The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-06-06
A RULE FOR BOTH.

child, and a lovely child, too"
The soft, yellow twilight was enfold-
Ing the drawing room in its enchanted
glamor, and Dolores, rising from her
piano, stood with large eyes and height
ened color to receive her new uncle.
She was only 16, but she belonged to
the beautiful creole race, who blossom so
early into womanhood, and she had the
dignity of young princess as she stood
there all in white, with her Jet black hair
gathered into net Of cleaning gold.
Young L'Estrange looked first at his
wife and then at his uncle with natural
pride.
"Here she is, sir" said he my little
Dolores!''
And then the old gentleman courteous
ly advanced, holding out one slender,
aristocratic hand, on which cleaned
diamond of rare size and water.
81 am very glad to see you, my DEAR"
said he, courteously, and not without
tender accent Of affection.
And from that moment all Dolores
secret fear and dread of her husbands
uncle vanished.
II am so glad you are not cross old
crab," she said, impulsively.
''Has Paul given me such bad char
hcter as that?" said the old gentleman,
smiling.
ooh, no, nor cried Dolores. "But he
always says My uncle will like this-my
uncle will disapprove of that until,
don't you see, have learned TO be afraid
of this unseen potentate. But" with
shake of the blue black curls, II am not
afraid now. Oh, am sure | shall love
you very, very much! Might l kiss you,
please?"
"You might try" said the major, look
ing very much pleased; and from that
moment Maj. L Estrange and his niece
ln-law were sworn allies and firm friends.
"And you love him very much?" said
the major, speaking, of course, of the
one Prince Charming who had ensnared
the creole's heart.
-'Oh, yes!' cried Dolores. 81 am sure,
Uncle Gerald, that there is no one like
him in the world. No one!''
"And he is good to your"
Eyes, always!
"And are you happy"
eyes, and-except"-
"Hallo!" said Uncle Gerald. "Here's
q flaw in the diamond-a crumple in the
rose leaves! There ought to be no such
thing as an except
''There isn't" stoutly maintained Do.
lores. "Only"--
"It's the same thing" said Uncle
Gerald, shaking his head. can 'onlyr
Come, Dolores, what is it? Open con-
fession, remember. is good for the soul.
What is the meaning of this mysterious
'onlyY"
Dolores hung down her head, the ink
black lashes dropped over her peach bios
som cheek.
''Itisn't anything at all, Uncle Gerald"
said she. "Only-I should like little
money to spend sometimes"
"Eh" said the major "Why, how is
this? Paul isn't a miser, hope"
mot in the least" cried Dolores. "But
butt hardly know how to explain
myself-he thinks l ought to come to
him for every penny spend. He thinks
1 should keep within a certain limit Of
course he's right, but it's a little hard
sometimes. There's no need for a
woman's spending money, he says"
''Ah!" commented the major.
''And l wanted some bonbons dread
fully yesterday" said Dolores, laughing
and blushing. "Of course it's ridiculous
"a grown woman like me wanting bon
bons like child; but, indeed, Uncle
Gerald, couldn't help it, and I was
ashamed to ask Paul for 81 to buy French
candies with; and if there's an organ
grinder, or beggar, or poor woman
selling buttons and shoestrings, why, l
have my rings and my ribbons and my
bracelets, but nothing else"
The major smiled and stroked his
white silk beard as he sat there in the
bamboo chair in the shadow of the sweet
southern passion vines.
sit is hard case" said he.
"Yes. isn't it," cried Dolores earnestly.
Il told Paul he ought to give me regu-
lar sum for pin money, but he only
laughs at me and says am little goose.
How would he like it himself, won
der?'
"Ah!" said the majo chow, indeed?
"And fiowers!" cried Dolores, clasping
her hands. There was a flower girl
along yesterday with the sweetest Japan
lilies and tuberoses, and / could not buy
one. And tuberoses always make me
think of beautiful New Orleans. Oh,
Uncle Gerald, did so want those waxen
darlings! But Paul says it makes wo-
MT 10 oil ~,
she wants. Would the tuberoses have
been extravagant, Uncle GeraldY'
''No," said the old gentleman, looking
at the beautiful spea' ng face, Il don't
think they would. now, little Do
lores, there comes y"ur pony up the
drive. Go for your airing and leave me
to sleep"
But the major did not sleep at all. He
meditated. He faced he financial prob.
lem of the L Estrange household and re.
solved to conquer it.
Paul L'Estrange came up from the CITY
that evening in excellent spirits.
"My dear uncle" he said. II shall
have to call on your generosity once
again. Only fancy my meeting Hall and
Ovington Oh the parade this afternoon!
And they tell me that Col. Praed and
young Jennings are in town also. So l
have just ordered little bachelor supper
at Auranio's for tomorrow evening""
"Ah!" said Maj. L'Estrange
II looked at that chestnut mare, sir, /"
added Paul. 'She is simply perfect, SO
- told the man to bring her up here.
am to have her for 1915. It's q bargain. "
"1Rdeedis