The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1886-11-04

FOR the WluOW ana ner Oaugnter
could scarcely afford to let any oppor-
tunity pass for turning an honest
penny.
.Oh, I'll 90 bail he's respectable, :"
said Mrs. Martin, evidently relieved by
Miss Dana's answer, 'for he's willing
to pay in advance.
Sylvia smiled little at the good
landlady's standard of respecta bility,
and went on in the fragrant midsum-
mer twilight moving as lightly as the
fre-fies that glimmered at her side.
Mr.. Martin brought up the guest next
morning, according to agreement made
by his buxom wife, and introduced him
as "Mr. Mainwaring"
Sylvia started and blushed when she
recognized her chance acquaintance at
the trout-sream, of the night before,
but she inclined her head courteously,
nevertheless, while Mr. Mainwaring
thought to himself that he had never in
Miss Dana.
II must sketch her head" he inward
ly pondered, though l don't believe
there is a tint in all my color-case cap
able of reproducing the golden burnish
on her hair. A perfect blonde, and yet
her eyes are dark and deep as liquid
wellsi How on earth came such a
royal little blossom to be wasting its
sweetness on the desert air of this out
of-the-way little village?"
So Mr. Mainwaring took possession
of the little chamber, with its curtained
dormer-window, its spare-bed smelling
OF dried rose-leaVes and lavender, and
dimity-covered furniture and cleanly-
secured board floor; for Mrs. Dana
and Sylvia had never dreamed of the
extravaganza of carpet in their best
bedroom" and almost before the
widow and her daughter knew it, he
had become an indispensable element
of the little family circle.
He helped Mrs. Dana train her april
cot espalier against the south garden
wall, and held skeins of sewing-silk for
Sylvia to wind, and brought back rare
bouquets of ferns and wild-fowers from
his fishing excursions, and taught Syl-
via how to copy them in crayons, and
insensibly became almost one of the
family.
Pm sure l don't know what we shall
do when Mr. Mainwaring is gone" Mrs.
Dana said for the weeks fishing had
gradually heightened itself out into
month. while Sylvia flushed and grew
pale, and went upstairs to get ball of
welting cord. and did not come down
again for long. long time.
But all pleasant things draw to ali
end, and so did Mr.. Mainwaring's So
journ among the peaceful shadows of
the sylvan hills.
The evening before his departure he
requested a special interview with Mrs.
Dana.
"Madame, be said, with the chival-
rous courtesy which seemed of right to
belong to him. Il have very great
FAVOR to ask of your
"a favorp" said the simple little
widow. Il suppose it's the receipt for
that cough medicine?"
mo. madame. it is not l want
to ask you for permission to marry
ITO marry SylviaP" Mrs. Dana be-
gan to tremble all over. But my
goodness, Mr.. Mainwaring, you're only
dry goods clerk; you can't afford to
marry"
Il said 1 was in the dry goods busi-
ness, madame, but not exactly a clerk.
! think | can support Miss Dana COM
fortably, and you also, madame, if you
will consent to grace our home with
your presence.
TO be sure. I've hundred a year
of my own," put in the widow, ''and
that would help along with the house
keeping"
Undoubtedly" Mr. Mainwaring
made answer with a quiet peculiar
smile.
"And when" began Mrs. Dana,
but Mainwaring interrupted her:
without loss of time. l should like
to take my bride with me when l return
to my home"
Mrs Dana turned, with a puzzled
face, to Sylvia, who just then entered.
This is very sudden. Sylvia"
"Very sudden, mammal
''But | like Mr.. Mainwaring"
so 90 l, mamma" laughed Sylvia,
rosy as a sunset cloud.
land we might have a cozy little
wedding with just few friends"
"Yes, mamma" Sylvia answered
dutifully; but the next morning, just as
Mrs Dana was taking her seat behind
the coffee Urn, MIR. Mainwaring and
Sylvia came in.
Dear me, childrenn' questioned the
widow; "where have you been?"
ITO be married, mamma" sobbed
Sylvia, hiding her face on her mothers
shoulder. ''For Charles must return
tonight, and / did not like to trouble
you with the responsibility of so sudden
a decision"
Married, child!" Mrs. Dana looked
from son to daughter in blank surprise.
"Well, perhaps It's just as well, for the
parlors are small, and we couldn't get
anything nice for the wedding break
fast"
Mamma always makes the best of
everything" laughed Sylvia.
So it was settled that Mrs Dana
should join her children just as soon as
the house could be let, and her modest
belongings packed up.
Il wonder if we shall ever meet your
uncle, my love" she said, as she helped
Sylvia to fold up her few simple dresses.
London is great city, mamma, you
must remember Sylvia answered.
1t was just a month afterwards that
Mrs. Dana was rolling in cozy
carriage from the railway-station to-
wards No. =, - street, MAYFAIR.
Il wonder what sort Of house they
live in" pondered the gentle little
widow, holding tight on to her bird
cage. Sylvia never has written me
anything about that. Most likely they
have got half house. or suite some
where. Young people just beginning
the world must plan moderately at
first; but l do hope he has been able to
give her set of cushioned chairs and a
substantial carpet. I'm glad brought
the old damask curtains; they'll make
nice lounge-cover, or something of the
sort. There's nothing like economy.
My goodness! what are we stopping at
this big house for?"
The coachman touched his hat.
please, ma am, we're here"
Mrs. Dana descended, in great sur
prise, and found herself the next mo-
i III