Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-03-22
4 LETTER and 4 FACE.
TBy Rose Hawthorne Lathrop ]

gloves anywhere ON the floor. The reason
that he was so anxious to read il was tha
he had read it once, and it had dashed
him completely. He re-studied it.
NEW YORK, November 18th.
Ny Dear Uncle: You know what my mother
Wrote me in that letter which was handed NE
after her death FIVE years ago. and which made
las she intended) more of an impression upon
me as posthumous request than II she had
urged her wish by arguments while she lived.
! have travelled abroad, and l have just re-
turned to America, and l am still unmarried,
although l confess have been head and ears
in love dozens of times; but I've never offered
myself 10 a single soul, fer thought would at
any rate make Lucy's acquaintance first, cut OF
respect to my mothers PCT hobby. So am go
ing to start tor your ranch right off, and mail
this letter in order TO give you few hours
warning that you must soon shake hands with
your affectionate nephew, DAN MItHAELIs.
Mr.. Romer had seated himself before
his log fire, his legs outstretched comfort
ably. His arms now fell at his sides as he
finished the communication, and his whole
attitude expressed fatigued disgust. No
matter how many things he thought about
which had taken place IN the last twenty
odd years, he never moved muscle while
his mind ambled back into the past
But he was aroused by a quick step, and
voice saying; an here All right"
The ranch-owner reused himself and
turned in his chair, upon which his eyes
met those of young man shining with
tremendous health and spirits.
Uncle Sidney" says the visitor
Mr.. Romer tossed his nephew's letter
into the fire, and dryly answered: "Ah.
how you do? Just got your note. Sit
down, sir" Herose himself as he spoke.
But young Michaelis did not sit down.
whats the matter? Don't you want to
see me?"
Re went and leaned against the side Of
the fireplace, which lowered above him,
although he boosted six feet and a margin,
ana began to coquette with cigarette
Mr.. Komer glanced up from the large
easy-chair he had just assumed with cold
dignity. YES. You're Bessie's son. you
know. If YOU expect an ovation, we can
get one up, dare say
His nephew was evidently taken aback.
His vanity was surprised. His eyes glis-
tened even with something besides the
light of youth. ''Fll just stop long enough
to meet Lucy, anyway, he said in a mo-
ment, in a saddened voice.
'fve no objection to your meeting
Lucy" repeated Mr.. Romer, more dryly
than ever. But there is one thing. Dan.
that you might as well understand here
and now. Don't you have any idea of
marrying that girl, either for love or be-
cause your mother wished it might come
aboat. There's just one man on the face
OF this earth she shan't marry, and that is |
you. D'you understand"
well, | suppose | do. OF course | |
could marry her if | chose; but l should
do ca Cr,lN- fO,> ,,ptba,'c eol- J.
and 50 | should defy you only for my
mothers sake"
HIM l guess you'd find it mighty
hard to marry that little girl of mine"
commented the elder man, in low, SLOW
tone
Some one singing along the hall made
the two speakers move expectantly, and |
Lucy entered the room, exclaiming:
'Oh, papa don't you wish there was a |
criminal living near u.s."
She seemed as much astonished at be- |
holding a visitor as the two men were to |
hear the sentiment from her lips.
"What under the sun do you meaup |
asked Mr. Romer, laughing.
"Only that I've been reading that noble |
convicts death in Great Expectations
The girl (about ~ laughed too, as she |
went to Mr.. Romer's side, and let her |
quiet eyes, full of contented mirth, turn |
squarely upon Michaelis. !
81 believe you two young people have |
never met before" remarked Lucy's step |
father This is your cousin Dan, Lucy" |
Aren't you Aunt Bessie's son? ?" asked !
the girl, holding out her hand kindly, |
which Michaelis took heartily.
Eyes; and you are the daughter of her
most intimate friend. Wemust be on good
terms, you know"
"What other terms could there be?"
Lucy said, archly.
Mr.. Romer gave quick glance at his
nephew, and observed that he was quite
absorbed in looking at the young beauty
''Impudent jackanapes w thought the
old gentleman to himself getting up and
stamping his riding-boots, which were
spattered with mud, now dry and white.
"Come, Lou, go and tell the house-keeper
there's one extra for dinner" he remarked.
He was a widower, and chose to have
large share of household care on his back
81 want a word with you sir" he added,
taking Michaelis by the elbow, and slap
ping him on the shoulder, and behaving in
an altogether patronizing way. When
Lucy was fairly gone he resumed, seriously,
''You cannot have the privilege of marry
ing that Miss Somerset"
Michaelis blushed, dropped his eyes, and
put the unlighted cigarette permanently in
his mouth, and his hands in his pockets.
He answered nothing.
THAT girl Mr.. Romer went on, sis to
marry a duke or prince. Pm going
abroad with her next month";
Afichaelis looked up sharply, as if hurt
to the bone. Then he replied, Shed
make 4 nice duchess"
Are you going to stand in her way?'
"ill-In try not to-" answered the
young man with a voice which was
little unsteady, and his eyes lowered
again. Then he looked up, appealing
somewhat to his uncle's eyes with his
own My mother DID not know what a
coil she was to lead me into" he blurted
out,
"Oh, I'll keep you out of any coil" re-
torted Mr.. Romer. "You must 90 away
tomorrow morning. You can't stay long
enough to fall in love with Lucy He
turned his back to ring the bell, and Nj
chaeiis made a face of complete woe for an
instant. which he obliterated as his uncle
wheeled back 1--WE have dinner at six,
so l must go TO my room, and you shall be
shown to one, if you choose. Well, Dan,
au revoir Excuse my blunt manner
You took me unawares, you see. and
you've discovered my real attitude toward
you. Too bad, this finding out what peo-
pie really think, isn't it? But You aren't
rich enough, and you are little OF but
tertiy. But if can serve you in any way
besides that Of your errand hither, you
will find me every bit as good an uncle As
the next"
Al dinner appeared, besides Sidney
I
the latter's governesses-aud Yong Ger
mon her music master. The uoverpesses