Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1888-04-27

Have you heard, Nellie, that my
uncle has cut me off in his willP" sale
Tom rather ruefully.
Yes" murmured Nellie, in voice
full of sympathy. my father told
me to-day. But" she added quickly
as her hand rested lovingly upon his
arm. ''need you care so much about it,
Tomp"
II won't care, Nellie, if you will
promise to be my wife. The time is up
when you were 10 give me your answer,
you know"
What followed was uttered too low
for any one to overhear, and after a
little they went into the house together.
"Well," said John Lawson to Tom
whom he had asked his consent to the
engagement. $50 you think you can
get along without the old man s
money, do youP'
yes" responded Tom. 81 should
rather make my own way than have it
said l waited for my uncle's money!
"Now," continued John Lawson,
Ignoring Toms remark, "know that
your uncle and courted the same girl
when we were young. happened to
be the favored one, and he
has held grudge against me
ever since. Now, l dol't mean
to go against you, remember, but
it seems to me you had better wait
until you are a little further ahead in
the world before taking wife. l
know Nellie has comfortable home
now, and she had better remain there
for the present. This is my advice and
my wish"
All the proud spirit within Toms
breast rose up in rebellion at this. He
understood now the full import of what
his uncle had said to him the day be-
fore, some of which had rather puzzled
aim at the time. But, remembering
where he was and to whom he was
speaking, for Nellie's sake he checked
the hasty words that came to his lips.
$50 l am to understand that you re-
fuse your consent to our engagement
said he, rising to take his leave. with
out making the slightest appeal in his
own behalf or wavering moment in
his determination.
II think it is as WE'LL" was John
Lawson's short answer, and he turned
again to his newspaper, as if every
thing had been settled to his satisfac-
ton. "Good-night." said he.
Goodnight, said Tom, as he pass-
I'd the veranda, where Nellie was
snxiously awaiting him.
30, l am so sorry" she exclaimed
when he had reported the interview,
II wish could do something"
$50 you can. darling. by keeping
your promise to be my wife. whatever
'omes," was his comforting assurance.
The answer was to his satisfaction, and
when they parted they had named their
trysting place.
The days that followed were happy
,nes for Tom Flint, and it was with a
lighter heart and step that he went
about the old mill, thinking but little
Of his financial troubles, for now he
had some one to share his anxiety and
make the burden lighter
Uncle Flint began to fail in health
and the brothers saw him more than
once in close conference with Lawyer
Hopkins and with Mr.. Wilkins the
banker, and they did not doubt but
he was arranging his will. He
would often be seen chucklng
20 himself as he rubbed his
hands on his knees while thinking
If his nephews, for Reuben and Seth
lad become more soiicitous since their
mcle had begun to show such signs of
weakness. Tom did not discontinue
his visits. but went as before, for, not
outstanding the displeasu.e depicted
IN his uncle's face when they m IT,
withal there was q warm spot in his
heart for the lonely old man.
Nearly year had passed and Tom
had married Nellie in spite of her
fathers opposition-which. however,
went no further than his protest-and
he risk of increasing his uncle's dis
pleasure. They had been settled in
neat little cottage on the high road
leading to the mill about two months
before Easter. The week before Uncle
Flint was very busy making his Gus
tomary preparation of the eggs in
tended for his nephews and their fam
lilies. This time there was an addition
10 the number. Thi, was one for Mel
lie, and when it came with Toms.
bearing her name in gilt letters like the
others, shs said as she haadled the
lainty shell: Il am SO glad. Wasn't it
nice of him to send me one, too. and
how beaut full he fixes them. never
had one like this before"
II have several, replied Tom. "that
he has sent m on previous Casters
have preserved them because they are
so odd aid the only things he ever
gave u.s." He was much pleased over
this offering by his uncle to Nellie, foy
n took it as a token of forgiveness, il
not of recon ciliat;on.