Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1893-03-02
MISS GRAYSON'S ADVICE.

For two whole years Capt. Jumpi-
son had been the idol of the splnsters
OF Bunborough. by.the.S CHEEKY,
good -natured and good looking, his
private means were limited, if they
exised at all, and his pay was unsuf-
6cient 10 enable him to indulge in any
of those expensive tastes which lure
young men from the milder delights
OF tea and tennis. He neither hunted
in winter nor played polo in summer;
and he was always ready to dance
half the night at the Bunborough balls.
He really was very nice man indeed ;
every one agreed that he would make
a very nice husband for any one Of the
young ladies Of Bunborough to whom
he might finally determine to offer
himself; and for two years be distrib-
uted his favors freely, but with abso-
lutte impartlaiity.
There is safety in numbers and the
towards know it, said Miss Grayson, of
the Valley Cottage, to Maud Oakley,
who had been unbosoming her soul to
her. Miss Grayson was the kindest of
elderly ladies where young peoples
love affairs were concerned, and Maud
Oakley had known her since she
Maud, not Miss Grayson) was baby.
'Cowardsl' said Miss Grayson again
under her breath, and Miss Oakley
shifted deprecatingly. She had been
talking to Miss Grayson for an hour
and had told her sympathetic listener
a good deal that was in the language
OF the vulgar, stale news Miss
Grayson was quite aware (all Bun
borough might have told herr that
Capt. Jumpison had quite recently
shown a distinct preference for the
Oakley family. He dined there when.
ever he was asked and had won Gen.
eral Oakley's confidence by dclicately
expressing unbounded belief in his
stories-not always an easy task; he
had been most attentive to old Mrs.
Oakley during supper time at several
balls, and his visit to the house for
o'clock tea had not been limited by in
vitations issued to him or confined to
those occasions when General and Mrs.
Oakley were at home; but there were
two Miss Oakleys, and to which OF
them Captain Jumpison intended his
attentions to be devoted was a question
which Bunborough-b Sea would
have liked to have answered. 1t was
not strange, however, that the public
were puzzled when Maud Oakley had
had to confess to Miss Grayson that
she had no very distinct idea whether
her sister Geraldine or herself was
preferred by the man to whom she
had unreservedly lost her heart, though
she admitted she had her fears.
Geraldine has Dr. Coyerdale,' SAID
Maud. She would be quite happy
with him.
Quite so' said Miss Grayson. II
never rains but it pours.'
Maud had wondered if it had evel
poured with suitors in Miss Gray
sons young days, and said nothing.
Cant we make DR.. Coverdale pro-
pose to her p said Miss Grayson.
And Geraldine accept him p added
Maud doubtfully. Miss Grayson was
determined looking lady, but ever
she seemed to consider the project i'm
practicable.
Did you ever try boohoo with any
one p said Miss Grayson.
What ? said Maud.
'Boohoo, boohoo. boohoo,' cried
Miss Grayson excitedly;and an elderly
lady who had selected the precise mo-
ment to be announced by Miss Gray
sons pretty little parlor maid very
nearly turned and fled. She came in.
however, and her impression that Miss
Grayson had gone demented was con
firmed by the apparently imbeclle
laughter with which her greeting was
received.
Maud rose to leave, and Miss Gray.
son, who had recovered her presence
of mind sufficiently to inquire after
her new visitors husband (he had
been dead seven years, accompanied
her to the front door.
Don't you understand, you silly
child ? she said, kissing her affection
ately on the doorstep. Cry, cry, cry
your eyes out not one of the wretches
In bakers dozen of them can stand
tears And the kind old lady returned
to pacify justly indignant widow;
while Miss Oakley walked home, with
q light breaking slowly on her as she
pounded the somewhat enigmatical
advice she had received.
Meanwhile captain Jumpison was
strlding down the flinty road leading
from the barracks to Bunboroug as if
he trod on air. He scarcely knew how
he had transferred himself from uni
form to his newest multi; but between
his beating heart and the tweed coat
which formed his outermost covering
ne could feel the communication
which had that afternoon altered the
course of his career forever.
On her majesty's service, it had ar.
rived; and on her majesty's service
t informed him that he was expected
% proceed forthwith to a somewhat
distant portion of her dominions,
where, in return for a salary exceed
ng his widest dreams, he was to
perform duties as to which he still felt
vague. But they probably included
he dispensation of substantial justice
With lavish hand to sundry swarthv