Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1889-12-06

intention OF calling on Aunt Agatha that
afternoon, after which she promised TO
speak to me again; and feeling that things
were in a fair way OF being settled accord
ing To my wishes, left the house with y
lighter heart than had entered it
CRATER Iv.-MERLEs LAST KvESISs AT
HOME.
so it is all settled, Merler
"Nes, Aunt Agatha" l returned, brisk
ly. for she spoke in lugubrious voice;
and as ono sad face WAS enough beside
the family hearth, l assumed tolerahly
cheerful aspect II only Aunt Agatha's
eyes would not look at me SO teuderlyl
Poor childr' she sighed; aud then as
remained silent, she continued, in few
minutes, II wish could reconcile myself
more to the idea, but | cannot help feel
ing preSentiment that you will live to
repent this strange step you are taking"
found this speech a little dampenins.
but bore it without fnchiug. Que can
never set out down some new road with
out a few friendly missiles fyinE about
ones ears. "Rememher, told Yea such
and such thing would happen IL Won did
not take my advice | am only warning
you for your good" Alas. that ones
utSISSi illtllNl Siipull ht Transformed lult
teasing gaddy, What can one do but go
straight across the encmy's country, when
the boats are destroyed behind one' l al.
ways did think that grand action on
Nenophon's part
You have not given me your opinion
of my new mistress" was my wicked re-
jonder.
Aunt Agatha drew herself up at this
aud on hnp ttNpv
need not go out Of your way to vex me,
Merle, am sufficiently Inundated with.
out that"
Aunt Agatha" l reconstructed; for
this was too much for my forebearance.
do you think would do anything TO vex
you when we are to part in few daysf
Oh, you dear, silly womaul' for shs was
actually crying. 81 am only longing to
know what you think OF Mrs. Morton"
She is perfectly lovely, Merle, she re-
turned. drying her eyes, as | kissed and
coaxed her Il very nearly fell in love
with her myself. liked the simple way
in which she sat down and talked to mo
about my old pupils, making herself
quite at home in our little drawing-room.
and | was much pleased with her manner
when she spoke about you; it WAS slmost
pity you came into the room just then"
| 81 left you alone for nearly half an hour;
| please to remember that"
Indeed! il did not seem nearly so long.
Half an hourl And it passed SO quickly.
too. Well, must say Mrs. Morton is .
most interesting woman; she is full OF In
telligence, and yet so gentle. She has lost
her baby-did she tell you thatf-only
four months ago, aud her husband does
not like her to wear mourning She In
devoted wife. can see that: but have a
notion that You will have some difficulty
in satisfying Mr.. Morton; he is very par
ticular. and hard to please"
al have found out that for myself; he Is
q man of strong pre- judices."
"Well, you must do your best to concil-
late him; tact goes long way in these
cases. Mrs. Morton has evidently taken q
fancy to you, Merle. She told me over
again how her baby boy had made friends
with you at once; she said your manner
was very frank and winning, and though
you looked young, you seemed very stsid
and self-reiant."
II wish Uncle Keith had heard that.
Did she say any more about me, Aunt
Agatha2"
No, you interrupted us at that point.
and the conversation became more gensr-
al; but, my dear, | must scold you about
one thing; how absurd you were to insist
on wearing caps, Mrs. Morton was quite
embarrassed; she said she would never
have mentioned such thing"
But | have set my heart on wearing
them, Aunt Agatha" / returned, very
quickly: "you have no idea how nice |
shall look in neat bib apron over my
dark print gown, and regular cap, such
as hospital nurses wear | should be quite
disappointed If did not carry out that
part of my programme; the only thing that
troubles me is the smallness Of my salary
Il mean wages. Thirty pounds = year
will never make my fortune"
"You cannot ask more with good con-
science, Merle: you have never been out
before, aud have no experience. 4urs.
| Morton said herself that her husband had
promised to raise it at the end Of six
months IL you proved yourself competent;
| it is quite as much as nursery governsss'
/ salary"
| ITO be continued