Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1888-11-15

"A a, no, cea't do that. Don't you see
It would seem "a il just wanted him 70
come back in time to get her money?
Don's ask me, l can't indeed
Old Mrs. Frost fingered en- and cot bet
ter, az old people 80 often DO when they
are expected to die; and one day, when
she was able go sit up in bed. she sent for
Miss FSnraine aud Amabel Gray to come
70 see her. The old maid went at once,
with good deal of nervous trembling;
the young one came near not going at all.
but proud desire TO show her enemy
that she was not afraid OF her, also went at
the appointed hour.
Elizabeth Fontaine,n cried the sick
woman, as soon as the old maids fussy
bonnef-top appeared above the horizon,
what In the name Of all the saints do
you mean by meddli1g with my sFairsS
Haven't got along pretty vsll without
your help for nigh eighty years? / have
a mind 70 shake you till your frossy hair
stands on end
"Don't abuse my hair, Cousin Sarah,r
ssid the medjler, glad 10 create a diver
sion, 'for as the old uursury rhyme says:
God has made them ao.'"
"Aud / suppose youll tell me that He
made you busyhOdy sbout other peo-
pies matters. Wen, all I've got 10 sey is,
pretty spot OF work He mace Of you. If
| choose TO die here 10y myself, what is
that to yong'
ITS nothing to ms when l see you in
such fair way TO get we'll, Cousin Sarah
-Miss Fontaine was not easily brow.
beaten-butiti s a great deal to me when
yea are Ill; so much that I promise you
tot to leave one stone unturned TO bring
Lewis home TO take care of you"
"Ha, Lewis! Your guilty conscience
brings you TO the confessional ut once.
Well, Busy Fontaine l hate your busy
ways, but I must suy you are woman of
spirit, and admire you for that. I've
sent for that red haired girl who has
made 8 fool of Lewis, but I've nc idea
Shelf venture within the sound Of my
voice"
At this moment Mrs, Frosts soft foot,
ed maid opened The door and announced;
"Miss Amabel Gray, madam"
To Miss tOntaine's infinite omuse-
m5nt the old lady was quite abashed
and sufficiently thrown off her guard to
offer her visitor seat in q tone almost
courteous. Perhaps il was because she
had just expressed her conviction that
the girl would not come but it is more
likely that it was the unexpected effect
of Amabels stately young beauty upon
her. Amy was simply but richly dressed,
and carried herself with the grace and
dignity Of a young princess. She bowed
in distant acknowledgement OF her hostess
reception, and said, in tone of Geld in
difference, that she had come in accord
ance With the request received from Mrs.
Frost the day before.
"Yes," cried the old lady, shaking Of
her unusual backwardness, 81 sent for
you TO read you letter; did you bring
one in your pocketY"
81 did not, madam" answered the girl;
she did not abate one jot of the duchess
in her-owa right air, but Miss Fontaine's
keen eye cav a tell-tale spot of color rise
in each cheek. Evidently Amy held the
cue to the grandmother mystery. The
old maid gave herself little pinch
through her glove. "Why couldn't you
let this mess alone, Busy Fontane" che
questioned herself, severely; you've
gone and PIT your foot in it, sures you
are born.
"But you've got one that wasn't intend.
ed for yen" pursued the keen-eyed old
lady, peering under Amabel's soft
brimmed leghorn. Miss Grsy's silence
was not the sort that gives consent; the
elevation of her chin said plainly:
'I do rot answer impertinent ques-
tions."
ooh, very we'll" said Mrs. Frost, after
waiting for the answer that was not
forthcoming, 'if you can keep what
comes to you, so l suppose can t." and
she drew from little escritoite At her
side bulky looking envelope, addressed,
as her visitors could see as she held it up,
to Mrs. Sarah Sorrel Frost, in g large,
clear hand.
''YOu n ust know" she said, her dan
ger0us looking eyes twinklirg with grim
humos, chat my CORES pendent is very
fond of mt; perhaps you will think him
extravagantly fond of such an ugly old
woman. But hear this letter. He be
gins. Ny precious darling She
stopped ana glanced at Miss Gray and
The girl gave an irrepressible little start
forward, as if to seize the letter, but re-
strained herself and sat not only quiet
now, but rigid, like some young Indian
brave undergoing torture.
81 have Just received" continued the
reader, "a letter from that dear, meodie-
some old maid, Miss Busy Fontatne.
There was another iit'ie silence, while
the invalid paused 20 enjoy Miss Fon-
taine's dire confusion. "She says my
grandmother is very III and begs me to
come back TO her. VOC may imagine
what perpexitg this throws me into. To
come back nov brands me IN the eyes Of
he world, mean my world OF friends
aud gcqu intances in Granville, e. msr-
cenary wretch, who is not Wiling 20 be
recohciled 20 his only relation short Of
5000 COO" ("Humph. he rates it high"
4cuiated the reader.) "Aud | am not
indifferent to the opinion held OF the
man whom the sweetest woman who
e'er drew breath has promi ed TO mar
rs" MISS Amabe's hands we're
olenched In the lace folds of her gowr
but she gave no other sign Aud
yet, | despise MYSELF Cor stopping TO
thtuk OF self, or any thing except my
dear old granny, sick aud alone. For
/ DO love her dearly for all she has been
to M, and | sm coming, dearest; will
reach Granville slmos as soon 90 this
does. trust may be able 10 roothu her
last day As far rs he money, do not be-
ttaua g. Gill have any trpnhie abDpt hat.