The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1885-05-16
FINDING A HOME.
BY HELEN WHITNEY CLARK.

my HE, II 4 never SIJtth az MS SliI-
nounced Miss Matilda Fennll. as she
briskly bit of the thread with which
she was basting a fiounce on a skirt OF
pearly gray cloth.
Miss Matilda looked az severely in
dignant as was compatible with her
plump, mild face, which was still falr
to look upon in state OF her "thlrty
ode" years; while her sister-in-law,
Mrs. Henrietta, looked supremely IN
different to whatever she might have
to say.
Mrs Fennil was quite the antipodes
OF her sister-in-law, being a snowy
brunette, with eyes that could look
demurely coquetish or spitefully
scornful, according to her mood.
you're a dom wrong, Henriettq.
an you know it " went on Miss NATL
la, "a takin' upwith this here stranger
man, an acshilly goin' to marry him,
when you I've been prOmised-an' you
know you have-to Nat NOrrOway fur
the last two year.
"Oh indeed :" shifted the widow
"Mebbe YOU can console Nat yourself,
seem you're 50 anxious to take mp
fur him
dts burning shame, so tbs, CON
tinued Miss Matilda, without noticing
the interruption. AN him away, off
in Maine, or Florida, or some o them
Western states, where there's Indians
and bears, Il diggin an n delvin' in
the mines, to git money enough to
marry you. You'd Orter be
ashamed
'Indians an bears a-diggin' an
dclvin'-te-he," Uttered Mrs Fcnnil.
aggravatingly. Thank you, Tilda.
amt agoin' to marry an Indian
nor a bear, neither
Now, you know / never said moth,
in OF the kind protested Tilda, IN
digantly. Il said Nat was diggin'
in the mines, an 50 ne is; an here
you're a-gom to marry this Mr..
What 's-hiS name
His name IS Mr.. Theocrastus
Beleyille," snapped the widow, tartly;
"an' ii you've got any more to say
agin him, you kin 90 some'rs else to
say it. This is my house, an if you
don't like my dom :, you needn't stay
under my ruff another day longer.
I've give you Il home here ever sence
Joe died, an amt a-gOin' to put up
with no preachin' from you"
I've done my sheer o. the work,
Henrietta" said Miss Tilda, mildly,
while Il suspicion OF tears started in
her gray eyes, AN | think I've earned
my vittles and clothes; but if you
don't want me any longer, | kin 90"
You'd have to 20, sooner or later,
anyhow" said the widow, slightly
modified by her sister-in-law's pacific
tones. "'Tain't no ways likely Theo-
I, III
with a poor relation at the very
start As for marryin' him, I'm a
dom the best kim for myself. He's
lust bought the incest house in town,
nm, furnished it complete, from garnet
to sullrr; and allus did want to live
in town. Tain no ways likely Nat'll
ever make a forchin out in the mines.
anyhow An, as | said before. when
| marry TheOcrastus you'll hey to
find another home; an you might as
we'll be a-lookin' out fur it now"
Miss Matilda finished sewing the
dounce on the pearl gray cloth, which
was to be the widow wedding dress.
and then betool herself to her own
room o have good cry, and think
over her future prospects.
Finding another home waa easier
SAID than done, and Miss Matilda was
naturally OF a timid. retiring DISPOSE
ton. notwithstanding the bold man
ner in which she had spoken hrl
mind on the present occasion.
But shewa not to be left long to her
own meditatiOns, for Mrs Henrietta
Fennil was not above asking a favor
OF her sister-in-law, though she had as
good as turned her out OF the house
half an hour before.
Il want You to 90 with me to see
the house, Tilda, she explained. trip.
ping into the room in her best dress
and hat bristhng with ostrich plumes
''TheOcrastus wanted me to meet him
and look over it, to see il it suits me
and OF course it wouldn't be proper
for me to 90 alone"
And Miss Matilda obligingly doomed
her black and white plaid shawl and
her old-fashioned hat, and accom-
panied her sister-in-law on her tour o
inspection.
Mr. Theocrastus Belleville was =
newcomer III the little village OF Grail
Orchard, but his recent purchase OF =
handsome house, and his apparently
ample supply OF money. We're sufficient
passport to the widows favor. auC
the wooing sped on rapidly
The house was 4 substantial brick
handsomely finished, with velver
hangings, Il dado handpainted pan
els and alCOVes.
The floors were covered with cush
iony carpets the windows hung witt
handsome curtains, the mantels GOV
cred with velvet lambreduns.
Mrs. Fennil was quite satisfied.
And now the cage Is ready. wher
can | claim the bird?" whisp,1eC
Theocrastus, tenderly. to the widow
while Miss Matilda sat at the further
end OF the room, looking forlornly ont
OF the window. why not right away
tomorrow persisted the anxious
sutton.
The widow looked modestK reluct.
ant, but finally allowed herself 10 he
persuaded, and the morrow was set
Tor the wedding dav. when suddenly
the nail door was thrown open. and
Nat Norroway strodeimperionsIy INFO
the room
The widow uttered little scream.
and chung to the arm OF her lover.
VINO looked as ii he had seen a ghost.
Nat stared coldly at them for "A mo
ment.
so 1t is true, slippery Bill, he said
q iast, And You have betrayed nv
trust ana stolen my promised wife. |
wish yon 10y OF yow prize. " he added.
eontcmptuouslv.
" hat do you mean, Mr.. Norro-
way cried the widow in alarm.
ms gentleman is Mr.. Theocrasrus
belleFll.e And what do YOU mean by
coming INTO his house this wav?"
Mr. Theocrastus BeIleyiIle-and
ms mouse retorted Nat. contemptu-
ousIy. This gentleman. as You call
nm, Is Mr. William Snuggs. alias Sim
perry BIll, and this house is mine. I
employed Inn as my agent to purchase