Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1886-09-02
MRS. ARBUrHNoT's POSTAL CARDS.
BY FRANCIS e. wAULEIGH.
Boston Traveller.


If was a great pity that Mrs. Arbuthnot
and her husband had been appointed sole
guardians of Jasper Nevines' nieces, with
full care of the money as well as the girls
themselves: for Mr. Arbuthnot though a
good, well meaning man, was as clay in
his acute wife's hands, and all who knew
her, knew that money was the one thing
she wOrshipped
In her way she was fond of these girls;
whose mother had been her favorite sis
ter. and she gave them a happy home
happy, that is, until the ever troublesome
question about lovers began TO arise.
Lilias Neyins was but year older than
her sister Minnie, and the two were IN
united as twins could have BEEN rather
too much united on one point for the
comfort of their aunt Hettie, as they call
ed Mrs Arbuthnot, and that was their
opinion Of Frank Carroll and Felipe Mar
iscal.
az do declare Lilias," said Minnie one
night after they had retired to their room
for the night, II cannot comprehend why
Aunt Hettie so dotes on Mr.. Mariscal; he
is as sallow and thin as any man can
possibly be; he hasn't two words to say
for himself he is no particularly polite
to auntie-why does she like him so
muchf"
at is clear enough to me-" replied
Lilias. "You know Aunt Hettie was really
very poor whom she was young, and she
breads poverty for us; she honestly thinks
she is acting for my good in giving the
cold shoulders to Frank Carol because he
is poor young book keeper, while this
kaa han 81 a f,o
tates in Mexico. At first | really did be-
lieve that his reputed fortune and position
were all humbug, but now that aunties in
quiries have proved him to be all he pre-
tends to be, | am not quite so unciyil to
him as | was at first
1.-The worst of the affair is that | fear
that Mr.. Mariscal intends to propose right
OFF. | Judge SO from word or two he
said tC uncle tonight, iust before he left
us. | heard uncle say: If my wife were
here she could answer you better than |;
will tell her about ii when she returns
from the party she has gone to, and she
will write you tomorrow To what but
proposal could he have REFEREED
well | will not marry him!'' exclaimed
Lillias determinedly; an say no right
mt the altar first; III elope with Frank
first!"
"If you marry against aunties wishes
remember you forfeit all your share of the
money and Frank is not rich answered
Minnie, warniugly.
"Oh dear, SO | do; we'll am in fix,
Come, let's go to bed and try to dream of
some way of softening aunhes heart
said Lilias YEARLY, commencing to un-
dress. "Why, where's my watchy l do
believe left it on the library table, and
am in my bare feet Minnie, do you mind
going down for it ~
Not she Neither of the girls was one
bit tlmid, so Minnie, who had not begun
to undrcss, ran to the library for the
watch. She was gone some minutes, and
Lilias 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 paused
long enough TO read over the deaths and
marriages just rs any girl would.
The next morning Mrs. Arbuthuot said
calmly, as if abe We're saying nothing at
all odd:
II will want you to 60 into the city with
me by-and-by, Lilias, to select some new
bonnets and dresses; we may as we'll begin
to prepare for your wedding"
For my wedding gasped Lilias in
surprise.
Certainly; you must know that MIR.
Mariscal has been serious in the attention
he has been paying to you THESE last three
months; your manner to him has been
such that | considered that he and | and
every one are justified in taking it for
granted that you are ready to bedome his
t,ly ~.
soon, for he told my husband last night
that some matters concerning his Mexican
estates make it necessary for him to re-
turn home within n month, and he desires
to take his wife with him.
Really, auntie, | think he might give
me little say in the matter cried Lilias
in vexation; but said no more because
Minnie trod on her foot in very signih
cant way, and gave her wink which Ger
tainly meant keep quiet Lilias under.
stood all her sisters signals for Minnie
though :he younger, had much more dis
erection and acuteness than impulsiyl
Iilias. Exactly what plan Minnie now
had she could not immagine, still sh,
thought she would not spoil il 10y saying
two much
buy your clothes and don't contradict
auntie," said Minnie, by the deaf and
dumb alphabet; their aunt was not look
ing her way
You should remember il is not the
custom in this country for young man
to epeak Of his intentions to any girl uu
tai her guardians have been consulted
and have given their approval TO hi.
proposals SO like we'll bred Mexican
he has come 20 me and obtained my on