Richland beacon. [volume] (Rayville, La.) 1869-1890, 1888-03-31

kTpDNt5NlSSNNG2 .MeYfsn II g breakfaSt-table
aV = TN 1E where sat his father
Ell tERI l,Ea dipping into his cor
E'I F1G NM respondence VT
NJ IN M certain leafned so
81 r'EFM cic.fes in the in
Ia -. "A tervals of drinking
coffee and Getting toast and ham. Here.
n more dangerous enemy bearing down
upon us, dad, than the insects that have
threatened destruction to your cases o
beetles and butterflies
"Eh, whatl what is it2" demanded
Mr.. Lorrimore the elder. pushing w
his glasses and gazing anxiously at the
speaker. "Not the moth, Keithl You
don't mean that'"
"NUt one moth, but three; and ] an
afraid we shall find them difficult to dis.
lodge. Look here, dad, this letter is
from my cousin Tom-Doctor Tom, as
we call him-at Southampton, written
to warn us of our impending danger"
Don't talk riddles. Keith, pfay-it is
such waste of valuable time!' exclaimed
his father, testify. "But if you really
have any news fol whether good ol
bad-out with it. | have an essay tc
finish for the chronological that ought
to 60 off by next post"
Gall right, sir; I'll come and make q
fair copy Of it for you if you'll listen tc
me for the next five minutes, Dc you
remember among your distant-very
distant relatives, Mrs. Burton!'
"Bless me, yes, of course l do" re
spcnded Mr.. Lorrimore, after little
consideration. "a remarkably pretty
vivacious little creature, with the whites,
of teeth, and merry blue eyes sparkling
with fun. Why, Keith, I'm afraid that
thirty years ago was in love with An
ME Burton. But that was before
knew your sainted mother. Annie mar
ried tall, handsome fellow, who fell
into ill-health, and through someone's
erest-by-the by, 1 think it was mine
obtained q consulship at an Italian
seaport. Has he returned to England
"Mr. Burton has been dead for these
last six months-so says Tom in his let
ter. 1t is the widow who has com,
home, bringing her two marriageablt
daughters.
Dear me! do they resemble herr
murmured Mr.. Lorrimore, somewhat in
coherently. "Annie a widow-pOo
thing! Why she must be growing old
just say am sorry, will you; kind re
grets, you know, and all that: Wort
them nicely. Keith, nna join me in tn
study as socn az you can"
stop, sir, pray stop! You haven
heard all. Tom says this Mrs. Burtol
intends planting herself upon US. All
you may we'll stare! According to Tom
account, she is left in very indifferen
circumstances, and wants to get he
girls off her hands. They would have
better chance of marrying from a hous
like this than London lodging; an,
she appears to be shrewd woman, wht
considers the chances and avails hersel
of them whenever she can,
"But-but-bu women iii hi
house all at one time 1htolerable
And-nnd-end whom do / know tina
would relieve her of her daughters. NJ.
friends are all elderly professors, no
marrying men. There's you. Keith
certainly; you may be acquainted will
some young fellows who want wives"
"Thank you !or nothing, sir. retorte,
Keith, laughing, and yet vexed. 81 an
not at all inclined to assist in foistin,
on my acquaintances the dsrlings of
man9uvring mother.
"Well, then, write and decline Mrs
Buttons visit. Ciyily OF cvttrse."
impossible. That is, if Tom is cor
rect in saying that she bases her inten
tioh on an invite from you."
Nonsense .-nonsense. never aske,
her come here. Is it likely that shoul,
do anything so absurdl After living tn
life of an old bachelor ever since you
mother death, is il credible that eve
invited three women to come and turl
my house and my habits upside down
It must be one of your clever tricks
Master Keith"
''Seeing that I only returned from In
dia three months ago, and that for tn
purpose of recruiting my health, it ism
very probable, is it, Think again
father, because if you are quite positiv
that Mrs. Burton is speaking falsely W
will not have her here"
Mr.. Lorrimore grosned and ran hi
hands through his hair. There were
score of authorities to consult, and hal
a dozen notes to be added to that essa
before he could finish it, and timeega
aeeting with provoking rapidity.
Still he ransacked his memory, as we
rs the book of memoranda dotte
down to MD it, and presently looked n
again with rueful countenance.
"I'm afaid it's true, Keith; have jus
recollected that when someonc-nov
who could it have beenl-told me poo
Burton was deai-yes, / had heard o
nis death; how disgracefully forgetful
sm.-when they told me this I dashe
of q few lines Of coincidence to his poe
young-no; no, she is not young now,
she.0to his wife, and begged her t
make my house her home, and 80 ON. .
"Then, rs the children say, 'you'v
been and gone and done it! But snr
pose You did not propose turning th
Cedars into conSenient place fer MIR
Burton to enact her match-makin
schemes.
Certainly not, and il it can be pr
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