The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1888-05-26

eh!' and now the millionaire's face WA
fairly radiant.
''That ought to be satisfactory" said III,
Judge; "but there are those who wouI,
abuse such broad privileges-and one !
them is not so very far off, elther,nb
added, under his breath.
perhaps but Blossom wouldn't be On,
Of that kind. No, indeed; am sure :
Blossom"
The Judge shook his head "sidewaysn th.
time. 1t seemed an involuntary movemcot
"Can't you circumlocute to how old he /
papam said naughty Flossie.
81 was telling Neighbor Davis this mon
ing" the host began as if in answer to he,
question, ''that l really look older than
am, being only seventy-two last week.
"You are in for it." the judge remarka5
as the speaker paused moment to fill HI
glass. Feel of your ears, Floss, and lear
for yourself if they haven't grown"
''My father" Mr.. Nicklepod resumed
''lived to be ninety-six, and then died finn
an accident. My mother was in her nine
tieth year when she passed away. In fat
we are ve'y long-lived race, though w
seem to age early"
According to precedent, twenty years al
least" said the judge.
''The reason l haven't married agar. ntbf
millionaire went on, ''is because | cmlf
never bring myself to believe that ANYONE
whom l cared for could ever care forma
and to have wife whose constant wish was
for my death would be rather hard lines
Ell, Blossom?"
Blossom managed to nod her heSd m,t
her face was turned away from her hoA N
her father was surprised to see -hoyxe5. "
| was.
"Why, are you like Caesars wifeV ne
latter managed to ask, in his old Joking
ner If Flossie lost her grip at thi$risis
the consequences would be more dJrnatic
than he cared to contemplate. ButAppily
the change from the dining-roomto the
beautiful library caused change iuhe CON
versation, and the victim of her on folly
had u chance to recover herself 1t was a
long, strange evening, and one to bremem-
bered while life lasted. The two mn played
checkers, while the girl guest wandered
about among the books and pictfes, steal
ing occasionally into the great drawing
| rooms, and coming back again aEHhite and
scared as if she had seen a ghost
"Will it be lonely for you, Bl6om?" the
old gentleman asked, as she refined from
one of these excursions. 'I'vebeen think
ing" he added, without waitintfor an an
swer, "that it'll make things atut right if
[ can persuade your pa to cole, too He
has no one but you, and then lneed some
business help, and it would b hearten-
ing thing to have true friendt hand"
40, dearl he is going to mary us both, "
muttered Flossie.
"What do you say, iudge?" M. Nicklepod
went on. Suppose you try iifor a year!
There is no reason why this hase can not
be home to you both in the trest sense OF
the word. Do take pity on m neighbors,
for l believe am the lonesomst old vaga-
bond in the whole world"
Judge Somerton, 1 wish Twas dead,
said Flossie; and then, Selling he trumpet
she said, in broken tones: M Nicl1lepod
you are an old angel, and papa don't know
what to say, and l am in just al bad state
I'd love to live here with all thee beautiful
things, and with you, so kind AID generous
and so would papa-that is, if h has sin
gle sense left. And l made VI my mind
would live here just because / bved jack
you know Jack-and he hadn't any money
and he couldn't marry me il about te;
ages"
For mercy's sake, Floss" the judge pa
in, imploringly, don't be simpleton.1
'It's begun, and it has got to comet wa
the girls quick answer. sand, Mr., eS<As
pod / thought some time could tahe Jdc
a lot of money--that is, if he would wait 70
me-and / didn't see how could really d.
you any harm-that is, if you were trul,
fond of me.n
"You are an honest, blessed girl" said tn
old man, brushing away tear, land an
truly fond of you, and truly DESTROYS to pre-
mote your best interests. But, Blossom,
would no sooner marry you than woul
kill you. Such a wicked thought has neve
crossed my mind. You shall have tw
fathers, Blossom, and you shall have Jacl
too; but not to marry him now, because yo
are not old enough, and Jack hasn't had
chance to show what kind of stuff there
in him yet. Five years from now, if h
proves worthy, you shall go to him with
dOwry. Then we will have the jolliest wee
ding that ever was, and l will dance wit
the bride.''
For moment there was utter silence i
the room, and then Flossie lifted her RICH
hand, and with a characteristic movemer
of her little forefnger, said into the trumpet
'You two men have had your heads tt
gether. That is as plain as the nose on you
face giving her fathers nasal organ littl
tweak. But, Papa Nicklepod, Judge Some
ton and his daughter will be with you anol
and the way you will have to stand roun
and mind the housekeeper will be cal
ton"
"All right" said Mr.. Nicllepod; ''give N
| a kiss; and do wish could tell you ho'
happy you have made mer
The kiss was given, and it was no disgrac
| to Flossie that her eyes overhowed wit
| tears = Eleanor Rirk IL, IesIie;s LVeeLy,i