The Grenada gazette. (Grenada, Miss.) 1885-18??, 1886-05-29

my Dest In aWfully sorry I'm not
boy, uncle. i'll would please you; bu,
just let me stay awhile. and you'll sec
what a first-clAss substitute l am" re.
moving her hat and bowling with easy
grace. "But, dear me! How dull /,
is in here. Your fire wants a good
stirring up?' and seizing the poker she
attacked the GOALS in the CRATE with
an energy that seemed to imply she
would like to treat him in the same
fashion.
A bright blaze followed her vigorous
action, dancing on the walls, and
showing the bright hues of pictures
and furniture, despite the dust tina
covered them; bringing a CHEEKY look
too, even to Mr.. Doran's grim face.
"There" said Jack, giving a las
approving poke; "that's better. Now,
it l just open this window and let in
the sunshinc-so (suiting the action te
the word), you'll feel as bright al .
spring morning
The girl was like a May-das herself
futtering around the room as if waited
by invisible breezes, her bright face the
embodiment OF sunshine; and as the
lonely old man watched her light
fingers bringing order out of the on.
fusion that had reigned SO long, a quiz-
zical smile dawned on his face.
For a would-be boy, you seem to
know a good deal about such things"
he remarked, dryly.
"That's the mother-part of me-"
said Jack, as she settled the chairs
and furniture with a touch that only a
woman has.
Then she came and Shutdown on a foot
stool beside him, and, clasping her knee
with both hands, looked up with smil-
ing %audacity, saying:
you'd better let the stay awhile,
uncle; you'd be a great deal more COM
Portable"
There was deep anxiety beneath
the merry exterior, for she knew we'll
how vital her uncle's favor was. Her
mother was too delicate, her sisters too
line ladies to work. and the child (she
was not much more, in spite of her
seventeen years) felt as though the
burden of the family rested On her
shoulders. Her uncle was very wealthy,
and If he could only be brought to for
give her mother, what happy days
they would see. He had sent once for
her two sisters to spend a week at
Glenside. a step toward reconciliation
which her mother had hailed with
thankful joy; but, before the week was
out, he sent them both home, saying
he couldn't stand their fine airs; that,
since his sister had chosen to bring up
her family to such idle habits, he would
have nothing more to do with them.
The n longing of the Old mans heart
had been fer a son to bear his name.
That hope disappointed in the early
death of his wife, he had gradually
grown into the selfish, gloomy man
Jack found him this fair spring morn
ing.
There was something in her bright,
boyish face that fascinated him; and
now, with a warmth that surprised
himself, he said:
"Stay if you like, my child. It's a
dull place within doors; but there are
flowers and sunshine outside
1t was so much kinder than Jack
had dared hope that she could have
cried for joy.
"Oh, you dear uncle" she said; and
kissed his wrinkled old face with an
honest heartiness that he was quick to
feel.
"There, there he said, impatiently,
as if ashamed of the unwonted soft
ness he had shown; "go and tell cook
that you're going to stay, and that she
must give you Il room and see to your
meals. DO not be afraid if she's cross"
he added, somewhat anxiously. ''She
does not like trouble or work.
"l WON'T snid Jack. as she ran of.
Half an hour later she looked in the
door again, saying:
Come to lunch, Uncle Robert. Yes
Gas he stared at her in amazement), l
know cook always brought you just
what she liked up here, because she
did not want you downstairs. There
has been q skirmish, but It's all
right now. Come for my sake, please"
Mr.. Doran drew his dressing-gown
more closely around b m and followed
Jack down into the small breakfast
room, which she had chosen, because
it was much pleasanter than the great
oak-wa'nscoted dining-room. A most
tempting lunch was spread upon the
round table, and flowers were inter.
mingled with the dishes in profusion.
1t was pretty to see the air with which
she led heruncle to. his place, then took
her own opposite him, almost forget
ting-in her eagerness to serve him-to
the demands of her W healthy
appetite. ,
'Did cook do all this?" Mr.. Doran !
asked, with some curiosity. ,
''No," replied jack b~lushing. "She ,
wanted to take you up some smoky ;
soup, and because l said no she !
wouldn't do any thing else, so I did it !
Don't youlike it alp and she !,
OOkpl anxiouSlv Of him