The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1892-02-25

girl; and her demeanOr as Sne ulIeleo
them indicated that she was not in the
pleasantest Of humors
But, Doris, it is my dearest wish,
expostulated the portly old gentleman,
who was sitting in an armchair by the
library table.
Il don't care if it is the dearest wish
of the president, his cabinet and all
congress combined; l won't do it, and
there's an end of it. Uncle, you aston
i>h me. Whatever has taken possession
ofyou, am sure Idon't know. The idea
of your niece, Doris MILFORD, marrying
man she has never seen. 1t is pre-
posterouSr'
He's wealthy, my dear, and not
much over thirty"
Not much over thirty! That means
he's thirty-nine if he's a day. Eighteen
from thirty-nine leaves twenty one
Not great difference. He's only old
enough to be my father. On second
consideration, l believe l will marry
him, if only to have people pity me-
Doris, why will you make things
look SO ridiculous?'
Fact, uncle; pure fact! Wouldn't
.
sight of me? And wouldn't they be-
wall the day when pretty Doris MILFORD
tied herself for life to superannuated
mummy?'
Her uncle smiles.
Cannot your imagination draw
more animated picture?'
Yes, and I'll leave you to Judge if
it isn't remarkably true. He has one
sky-blue eye; his hair, what there is Of
it, Is inclined to the celestial rosy; his
favorite perfume is musk, and he car
ries a gold-headed cane. Besides all
these charms, he possesses peculiarly
fascinating manner of displaying his
pocket handkerchief to the best ad
vantage. Don't you like the prospect,
uncle of mine?"
Smiles and frowns struggle upon
Mr.. Wilford's face; but the latter con-
quer, and he exclaims:
Doris, this trifllng must cease. Tell
me, now, once for all-will you, or will
you not, marry Vane Evarts?"
A dainty nose goes up and dainty
foot comes down.
'Once for all, then, Uncle Cal, if the
court knows itself, l don't think l
shall"
Very WE'LL Doris, you know the pen
atty"
YES, l think 1 do. If hearing one
thing necessarily for three solid weeks
is not enough to make one remember
it, don't know what is. Your penalty
isn't so terrible, Uncle Cal think the
country must be delightful"
AT this time of year, yes; but how
about the winter months? You will
miss great many good times, Doris"
Doris gives her uncle roguish side
glance.
Really? Well, now, uncle, there
will be corn huskings, singing schools,
spelling bees and goodness knows how
many amusements. l anticipate any
amount Of enjoyments; perhaps I'll
even settle down into farmers wife.
Come and see me, Uncle Cal, and I'll
give you all the strawberries and cream
you can eat"
The girl starts toward the door, but
Mr.. MILFORD detains her as she essays
to pass him. His face is very solemn,
aud he says, gravely:
Doris, you surely do not know how
your decision pains me, or you would
take different course. Consent to see
Vane, at least Won't you, dear?"
But the girl shakes her head.
II can't 1 won't consent to be
thrown at any mans head. This is my
niece; you may take her or leave her.
sounds well, don't it?'
Her tone is still tantalizing, but her
lips have little pathetic droop aud her
eyes are humid. She bends lower and
rests her cheek against her uncle's;
then, without another word, she leaves
the room.
When she comes down again, which
is not until the following morning, she
is arrayed in a neat cloth travelling
dress. Her uncle is already at break
fast but he glances up from his letters
as she takes her seat.
You seem in a hurry to leave me,
Doris" is all he says at the time; but
an hour later, when all arrangements
have been made and the carriage drives
up, he looks down at her, as she stands
in the hall clinging to his arm, and
says, almost brokenly:
80 am to lose my little girl. Well,
Heaven keep you, dear. Write to me
often and don't be too obstinate.
Doris was crying, but by no means
conquered.
81 won't yield, Uncle CAL" she says,
"but know who will. You will coax
me back inside of two months, see if
you DON'T" and, with all woman's sat-
isfaction at having the last word, she
kisses him good-by and is driven
away.
Pacing the floor Of sumptuously-
furnished dining room is very angry
old gentleman; seated at the table,
perusing a paper in perfect indiffer-
ence. is handsome man some years
younger; and I'll introduce them to