The Opelousas courier., 1893-05-27
Mrs. Marks presently entered the room,

Mrs. Marks presently enGereu Tue EooiA,
and he scarcely recognized the bright
little woman who came to welcome him
with such a rosy flush on her oval face.
hs'It's just like meetin' a dear old
friend" she exclaimed, gladly, "an'
Millie'll be so happy to see you."
Mile came into the room at that mo
ment with the happiness of meeting him
shining in her truthful eyes. She had
v appeared so sweet aud altogether
loyable before, and Richard Wakeman
secretly acknowledged that this girl with
Objectionable relatives wa the tairest
woman he had ever known.
l. He informed them that his uncle had
died al San ~Bernaudino, and that he was
now utterly alone in the world.
awe shall be returning home soon,"
Mile said, with the shadow of regret in
her fine eyes. Smother thinks that she
has quite recovered"
tBut she will not remain we'll II she
returns to that dreadful place." Mr.
Wakeman affirmed, decidedly.
stI know it, and this lovely house il
for sale at such a very low price just
now" Millic began. eff father could
only sell the Missouri farm to good ad-
vantage he could make a payment on
this, and we could be $3.50 happy here.
But it isn't possible" she ad led. cheer.
fully. ''Missouri property can't be dis
posed of at any price now, and we must
return in about three weeks"
Mr.. Wakeman said that he would be
very sorry to have them go, and after
asking permission to call often while
they remained, he drew his visit to an
abrupt conclusion.
That afternoon he ives closetsd for
some time with a lawyear in the city,
who, as soon as the conference was
ended made hasty preparations for a
journey to a certain dilapidated village
in Missouri.
About three weeks later, as Mrs.
Marks and her daughter Mile were rest
ing from the sorrowful task of packing
their trunk preparatory to taking leave
of the pretty cottage they had learned to
love so dearly, sitting on the rose-em-
powered porch they discovered a familiar
form coming rapidly towards them, and
both women sprang to their feet in JOY
Gus expectancy.
"Fatherl' exclaimed Mile.
"Oh, Abner!" cried the little woman.
And the next instant his great, strong
arms we've about them both.
"Talk about luck!" he exclaimed as
500 as the kissing process was over.
give had sech a streak O. luck ez you
never hearn tell on afore. A likely sort
o. chap came to our place the fust o. last
week an fell desprit in love with my
farm the minute he clapped eyes onto it.
An would You believe it, Marthy, he
offered me fifteen hundred dollars hard
cash, right down in my fist, fer the hull
turnout.'G
"Oh, father!" cried Mile, tremulous
with happiness, s'this pretty cottage can
be bought for that, furniture aud ALA
"Ev'ry last one O. the relatives OF
both sides called on him, an offered
their farms fer sale," continued Mr..
Marks, not needing Miles interruption,
shut he reckoned as how one Missouri
farm was enough fer him, an I amt sor-
ry nuter,"a sly twinkle creeping into
his eyes. eyes, Millie, gill, we'll buy
this house and stay in this country where
nav found her purity red cheeks sgin."
That all happened more than two years
ago, and though Mile has been Mrs.
Wakeman for a short, joyous twelve
months, she has never learned the truth
concerning the sale of her fathers unde-
sirable Missouri farm. Yankee Blade.