The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1897-06-05
cling the wife with thanks, am; Your
most dutifully,
"CUTHBERT BARTON.

iS-hoi hcu ailCe, WHEN she ma uulSne
the letter and returned it TO her uncle
Ltold him it was time FOR him 10 &c
married." was the short reply. "Thi!
Is his answer, the rascal Prefer
to choose his own partner. Wants al
old mare 10 his liking. Let him sc
one. Confound him. Thinks OF 'givin;
d up blackstone and winning laurels witt
his pen.' Winning. Gddlesticks. H,
hasn't sense enough to know he's al
idiot. Has serious intentions of de
scending on my rural fold! I'd like t
know what else he's been doing for the
last six months? Wants to enjoy some
. argumentative tete-a-tetes with me.
! Confound his assurance! What are you
laughing at2 Perhaps you consider il
amusing? Maybe you agree with him.
About the wife part, l certainly do
l know shouldn't let any one select my
husband"
Indeed, Miss! And do yo1 think any
one would take that. trouble? Have
some sense, for heavens sake. I've
enough t. drive saint crazy. Come,
st here, and I'll tell you what I'll do
Alice took chair beside her uncle,
and he began in confidential tone:
That independent monkey, who calls
himself my son, sha'n't have q cent of
my money. I'll cut him off, that's what
III DO, and I'll leave it all to you"
All what, uncle?"
All my money. You don't seem 10
lie smart, Alice"
'Oh! l understand perfectly, now.
am much obliged, but you may save
yourself any trouble in the matter, as,
of course, l wouldn't take it."
L |. l. L ~
chuckled the oil man. IF 1 choose 10
make my will to that effect you'll have
to take it.
Indeed I wouldn't" was the deter
mined answer, as Alice rose from her
chair. 1T belongs to BERTHE, and
wouldn't touch cent OF it.
How dare you defy me to my face"
cried the old gentleman, rising in his
turn. Il say You shall have it.
And say l sha'n't.
For mercy's cake. what is all this
about?"
"oh, Bertie!- cried Alice, turning at
the sound of the laughing voice.
You impudent scamp" added The
Co.onel. have you dared TO show your
trazen face here"
Il protes. a5 brazen, father. Ny
classic countenance is strikingly like
M fathers. Among my frit nds it is
sa to lie both modest and retiring
Another word OF your impudence,
sir, and you will retire with your modest
C )untenance. What are you grinning
like an ape for, and Alics with no bet |
ter sense than to laugh at you'll l want |
to know how you dared to send me that |
trash"
The Colonel threw the letter on the
desk as he spoke.
My Letter, sad BERTHE in assumed
surprise. Il am sorry your opinion Of
ts merits is 50 poor. l considered it
quite excellent of its kind. You remem-
o,r | spoke of my dc sire 10 be with you,
and 10, arrive with the wings OF speed
N the s enc Of b tile. Pray tell me
what caused the interchange of polite
nvective.
III tell you, SIR" remarked his
ather, with some warmth. iii tell you,
when gos that trash Of yours L de-
ided TO LEI you go to the devil and
cave my money to this hea&s.rong
-oung woman, but the forward mink,
With the most unheard- of impudence de-
Jared she wouldn't tous b penny Of it.
Bur Well Sc, about that and let ne
ell you. sir, you've got TO walk pretty
-faight line Or
"Ch, / don't mind the straight line,"
eturned Beitie. comfortably, provided
here isn'ta wife at the end of it. Tn
essit is the one 1 shall caoose."
"Fudge!" was the contemptuous COM
1ent. but the old gentleman manifested
o further anger. Probably he had
some new ideas in the last few
and found them diver.ing.
What are you g,ar.ng at Alice for?"
e said, presently. DO you want to
tare her out of countenanae?"
oh, no; l WAS only thinking how
harmingly well she is looking. The
II OF The Cedar5- is no doubt 1espons-
lie. You, too, look wonderfully well
No one would take you for
day over forty five, if that"
"Humphl" was the old gentleman's
,mment. AS big fool as ever. Your .
liking has given me a confounded .
Go out Of the room, for
eavens sake. Alice, take him out in :.
e grounds and try to keep him quiet
r while. must have little Sleep" 9
Cel tainly, I'll depart, by all means, Z
I'd Berthe, with alacrity. Delighted, /
m sure. Come, Alice, you must take j
re OF ME, you know" r.
The Colonel chuckled quietly as they 7
1t the room together. !,
no BE CoNTINCEDl
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