The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1891-01-23
OLD MAN GILBERT.
By ELIZABETH W. BELLAMY,
c'KAMBA THoRPE,)
author Of -Four Oaks" "Littie joan
nd," Etc.

New York;
'Mawse Nick is growed; he doan want
chillens taggin' ut his heels cawtinual.
Whyn't you rest satisfied commanded
the old nurse.
But that was what Missy could not do,
and at last Glory-Ann became alarmed.
"Missle-virey," said she, "you gotter look
after dishyr chile. She don't eat, en- she
don't sleep, en- she is cawnstant frettin'
bout somethin' gwan happen"
Miss Elvira, who never in her life had
arrived at an unaided decision, appealed
10 Mrs. Leonard. Mrs. Leonard insisted
that it must be green fruit, and recon-
mended rhubarb; but Missy stoutly de-
MED the green fruit, and as stoutly
rejected the rhubarb. When the case
was discussed in the kitchen it was de-
cided that Missy had seen a 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. 1t was 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 so late returning. 1t was
then that he declared his intention OF
sending for DR.. Lane, whereupon Missy
began to cry piteously and protest that
she was not ill.
'What then is the natter" her father
demanded, with the sharpness of anxiety.
"Tm just mizzable," sobbed Missy.
She looked so thin and worn and her
childish voice sounded so shrill and weak
that the colonel was moved to an I'M
wonted demonstration of tenderness.
my poor little daughter" said he, hold
ing out his arms, ''come to me and tell
me what will make you happy? You
shall have anything you ask"
Missy threw herself upon his tyeast in
paroxysm of tears. sob, my fatherl"
she walled, "may have anything?"
"Yes, Winifred; anything"
"Then," said Missy, eagerly, promise,
promise now, that you won't never send
Brer Nicholas away no more"
The colonel smiled and stroked her
hair. He understood it all now; Missy
was jealous, jealous of Flora. "My dear
child, we won't send him away-not at
least" And he glanced with smile at
Flora, whose hands shook SO that she
could hardly hold her needle.
''Not even if 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 if he was to be married to Dosia
Furnival-she would be my sister," pur-
rued Missy.
Flora uttered low cry and hid her
face. She remembered now, and under
stood tho hooking birds sudden and
startled flight from the thicket behind
the summer house.
Mrs. Thorne and Miss Elvita looked
up; they doubted whether they had
heard Alright; the colonel doubted like
wise, and yet great dread seized him,
in spite of his pride, in spite of his will.
"What?" he said, at last, with angry
emphasis, and pushed the child roughly.
What Internal nonsense is this?' he de-
manded, as il 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 it. "What absurdity
have you been putting into the childs
head, Floray' he said, severely. "a jest
of this sort is simply scandalous."
'Tain't herr' 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.
"It is q lier' said the colonel, fiercely.
"Oh, yes, Missy" quavered Miss Ell
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, sit is a lie!''
lit is the truth, father" said Nicholas;
"Dosia is my wife,
Miss Elvira uttered moan and wrung
her hands. Mrs. Thorne stared; she did
not yet fully comprehend the situation.
Flora turned her face away; there was
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
a 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 promisel to promiser'
No one needed her.
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