The weekly messenger. [volume] (St. Martinsville [i.e. St. Martinville] La.) 1886-1948, 1890-08-23
HIS UNCLE MARTIN.
~ EMMA A. OFFER.

"No," said Willis. ~ can't 90, Min
ME. I've got to take my Uncle Martin
driving IN the park. My father asked IN,
| to-"
Cant go to the orchid show9" crieC
Minnie. Being Willis betrothed and :
lively girl, she had invited him to tax,
her, since he had not offered. will.
Starr
Cant help it." said Willis, ruefully
SIN in for a drive with Uncle Martin"
Minnie pouted.
well, " she said, in her pretty, spoiled
tones, IL can go with papa, | suppose
l shant see you till to morrow afternoon,
then, at Mrs. Bradley; crush-tca9"
Willis closed his eyes in humorous
despair.
Minnie" he said, 81 can't 90 to it.
Uncle Martin wants to see the Statue OF
Liberty tomorrow afternoon, and I've
got to take him. Father doesn't feel
equal to snch iaunt."
willis" cried Minnie. She was more
than pouting now; her black eyes looked
angry. "Devoting all your time to him
For mercy's sake, what's ~ likel
Where's he from!
She was haughtily frowning.
Willis quaked, but his sense of humor
helped him through.
He responded mildly:
"My Uncle Martin Starr is from West
Mont'ille, Hill County-a village of some
eight hundred inhabitants. lie has a
large property, and is good hearted,
intelligent and agreeable old gentleman.
But he wears cowhidc boots and a rather
battered soft felt hat He SAYS, wal
you don't sayr or, 4 want to know?'
and he eats lettuce with a fork, and
doesn't know what his finger bowl is
for"
Minnie rc:e with sharp little laugh,
which was mirthless.
''The bare ideal" she cried, indig-
nantly. SLOW dreadful. And to think
OF your having to give yourself I'D to him
in this way! It's too exasperating."
"We want him to enjoy himself, YOU
know" said Willis, with his pleasant
smile.
Willis Starr was not all selishness.
"Very well; if you wish, stay away
from me altogether for the sake of a
ridiculous old man from the country!-
Minnie snapped.
Naturally she was ashamed of herself
after this speech, and truce was estab.
lished after fashion.
lie promised to send her bunch of
datfodils to wear to the orchid show, and
a box OF bon-bons into the bargain.
When he went away, Minnie took him
to the door, and was all smiles once more
and brilliantly pretty.
Nevertheless Willis walked away
thoughtfully, whistling soberly.
He wondered how Grace Hailam would
have taken those little disappointments
how she would have looked upon his
Uncle Martin-how she would have
behaved altogether in such a case,
Grace Hallam and Minnie Coles had
two points in common, and two only
both were charmingly pretty, and both
were rich girls. Otherwise they were
such different styles" that everybody
had marve!cd when Willis Starr had.
upon his recent return from abroad and
his entrance into his mothers fashionable
set, been attracted by them both and
puzzled between them.
He had, in truth, behaved as honest
young men have behaved before him
sent candy to Minnie and called on Grace.
hirtcd with Jimmie {. the dances and
r-al,icG homo from church with Grace,
presented Minnie with extensively quaint
knickknacks and sent beautiful editions
II he poets TO Grace.
OF course there had come climax. AT
&c cotlilion which his mother had given.
three weeks ago, Willis had led with
sweet Grace Hallam and the interested
onlookers had said with relief that that
affair was settled at last.
But finding Minnie Coles alone in
nook in the flowery hall, a little later.
looking in her pouting displeasure and
veXed hauteur, far prettier than he had
ever seen her, Willis had first taken her
soft band, then recklessly flung an arm
around her and sworn that he loved her. |
And the engagement being announced,
the eager multitude had suffered shock |
Of surprise and slowly readjusted itself,
=, eager multitudcs can.
And Minnie Coles had reared her pretty |