St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-01-05


Bob, hearing that they contemplated a
visit TO town in order to consult fash
ionable physician about their nerves,
offered to lend them his cottage at he
gents Park while he took his family
for their annual holiday to the seaside.
he made a distinct advance in his rela-
tiyeS' favor.
ut is really very considerable of Rob
ert," said Miss Briggs, after reading
Bob's letter.
HE Is quite right in saving that a
hotel would be trying for us in our pres
ent state of health" said Miss Priscilla.
IF. too, we accept Roberts offer. we
shall be able to take our own servants,
and be properly attended to-" SAID
Miss Briggs.
land it would be cheap" remarked
Miss Priscilla, who had frugal mind.
The only question is said Miss
Briggs, adjusting her spectacleS and as
suming an air of judicial severn!
"whether, by making use OF ROBERT
house. we should be cOndonlng his eN-
travaganca. l was always OF opinion
that Robert had nOright whatever, win
his small income, to marry and nave a
large family, much less TO keep mp an
establishment"
"Of course not" acquiesced Miss
Priscilla.
pThe very thought of their nephew
Tashness ALWAYS caused the old ladies a
thrill of virtuOuS indignation. anu 1or
several years they had INDUCED IN the
giOomieSt predictions concerning BOB
worldly future. In their secret hearts
they probably considered that the reck-
less yourg man aggravated his otfense
by not going through the bankruptcy
court. How he contrived to steer clear
of it and support his numerous on
spring was, to the anxious auhlS, 4
source of unfailing wonder. 1hey nau
the grim satisfaction OF knowing that
at least he received no substantial con
tribution towards his expenses IRON
them. The truth was that Master Bob,
either from motives Of policy or from a
not unnatural preference TO keep ms
private affairs TO himself, had never re-
VeaIed TO his auntS that he supple
mented his small private income ana
his precarious professional earnings 10y
literary pursuits. But the old ladies
would not have been easy in their minds
in any case. and perhaps on the whole
they were better satisfied TO helleVe
that their nephew was every day get
ting more hopelessly and ineXtrlcably
Involved.
This consideration. however, was Sc
cided to ignore it, as it lnterfered VIII
their plans. Nothing more was said
upon the subject, and the old ladies nc
doubt suddenly discovered - though
oddly enough, for the first tlme-that
after all, BOb'S extravaganza was nc
concern of theirs. Their nephew's sug,
geStiOn suited their convenience, and
the result was that, after much discus
sion, a polite reply was dispatched gra'
ciOusly accepting his hospitality.
On the appointed day. therefore, the
two old ladies. accompanied by retlnue
consisting of a deaf old cook, a wooden
faced attendant, an ancient parrot, q
bowl of goldfish and a Persian cat, ar
rived in London, and were dutifully
met at the station by their nephew, who
escorted them to his suburban abode
Bob had dispatched his family anC
household to their destination
few hours earlier, and consequently
the house was empty, ready sweep
and garniShed for the reception OF
the hOnored guests. 1t was one of those
picturesque little villas. POLITICALLY de
Scribed by house agents as ''biJou resi-
denceS," which are not uncommon II
the St. Johns Wood district. The house
was roOmy and convenient, though com
pact; it stood in the midst of a leafy
one might have imagined oneself mile:
away'in the country, save for the oc
casiOnal showers of blacks from ada
cent chimneyS which somewhat de
StrOyed the illusion.
Bob conducted his aunts over thu
house, and pointed out the attraction
of the Lilliputian conservatory and TIN
surrounding domain with conscious
pride. The old ladies, stimulated by
cup of tea which they had found await
ing them on their arrival, were charmed
with everything. But when Bob aros
to take his departure, leaving his aunt
in possession, the elder of them said
somewhat abruptly:
"You IecOllect that / told you w
would not be responsible for the plate
Robert?"
''Any enterprising burglar is welcom
to the plate basket" said Bob. lightly
Burglar! There is no d; niger o
thieves, hope" exclaimed Miss Pris
ella. turning pale.
Thieves! my dear aunt-there i
nothing to steal!" replied Bob. 9Th
spoons and forks are base metal"
Il shouldn't have an easy minute, if
thought there were any valuable
about" said Miss Briggs aggressively
''YOu may E:ake yourself quite cas-
a somewhat constrained laugh, as h
babe farewell to his relatives.
81 hope Roberts speaking the truth,
said Miss Briggs to her sister, glancin
uneaSily around when Bob had disal
peared. Il thought his manner littl
strange when he replied to my que:
ton"
80 did I; but l think 1 can accour
for it," said Miss Priscilla. 81 fame
he was rather embarrassed by your II
ferring to the plate. He had some va
liable presents when he married, an
his wife had her mothers jewelry. BIZ
[ should not be surprised if they ha
disappeared long ago" added the lady
with significant glance.
''Ah! you think he has sold til
things" said Miss Briggs. with intel
est.
"Or-or pawned Them" replied Mis-
Priscilla, in an ominOus tone.
II believe you are right, Priscilla.
said Miss Briggs quite cheerful!
"The idea had never occurred to me
but. now that you suggest it, have yer
little doubt that Robert has been con
PEELED to part with his plate and hi
Wife's jewelry."
81 feel sure of it. He WINGED an
looked quite startled when you SPOKE
GOOlSll lCilOW. oahu 11loS
shaking her head.
s'He is worse than foolish, Priscilla.
very much fear my worst will come tru,
and that Robert and his family will en-
their days in the wOrkhouse," returne
Miss Briggs. with an air of complaceI
conviction.
This dismal anticipation, far from d,
pressing the old ladies, seemed to rails
their shirts. and thew proceeded
make a tour of inspection on their ow
account. infinitely examining every
thing the house contained and critics
ing the domestic arrangements. TIL
result of this occupation was eminentl
satisfactory. for while they found every
thing exactly suited to their require
ments, they discovered abundant ev
dence Of what they considered eXtravi
gance and lavishness. The house wa
well and tastefulIy furnished through
out, the table linen was ridiculousl
plentiful and superfine, the china an