The weekly messenger. [volume] (St. Martinsville [i.e. St. Martinville] La.) 1886-1948, 1890-08-23
ht last Willis, standing loyalty close

At last Willis, standing loyalty close
20 his Uncle Martin, mustered the cour
age TO look around again; and saw what
his heart, or his experience, had told hin
that he should see.
/ Minnie Coles stood now within earsho!
of Uncle Martiu-which was not neces.
sarilv near. she looked like statue, or
figure carved in ice. Her red lips were
cured in Il smile not pleasant 70 behold
"A smile which was a sheer. Her black
eyes, looking cold as icicles, fixed Uncle
Martin in an annihilating gaze.
Poor Uncle Martin, who remained
blandly unconscious of it.
Minnie Coles had a code of manners
which she deemed necessary TO existence
and nov she and the Englishman who
would one day own Il title were standing
il the midst of Langhams. and Seelys,
and DcPuysters. all of whom were listen
ing to Willis Uncle Martin, and all of
whom had lately congratulated her upon
her engagement to Willis.
The Englishman was coolly smiling,
but Minnie grew red with angry NORTH
cation. Something catlike there was in
her expression. She looked as though
she would like TO scratch somebody.
Feeling her lovers close gaze upon her.
she flashed furious look at him and
turned sharply away.
The future baronet followed, bending
above her. And Willis-somehow OF
other Willis smiled, and heaved sigh
of relief.
At the same moment he saw Uncle
Martin turning away from his soap pic.
ture. A light hand had touched his arm.
"W'y, Miss Hallam!' said Uncle Mar
tin, cordially.
Yes said Grace Hallam, brightly.
81 saw you, Mr.. Starr, and as you didn't
see ME, thought would make myself
known. Your Uncle and yke acauain.
ted, Mr.. Starr" she said to Willis, pleas
antly. "When made my party call on
your mother. the other day"
yes" said Uncle Martin, 1--WE be.
There want soul home but me t'other
day, and Miss Hallam and l, we had
reel good visit. I en- 10y visiting with
young ladies, if be an old man"
"Thank you!" SAID Grace. "Have you
seen the prize picture, Mr.. Starra It's
worth seeing. Let us go there. Mamma
is sitting down near it."
And Grace Hallam-tall, fair and
sweet faced-led Uncle Martin straight
through the Langhams and the Scclys
and the De Puysters, Willis following,
and introduced him to her mother, and
talked about the prize picture and score
of Others, discussing them with all the
cordiality of her womanly heart and
shrewdness of her clear head, and
altogether gave Uncle Martin such
delightful half-hour as he never knew
before in his life.
His tall nephew followed them closely,
silent for the most part, but stroking his
moustache with an odd smile and pecu-
liar light in his eyes.
In that half-hour he made a discovery
one, in truth, which was not altogether
new to him, though he had been blink
ing over it-he discovered that he had
made great mistake
He was not the fellow to stand idle
under such knowledge.
He went with his Uncle Martin to see
tie Statue of Liberty that afternoon, but
he called on Minnie at an early hour next
day.
The Englishman was there before him.
but he stayed till that titled individual
had gone, and he came away free man.
''We are not suited to each other,
was the harshest thing he had !
said.
you're in love with Grace Hallam,"
she had responded, petulantly, and had
she'd few tears.
But with a fair prospect of a coronet |
for her own ambitious head, her tears |
were not many. Minnie's heart was not |
4 fragile article.
Willis never knew whether Grace !
who did not frown on his anxious, loving
come to the rescue by intention
Or accident. She would never tell him.
She laughed it all off in her gentle way,
md said she had liked Uncle Martin from
The first, and that cOnversing with him
was always pleasure, and then put
lender hand ON Willis mouth to close
he subject. But of course he kissed !
he hand.-[Saturday Night.