Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1889-05-03
A MYSTERIOUS ROBBER.
Why Aunt Cindy Spent tho 10th O,
March Away From Home.

"Oh, dcarr' walled Aunt Lucinda,
wringing her small wrinkled hands
pathetically; ito think that we shall
be obliged to spend the night In this
houser' She walked over TO the
window and looked out at the storm
that was raging without Sharp, cut
ting snow, that was almost hall, came
tearing down from the dull. low-hang-
ing sky, and. caught In tho grasp oil
the strong west wind, was driven past
like gigantic army OF soldiers. tall
and straight. marching on with regular
tread, their faces among the clouds.
There were occasional dashes OF rain,
just enough TO have made n tramp
abroad on such n night u most dis
agreeable undertaking.
There was a CHEEKY fire in the wide
mouthed. old-fashioned fireplace,
antique furniture occupied various
places and positions about the room.
some old pictures adorned the walls.
and the door leading to the next room
standing ajar. revealed the fact that
pleasant and comfortable sleeping
apartment was just beyond. As the
house was n large, ancient structure.
aud not at all ruinous. 1t is presumable
that there were other comfortable
chambers, not visible from the room
where our little group were congre-
gated.
There were four persons besides the
nervous little lady already mentioned;
three merry. glad-hearted girls. and
one tall, ilne-looking young man.
IL think you are unreasonable, Aunt
Cindy." said Dora Weston. who was
holding a skoin OF bright-colored yarn
for her sister Alice to wind. Il think
this is.the lovcliest old place imngin.
able. and am delighted when an In.
vilation from your dear, charming
self calls mo here. Ralph just dotea
on the place; don't you. Ralphp"
The young gentleman appealed to
smiled across at his vivacious sis
ter and answered in the afflrma-
flrmative. without having understood
her remark. He was holding seri-
ously important conversation with
Aunt Lucinda's companion, quiet
girl with large. soft eyes, and they
were standing in one OF the deep win.
dows, far removed from the rest. He
was just saying:
al know that you are content with
your situation. Leila, but / do not
think you would be unhappy with the
one l have to Offer" Then. more
seriously: 20 Leila. forget your
scruples, and be my wife now. You
have said that you love me-"
She laid one fair, shapely hand Oh
his arm, and lifted her earnest young
face, all a-quiver with tenderness, To
his as she replied:
believe me, Ralph, I am fully con.
vinced that it is best for us to walt q
year or two until you have established
good practice"
'I did not know you were so mer.
cenary; thought you loved me for
myself" he said, a trine irritably; and
while he had no intention OF permit
ting his light words TO sound as If they
were seriously meant, still there was
an undertone OF displeasure he failed
TO disguise.
A grieved look swept across her
face. i.is
al think 1t is best she replied.
soberly, land beliove me, Ralph, am
only thinking OF you in my decision
You have never known want, and you
can not anticipate correctly all OF Its
pricks and stings. You do not know
how tedious will be the hill you must
climb unaided. Your fathers recent
failure makes it necessary for you to
put your shoulder to the wheel and
earn the bread you cat / know what
this means, you do not; and feel that
| can better help you by remaining
Miss Lucinda's companion for another
year She pays me good salary, and
my tastes are not extravagant."
'.But fathers failure did not come
until had graduatej," urged the
young man. with good medical
diploma, a young man ought to make
q comfortable living for .wo.n
"He ought; but, Ralph dear. no is
not certain OF 1t until he has tried, and
there are many things, office fixtures.
etc. needed in the start, that will
take all OF your ready cash. There
would be nothing lait to commence
housekeeping with. and should
become frantic at the expense of
boarding while you were struggling,
along to get start Please, dear"
with a pretty appealing gesture, "dol
not urge me. Ireally think 1t Is best
for me to stay with Miss Lucinda for