Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1890-06-14

y6r n,rs. Mrs. Leonard insisted
10 wal be green fruit, and recon-
toc3 rhubarb; but Missy stoutly de-
no I'd the green fruit, and a. stoutly
rejected the rhubarb. When the case
was discussed in the kitchen It was de.
cidcd that Missy had seen sign, and
all the old family servants shook their
heads with great solemnity.
At last Col. Thorne himself became
uneasy, and spoke Of sending for the
doctor. II was n dismal, rainy evening,
after tea, and the ladies were gathered
around the table In the parlor, Mrs.
Leonard with novel, Miss Elvira with
Bishop Ken, Flora with her embroidery.
The colonel sat apart, feeling Missy's
pulse, and wondering why Nicholas,
who had gone TO Tallahassee In the
morning, was 80 late returning. 1t was
then that he declared his intention Of
sending for DIR. Lane, whereupon Missy
began to cry piteously and protest that
she was not iii.
"What then 10 the matterf' her father
demanded, with the sharpness Of anxiety.
"rm just mizzable," sobbed Missy.
She looked 80 thin and worn and her
childish voice sounded 30 shrill and weak
that the colonel was moved to an un-
wonted demonstration OF tenderness.
"My poor little daughter" said he, hold
me me wi what win make you happy You You
shall have anything you ask"
Missy threw herself upon his breast in
paroxysm Of tears. "Oh, my fatherl"
she walled, "may I have anythingi'
eyes, Winifred; anything"
"Then," said Missy, eagerly, promise,
promise now. that you won't never send
Brer Nicholas awav no more"
"Not even IL he was TO be--marriedr'
pleaded Missy.
"You must understand that when
your brother marries you will have
gained sister" the colonel said, in his
accustomed tone OF authority. Missy's
Jealousy Of Flora was something to be
smiled at--and subdued.
"And II he was to bo married 10 Dosia
Furniyal--she would be my sister," pur-
sued Missv.
Mrs. Thorne and Miss Elvira looked
up; they doubted whether they had
heard Alright; tho colonel doubted like
wise, and yet great dread seized him,
in spite OF his pride, in spite Of his will.
"Whatt' he said, at last, with angry
emphasis, and pushed the child roughly.
"What internal nonsense is thisY' be de-
manded, as If Of the room at large;
and then his gaze fixed itself upon Flora.
1t was the first black look he had ever
given her; but her face was hidden, and
she did not see 1t. "What absurdity
have you been putting into the childs
head, Flora3" he said, severely. "a jest
OF this sort is simply scandalous."
"Tain't herl" cried Missy, with shrill
impetuosity. "Brer Nicholas is done
married already TO Dosia--I heard him
tell my cousin Flora"
Nicholas at this instant entered the
room. Flora looked at him and saw that
he had heard. His face was pale, but he
did not finch.
ut Is lier' said tho colonel, f1ercely.
"Oh, yes, Missy quavered Miss El-
vira, with an agonizing thought of Rox-
anna Whites missive which she had not
the courage to show to her brother. You
shouldn't be too ready to repeat what
you hear Children cannot understand
every
"Will you be silent?" Numbered the
colonel; then he strobe up TO his son and
repeated, with an oath. "It is liel'
"It is the truth, father" said Nicholas;
"Dosia is my wife"
Miss Elvira uttered moan and wrung
her hands. Mrs. Thornc stared; she did
not yet fully comprehend the situation.
ElSro fnrpnH har fara thau.n
that In the eyes of her uncle and her
cousin she could not endure to look
upon.
"Now you seer' cried Missy with shrill,
infantile triumph.
The colonel staggered as If he would
have fallen; for an instant he could not
speak, but when he did speak it was with
calmness more dreadful than any out
burst Of fury.
Get you gone" he said, contemptu-
ously. "Never more be son of mine"
Missy threw herself face downward
upon the floor and walled:
II asked you to promise! to promise"
No one needed her.
Father" said Nicholas, ''hear at least
what have to say
"Out OF my sight" his father inter
rupted, with cold, inexorable sternness.
beg, steal, starve. Never darken these
doors again"
Nicholas turned without another word
and strobe from the room; whereupon
Missy whirled over and sat bolt upright,
glaring defiance. "Then I'm goin' tool"
she declared, and scrambled TO her feet
and rushed away.
No one needed her; she was but a
child.
The colonel turned TO Flora and held
out his arms. my daughter!' was all
he said. He did not know whether he
was giving or asking comfort. And
Flora cared not what construction her
uncle might put upon her tears.
Miss Elvira sat and moaned and wrung
her hands; there was no one to give her
comfort.
We'll, never, never knew anything
equal TO this!' said Mrs. Thorne, having
found her tongue at last. II shall never
get over it, never!' Having made this
announcement, she uttered series OF
little shrieks, and Miss Elvira ceased
wringing Of her helpless hands" and
rose and shut the door.
CHAPTER TX.
OLD GILBERT TO THE RESCUE.