The Bottineau pioneer. (Bottineau, N.D.) 1885-1895, 1893-07-01

Toms mothers house, and Tom was
very unhappy himself. Every one was
unhappy, but Mrs. B%urridge, who min
istered to MI. Spicer, talked senti-
mentally to him, made him jellies and
Wine-whey, AMI n evening when he
quoted Shakesl ARE to the effect that
sharper than ; serpent's tooth it Is
to have a thankless child" burst into
tears, and saying, land to think there
are those in the world that fairly WOr-
ship YOU, and you don't value it,"
rushed from the oom in tears.
Mr.. Spicer was startled. f1attered,
touched; when next Mrs. Burridge ap-
, peared he said:
Mrs. Burridge, ma'am, you let fall
a remark that I could but feel alluded
to yourself, the other evening. 1 have
long admired you, ma'am, but would
never give my daughter a stepmother.
Now, 1 have no daughter, and I offer
you my hand, If you'll accept it,
Mrs. Burridge wept again, and said
it was because she was SO happy.
The news of the engagement soon
1t opened his eyes.
DO you know, Ianthe," he said,
that l believe your father never got
your letters. That woman has de-
! stroyed them. This has been her plan,
all along"
you are right, <Tom," said Ianthe.
"And do not believe pa would have
shot me. Oh, if I could but see him
once before that woman takes mothers
place! Just have one kiss, one kind
word. When she becomes his wife she
will Danish me forever"
you'll have to hurry, my DEAR" said
Tom, 1.-THE wedding presents are going
| in. MI. Pratt has ordered a set Of ele-
CANT grocery and spice boxes at our
place."
Its all over, then," sobbed Ianthe.
"Not If you have grit" said Tom;
and the two communed together for u
long while.
Meanwhile Mrs. Burridge was tri-
umphant. As Tom said, presents were
pouring in. Now came silver, and now
cut-glass. Now pieces of jewelry, now
little tables and Big clocks, and all
sorts of table linen. The japanned
boxes arrived, a standing lamp, a Bible,
and cushions galore, and lots of brio
a-brac. One evening she herself opened
the door, to find outside two porters,
who carried between them a long, up
right something, wrapped in linen.
"A wedding present, Miss said a
third man. "A marble statue"
"A statue!" cried Mrs. Burridge, de-
lighted to be called miss why,
how lovely; who from?"
the man. "Now, if you'd sign my
book"
AS Mrs. Burridge stepped out ON the
! porch to do this, the two porters came
out of the house and banged the door
after them.
you've shut me out" said Mrs. Bur-
ridge, laughing.
The two men expressed their regrets
and walked away. Mrs. Burridge rung
the bell. There was no answer. She
rung more loudly. Indeed she rung and
rung again; no one answered it. The
maid was in the hall, but nothing
would have induced her to turn the
dead-latch, for no sooner had the
statue been set down than it seemed
to come to life, cast it's linen cover
away, and stood before the astonished
maid with clasped hands and streaming
eyes. Ianthe and no other.
Don't open the door; don't let her
in until I see papa" she said.
"Not if I die for it, MISS" said the
maid. "Your papa is in his room-run
up-run up miss"
A moment more Ianthe had burst
into her fathers room and flung her.
self at his feet. And he gave a sort of
roar, and took her in his arms and
kissed her.
MY little girl" he said, and then she
told him all, and he believed her.
1t was Mr.. Spicer himself who opened
the door for Mrs. Burridge, at last.
I've been locked out half an hour,
love-" she said, 'and where's the sta
tue?'
His reply astonished her. "You abom-
Unable wretch" he said. "Don't call
me your love-I've a mind to put you
in the state prison. I. know all about
you, at last. You've stolen my poor
little daughters letter, turned her from
my door, and pretended I threatened to
shoot her. Go up stairs, get your things
and skedaddle. Yes, ma'am, skedad-
die as quickly as you can"
Mrs. Burridge felt that words would
not avail; she obeyed.
Later, she brought suit for breach of
promise against Mr.. Spicer, and recov-
cred six cents damages.
But Ianthe, her father and his SON.
in-law, they live together in peace and
happiness.