Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1886-09-18
Mrs. ArbuthnOt's Postal Cards.
ERAsCIs z wADELIoHr.


Friends Of the two girls often thought
it was a great pity that Mrs. Arbuthnot
and her husband had been appointed sole
guardians Of Jasper Nevins' nieces, with
full care Of their money as we'll as of the
girls themselves; for MIR. Arbuthnot,
though a good well-meaning man, was
as clay in his acute wife's hands, an all
who knew her knew that money was the
one thing she wOrshiped-
In her way, she was fond Of these
girls, whose mother had been her favor
tie sif ter, and she gave them a happy
home-happy, that is, until the ever
troublesome question about lovers began
70 arise.
Lilias Nevins was but little more than
a year older than her sister Minnie, and
the two were as united as twins could
have been; rather too much united on
one point for the comfort Of their Aunt
Hettie, as they called Mrs. ArbuthnOt,
and that was their opinion OF Frank Car
Toll and Felipe Marscal.
~ do declare, Lilias." said Minnie one
night after they had retired to their room
for the night: At cannot comprehend
why Aunt Hettie so dOtes on Mr.. Marsi-
cal; he is as sallow and then as any man
can possibly be; he hasn't two words to
say for himself; he is not particularly
polite to auntie-why does she like him
so muchP'
ait is clear enough to me-" replied
Lilias. 1sYoE know Aunt Hettie was
really very poor when she was young,
and she breads poverty for us; she hon
estly thinks she is acting for my good In
giving the cold shoulder to Frank Car
roll because he is a poor young book
keeper while this Mariscal has heaps Of
money and fine estates in Mexico. At
first really did believe that his reputed
fortune and position were all humbug,
but now that auntie's inquiries have
proved him to be all he pretends to to
be, am not quite 80 uncivil to him as
I was at first"
'The worst Of the affair is that fear
that Mr.. Mariscal intends to propose
right OF. I Judge so from a word or
two he said to uncle tonight, Just before
he left us. heard uncle say: If ny
wife we're here she could answer you
better than I I Will tell her about it
when she returns from the party she has
gone to, and she will write you tO-mOr-
row. To what but a proposal could he
have referredY'
''Well. viii not marry himr' replied
Ililias determinedly; an say no right
at the altar first; III elope with Frank
first"
"If you marry against auntie's wishes
remember you forfeit all your share Of
the money, and Frank is not Eich," ans
Wered Minnie, warningly."
"Oh, dear, so I do; well am In fix
Come, let's go to bed and try to dream
OF some way of softening auntie's heart, i"
said Lihas, YEARLY, commencing to I'M
dress. "Why where's my watch? 1 be-
ieve left it on the library table, and
am in my bare feet Minnie, do you
mind going down for itY'
Not shell Neither of the girls was one
bit 6mid, so Minnie who had not began
to undress, ran to the library for the
watch. She was gone some minutes, and
Ililias was Just beginning to be alarmed
about her when she returned, apOlOgizing
for her delay, saying that the evening
paper had caught her eye, and she Paus-
cd long enough to read the deaths and
marriages as any girl would.
The next morning Mrs. Arbuthnot said
calmly, as if she were saying nothing at
all odd:
81 Will want you to go into the city
with me by and by Lilias, to select some
new bonnets and dresses, we may as Well
begin to prepare for your Wedding"
"FOr my weddingP gasPed Lilias in
surprise.
Certainly; you must know that Mr..
Marshal has been serious in the atten-
tons he has been paying you these last
three months; your manner to him has
been such that 1 considered that he and
1 and everyone are justified in taking it
for granted that YOU are ready to become
his wife. The wedding must take place
quite soon for he told my husband last
night that some matters concerning his
Mexican estate makes it necessary for
him to return home within month, and
he desires to take his wife with him.
"Really, auntie, think he might give
me a little say In the matter" cried
Lilias in vexatiOn; but said no more be-
cause Minnie trOd on her foot In a very
significant way, and gave her winA
which certainly meant keep quiet.
Lilias understood all her sisters signals,
for Minnie, though the younger, had
much more discretion and acuteness than
impulsive Lihas. Exactly what plan
Minnie now had she could not imagine
still she thought she would not spoil II
DO saying too much.
"Buy your clothes and don't contra
dict auDtie," said Minnie, by the deaf
and-dumb alphabet; their aunt was moi
looking her way.
'tYou should rememember it is not the
custom in his country for young man
to speak of his intentions to any girl IN
I'll her guardians have been consulted
and have given their approval to his pro
posaI; so like a we'll bred Mexican, he has
come to me and obtained my opinion
about his suit, 4" replied Mrs. ArbuthnOt
aAnd Of course you can not 60 back
OF your wOrdY' suggested Minnie, In.
Hinuatingly.
'AGost certainly not ] shall abide by
what 1 have written to 18th Mr.. Marisca
ard Frank Carroll; if they aIs not suited
with what wIOte I can not help i.
viii abide by my decision, and so have
told your uncle ArbuthnOt, SO that II
case I do not get home from my trip Il
Paris before the very latest date set II
my letter, the wedding must go on with
out me-or else you, Lilias, VII be
pauper."
l,Idlias is so impulsive, you know
Aunt Hettie, that 1 do wish you woule
write that down so she viii not forget,
suggested Minnie, handing a sheet o
paper to Mre. ArbuthnOt and then with
drawing it, adding, Suppose / write
and let You sign it, as you say your eye
trouble you to-day"
'sDo so, my deari my eyes are yer.