Waterbury evening Democrat., 1891-02-07


 fingers his glasses high upon his bald | brows.
 "Eh! It's Gracic and and, yes, by the !! beard of tho prophet, it's a young manI Confound it; confound It, say! One young | man is enough for a girl Haven't told her"
 "Graudpa, this is Mir. Fingal He saved | my life and want you to thank him, as can not, for the act. Mr. Fingal, Grandpa Vandible."
 Then Grace went in to her mother, leaving the two gentlemen together.
 Excuse me-" said Mir. Vandible, as he | shook the strangers hand without rising, | "rve got the stiffness of old age in my bones, and can't get up and down as once could''
 "Ccrtainly, sir.'
 Fingal laid his rifle carefully aside and accepted q chair that stood near. "Grace says you saved her life What did she means I'm sure the huzzy ought not to put herself in danger I've warned her enough, yes, have. But there's no end of trouble one has with the girls, confound 'em; yes, say, confound cm." Then Mir, Nandible readjustcd his glasses, and pettcd his cane gently while he resumed his smoking. Fingal explained the meaning of Grace's words, and when he had modestly told his story the old mans cane fell with a mighty | once more, and the pipe was quickly removed from his lips. "Confound it, confound it, say,'' uttered Mir. Vandible.
 Ut isn't really safe for young girl to go : out unattcnded," asserted Fingal, after moment.
 No, it aint, that's a fact I've talked till all was blue to keep Grace from running ! wild in this way, but might just as well talk to a fcncc-post, had. I'll tell you, my young friend, one thing" and the old man laid his hand on Fingal's knee and regarded him with queer quicker of the gray lips, speaking evidently in confidence, "I've tried 1 to have Grace marry protector, have" ! Such comical look came to the old fcl- lows face as to bring smile to tho lips of 1 Ffngal in spite of his efforts at gravity as bcfittcd the occasion.
 Gould she do that!' Qucried the young man, quickly, in order to escape being thought rude
 Gould she! Could Grace Pcnroy marry! Great Nyahomet! Young chap, thcrc isn't q gentleman in forty miles of Lone Hollow who wouldn't Jump at the chance to wed Morgan Nandible's grandchild. Shes an ! heircss, my boy, an hciress to millions 1 Confound it, sir, confound it, she shall ! marry, say, and at once. 1 want this trouble off my mind. This looking after one girl is a torment, and to think another is coming. It'll be pandemonium here after l that; yes, pandCmouiup1, I say" The old man groancd jammed his glasses i once moro over his eyes, resumed his pipe and began smoking furlously. 1 Fingal felt that he had found an original, and was immensely pleased. II suppose" hc venturcd, that Miss ! Pcnroy has suitors in plenty, then?" "Suitcrs! Young man, why shouldn't i she have: Fortune hunters, though, the | of HNY H Sh 1,,o .l | I'll have mono of 'em mono of 'cm, say, that won't"
 "Isn't there one you approve!"
 "Ncs, there is one"
 Puff-puff-puff.
 Fingal waited some moments for the old man to proceed. He seemed in no hurry to | speak, so the youth broke the silence with i "Thc gentleman whom you approve is" "Captain Starbright." Then the old man removed his pipe and carcssed his companion's knee tcuderly
 You never saw the captain, sir!' "I never dId.'
 A gentleman, every inch of him; one of the old school. You could hang your soul on his honor and it would be safe, sin, utterly safe, say.'
 And Miss Pcnroy!"
 "Oh, she likes hln well enough, of l course, but she's a little backward about acknowledging ii. That's natural, you { know, perfectly natural Girls of to-day | arc so timd''
 "To me Grace Pcnroy seems quite brave, i Mir. Nandlble."
 'Eh! Does she! So you've taken the pains to notice, have you!" and the old man showed up his glasses and eyed his visitor from foot to head sharply. Doubtless he | was wondering if this newcomer was to put in a claim as ono of his granddaughter suitors. The young fellow seemed danger
 how, end of his examination the old man drowned. Before he could speak again the sound of wheels fell on the ears of the twain. Grace came out on the steps rumbllng stage coach halted, with steaming horses, at the ! gutc. A heavy trunk was dumped" from the rear of the vehicle, and then the driver cracked his whip and the coach rolled on.
 No ono had alighted, and Grace gave ex- prcssion to her surprise in words:
 II wonder why she did not come. It's too late now too ask the driver suppose That must be my cousins trunli''
 Il don't think it is too late," uttered Fin gal, springing up and hastenng in pursuit of the stage. He was fleet of foot, and soon overlook the numbering vehicle.
 Tine gal Il come to'ards night,'' said JChu, i'll answer to Flngal's question.
 'Naas, tho chlst was hcrn. Shell be along with a private rig, was told.'
 And FIngal brought this information back to Grace and her grandfather.
 "Id pesiy sight rather she'd stay away altogether" gruntcd the old man.
 "Why, grandpa!" cried Grace.
 "I had, though. Her mother was the worst female l ever saw. She'd a cata- mount temper, and gave poor Jonas, her husband, no end of trouble. If Lura's any like her motherI want none of her. May be, though, she's like meek Jonas. If so, it wouldn't take much of a hand to manage her"
 Grandpa, remember, that Lura hasn't any father or mother now, and that we must be kind to tho orphau.''
 "Yes, yes, that's true, Gracie. We'll be kind to her, and she shall have half my fort une if she behaves herself. Isay that and l mean it, do
 The old man had various moods. At one