The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1888-05-26

for my death would be rather hard lines.
eh, Blossomy
Blossom managed to nod her head, but
her face was turned away from her host, and
her father was surprised to see how pale it
was.
"Why, ava you like Casars wife," the
latter managed to ask in his old joking man.
ner. II Flossie lost her grip ut this crisis
the consequences would be more dramatic
than he cared to contemplate. But happily
the change from the dinng-room to the
beautiful library caused a change in the con
versation, and the victim of her own folly
had n chance to recover herself. II was a
long. strange evening, and one to be remcm-
bered while life lasted. The two men played
checkers, while the girl guest wandered
about among the books and pictures, steal
ing occasionally into the great drawing
rooms. and coming back again as white and
scared as If she had seen a ghost
"Will 1t be lonely for you, Blossom!" the
old gentleman asked, as she returned from
one of these excursions. "I've been think
ing" he added. without waiting for an an
swer, "that it'll make things about right II
/ can persuade your pa to come, too. He
has no one but you, and then 1 need some
business help, and it would be n hcarten-
ing thing to have n true friend at hand.o
90 dearl he is going to marry us both,"
muttered Flossc
"What do you say, judge'' Mr.. Nicklepod
went on. "Suppose You try 1t for year!
There Is no reason why this house can not
be home to you both in the truest sense of
the word. Do take pity on me, neighbors,
for believe am the lonesomest old vaga-
bond in the whole world"
"Judge Somerton, l wish was dead,''
said Flossie and then, seizng the trumpet,
she said, in broken tones: "Mr. Nicklepod
you arc an old angel, and papa don't know
what to say, and / am in just us bad Il state.
I'd love to live here with all these beautiful
things, and with you, so kind and generous,
and so would papa-that is, If he has u sim
gle sense left. And I made up my mind
would live here just because loved Jack
you know Jack-and he hadn't any money,
and he couldn't marry me in about ten
ages."
For mercy's sake, Floss" the judge put
in, imploringly, don't be n simpleton."
tits begun, and it has got 10 come" was
the girls quick answer "And, Mr.. Niclkle
pod, thought some time could take Jack
| lot of money-that is, If he would wait for
me-and didn't see how could really do
you any harm-that is, If you were truly
fond of me-"
"You are an honest, blessed girl" said the
old man, brushing away tear, "and am
truly fond Of you and truly desirous to pro-
mote your best interests. But, Blossom,
would no sooner marry you than l would
kill you Such wicked thought has never
crossed my mind You shall have two
fathers, Blossom, and you shall have Jack,
too; but not to marry him now, because you
are not old enough, and Jack hasn't had Il
chance to show what kind of stuff there is
in him yet. Five years from now, if he
proves worthy, you shall go to him with a
dowry Then we will have the jolliest we'd
ding that ever was, and will dance with
the bride"
For a moment there was utter silence in
the room, and then Flossie lifted her right
hand, and with characteristic movement
of her little forefinger, said into the trumpet
''You two men have had your heads to-
gether. That is as plain as the nose on youl
| face" giving her fathers nasal organ a little
tweals. "But, Papa Nicklepod, Judge Somer
ton and his daughter will be with you anon
and the way you will have to stand round
and mind the housekeeper will be q eau
tion."
"All right" said Mr.. Nicklepod; "give me
n kiss; and do wish l could tell you how
happy you have made mel"
The kiss was given, and it was no disgrace
to Flossie that her eyes overaowed witt
tears.-Eleanor Kirk, IN Leslie'S Weekly.