Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1885-12-17

dine with you Inursday-anu Oy tne
way, he vows he shall take me with
him. He is terribly excited for some
reason. Forgive my mentioning it,
Miss Moore, but he actually command
ed me TO fall in love with you this very
day"-and aside-'confound me If l
haven't 10
| A blush suffused Jennie's cheeks as
this talkative young man made the last
remark.
at will be hard" she said, to enter.
tain guests in our scantily furnished
house; but as Mr.. Briggs is so deter
mined, and has been 80 kind To us, OF
course you are invited"
"And will certainly accept the invi-
tation," responded Harry. promptly.
81 hope, Miss Moore, that our friend
ship may commence now. Can I not
haye the pleasure of accompanying you
home ?"
III you wish, sir" Jennie respond
ed timidly but the long absent roses
illuminated her pale cheeks. and
glad thrill swept through her whole
frame; for she could not look upon that
handsome, manly fellow but to admire
| him.
The eccentricities of "uncle" were
fully discussed and commented on, and
Harry casually mentioned the fact that
Mr.. Briggs had declared that Jennie
would also call him "uncle" within a
week.
OF course jennie could not fail to
understand this startling Iasihuation,
and though her heart futtered and beat
faster with delight. she sharply censur-
ed Harry's undue freedom of speech.
Thus they, or rather Harry, chatted
gaily until her abode was reached. To
be sure it was a rickety old house, in
the poorest part of the city, but our
loye- smitten hero could see nothing Of
the evidences Of poverty with that
beautiful face before him, with those
pleading eyes upturned to his.
At last Harry returned to the Office,
only to find that his partner had not
yet returned.
'By Jove I" muttered he. throwing
himself languidly into an easy chair.
"I have surely met my fate. Unques-
tionably the most beautiful face have
eyer seen. She shall call him "uncle',
If not within a week, at least within
a year. But:I must restrain myself, or
l shall propose marriage before l have
known her three days. 1t is consoling
however, to have reason to think that
my love may be reclprocated."
When Mr.. Briggs returned an hour
later, Harry noticed that he was very
much excited.
"Well, UNCLE" said he, carelessly,
''you have picked up an important
case, suppose"
$50 have, my boy so I have-but
not such case as you imagine. Was
Miss Moore here ?"
"Yes sir, about two hours ago"
'Did you tell her to be sure to expect
US on Thursday P''
II did. But sir, what in the world
induces you to compel this poor lady to
squander all her hard earned money for
the sake. Of giving you an elaborate
dinner ?"
''Humph ! You'll see, my boy :"
and Attorney Briggs actually chuckled;
then he asked shortly, "What do you
think of the girl.p"
81 cannot give my opinion of the
young lady on so short an acquaint-
ance," answered Harry, evasively, but
added, "My first impressions, are, how.
ever, decidedly favorable to Miss Moore.
You seem to be anxious for a
match. uncle"
''Maybe I am !" snapped the old
man. ''Do you know I've just finish
ed ordering coal, -four, groceries, and
everything else could think Of, to be
sent to Sarah's-that is, Mrs. Moore's
house. Been three hours at it-not
through yet. Must haye. largest turkey
in the city for Thursdays dinner.''
And Mr.. Briggs bounced out of the
room as if shot from cannon. Harry
stared after him, amazement depicted
on his countenance.
"Whew - he whistled, "that sure
ly isn't old Uncle Benjamin Briggs
Well, Pm glad that he has at last open
ed his cold heart to pity, particularly
as take decided interest in the well
fare of Miss Moore"
1t was a clear case of love at first
sight.
At last Thursday came. Harry was
surprised to see Mr.. Briggs attired in a
new dress suit, with his cheeks glow
ing BEAUTIFULLY, and certainly not the
shadow of frown about his sparkling
eyes.
Jennie had been to the office after
receiving Mr.. Briggs gifts, to thank
him personally for his kindness A; and
now when they arrived at the house,
their glad benefactor was again over.
l. - \