The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1890-12-17

Anna Bolton was over Toms compan-
ion. j quiet, fair haired, sensitive
mouse Of a blonde, she was the direct
antipode in all things of her sworn ally,
Bette, under whose fostering protection
she would nestle confidingly as though
no harm could reach her there.
She was sole heiress and sole compan-
ion ut her splendid residence, SHADY
nook" of very deaf but Argus eyed
grandaunt minated herself for the
full allotment of the human span, the
senior Miss Bolton had small confidence
in the taste or honor of the sterner sex.
She iealously watched the every move
ment of her niece, religiously believing
that each man who set his eye upon her
fragile form used it but as a medium
through which to cast unholy Chances ut
the estate-some ten miles back of Pike
ton-whose exponent she was. But the
home of the spiuster had no great charms
for her heiress unless frightened by the
presence of her stronger friend and ally;
so, when Bette could not be spared
from her household gods, it was great
! comfort to quiet little Anna to sit under
| these also, and to stay there meekly SO
| long as Bette could alternately cajole or
coerce the deaf spinster into permitting.
But that ancient and unwinking Cerbe-
rus had carefully reconnoitered the sur
roundings of the mayoralty. She had
long since concluded that was the
property of the lady of the house, and
Tom, being only piece of live furni-
ture, like the cat, was not to be counted.
So little Annals last visit had been al
lowed to run into months She could
skate well, for all her fragility, and her
taste and touch in music were both deli
cate but decided. SO, after all, we made
her useful, though | felt compunctious
twinges when | reflected how heavy on
hand she must be to poor Tom; for, be-
sides all other reasons, it was an under
stood thing among us that Miss Bolton
was engaged. If not formally contract
ed to him she was SO far committed to a
certain Mr.. Goodwin rs to make that
contamination Il mere matter of time.
Not a very enticing person was Mr..
! Goodwin, 90 in years and money grub
in nature, but--as the senior Miss Bel
ton was won't to say grimly-if not u
brilliant man, he was at least safe one
Twenty thousand year was his allot.
ment of this worlds goods, and the very
soul of the spinster swelled within hei
when she reflected what that would dc
for "Shadynook."
Yielding in all things, the white
mouse appeared to accept her fate in this
with perfect composure, but she shrunl
with peculiar constituencies from any nj
fusion to it by one of us. So, of course
none was ever made; but land / was
sure Tom as well-looked upon her IA.
one of the least interesting of the vic
Tins to the Moloch of convenience
Hence fully appreciated the unselfisl
friendship that caused him to become i;
martyr to her stupidity, that might be
left tete-a-tete with his glorious cousin
One night when our bachelor pipes-ol
punch-had been stronger than usual
said words to that effect. Toms rejoin
der was characteristic. He thrust his
tongue into his cheek, shut one eye very
slowly, and nicking my glass with his
said, Here's good luck, and bad 'ces:
to old Goldwinl"
Verify, we need never leave our owl
circle for evidences of the mysteries o.
Natures complex mechanism, and wha
very odd errors we make in our estimate
of them sometimes!
Atlength its heiress had been impera
lively called back to "Shadynook. Thu
minated Argus would have her return
for its Xmas disnalness, and when tina
spinster foot was once put down Their
it stayed. Exacting the promise of I
speedy visit from Bette, before Xmas i
possible, and INDUCING in many mys
FERROUS whispers and Il perfect fusillad,
of kisses that set me on pins and needle
of envy, the white-mousey one wept her
self into her sleigh and faded out int
the snowy avenue.
Tom and l, as members of Bette
personal staff, had, of course, been in
cluded in the invitation to "Shady
nook" but no time was decided in on
council, and weeks rolled by with IL
definite plans about it. Happy week
they were to me-full of sunshine, wit
; only such fecks of shadow as made IN
| enjoy the more. basked in the smile
of the only woman | had ever reall
cared for, and, whether they were al
! for me or not, was namely happy,
For there's nothing half so sweet in life
AS Loves Young dream