The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1886-12-22
INTERESTING STORY.
TESTING HIS LOVE.

TESTING HIS LOVE.
Haddon Hall was grim old stone man,
sion, on the shores Of the Arkansas River.
In old times it had been built and in
habited by rich miser, who was suspected
Of having had something to do with the
West Indian slave trade. In due time he
died and was buried, and wealthy New
Orleans stock broker bought the place and
fitted it up like modern Aladdin's palace
His sudden failure threw il once more into
the market at bargain, and old Miss
Washington bought IL to set her two nieces
up in what she called " school-keepin' bust
ness"
You can do the teachin'," said Miss
Washington, who was a native of the State
of Maine, and I'll send in the yictuals
and provisioning from my farm jest out of
NOrleans. Don't be afraid of askin' bang
up prices. These people don't believe
they will sarved unless you charge 'em
roundly for 1t. Put lot of advertisements
IN the paper; make deal o. fuss, and
you'll be pretty sartain to succeed
Miss Burnett, aid Miss Lola, her sister,
took their aunt's advice--and succeeded.
The grand drawing-room was turned into a
series of recitation-halls; the guest-cham
bers became dormitories; the dining-roorn,
With Its high ceilings and stained glass
windows, served exceIlently well as a
MUSHROOM, and the monster conservatory
was transformed into a gymnasium. II
was accomplished with little money and
great many promises, but 1t proved a sue
cess.
And in one of these pretty little class
rooms sat Mr.. Clinton, the drawing-master.
" touching up some of the imperfections
of the pupils sketches, while Miss Lola
Burnett, the younger of the two principals,
was at an opposite table, making out some
of the semi-annual bills of the establish
nent.
You don't mean to say, Hugh" said
Miss Lola, pretty little woman, wearing
her gray hair in soft, silver puffs, and a
pair of eye glasses balanced on her fine
Roman nose, that you have actually been
and made love to the child-here this
house 2"
Where should l make love to her, a.
not here ?" said Mr.. Clinton, composedly
sharpening his pencil. $ Yes, that's lust
exactly what I've done"
Well, upon my word" said Miss Lola,
"you are brave man TO confess it.n
Why shouldn't I make love to her ?''
rather Indignantly demanded the drawing.
master. &" am gentlemsn--am not p
even If am an artist. / haven't always
taught perspective to lot Of stupid school,
girls, and don't propose to keep doing it
forever"
Miss Lola looked sharply at him.
do you love the girl ?" said she.
"Of course / love her. Should / have
wooed her else ?"
Hugh Clinton leaned back in his chair
with folded arms. The pencils and india
rubbers might take care of themselves now.
He was handsome, dark-eyed, dark
proved young Southerner. with straight
features, o little figure, and seai-ring on
his little finger. Reduced gentleman"
was in every feature Of his face, every line
Of his symmetrical young frame.
"well," said Miss Lola, slowly. she is
pretty, don't deny that"
Pretty /" cried out Clinton. :" She is
as beautiful as an ANGEL"
"0h, come now" laughed Miss Lola,
"don't go to talking sentiment here Sup
pose my sister should come in ?"
At this unwelcome supposition, Mr.. olin-
ton made little grimace.
Annie is under my CHARGE" said Miss
Lola. Her parents left her here. And
I'm not going to betray their trust"
/" But you know me to be gentleman
and a man of honor I" cried the drawing
master When my Uncle Preston dies
and he is bed-ridden paralytic now--I
shall be rich. And I ruppose-"
"Stopi" said Miss Lola, nibbling the
feather Of her pen-for she still used the
quaint, old-fashionsd quilts that belong to
prior age. You're not calculating on
her money!
81 don't know whether she has got
money or not. And don't care ~ tartly
answered Mr.. Clinton, twisting delicate
eraser to and fro.
+" Because don't know whether ought
to tell you or not" hesitated Miss Lola.
III it is anything that concerns Annie
Muirfeld," said Mr. Clinton, the secret
will be as safe with me a. with yourself"
She is very sweet girl" said Miss
Lola But the Chntons are among the
best Of the Louisians families and mind
you, this is strictly confidential between us,
Hugh--her father works by the day. and
her mother is housekeeper in . Northern
family"
Hugh started up.
"You never told me this before" said
he.
"But tell you now, Hugh. A man
shouldn't take the most important step in
life without seriously considering the mat
ter, and moving I'll the particulars Of ths
casa.D