Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1897-09-09

IIacter. Three Year. had passed since
that August day when my godson died,
when there came from California q
cousin Of Laura's, a5bronzed and beard
ed stock farmer, who had won wealth
in that. fruitful country BY honest toll
and fortunate investments. He was the
most startling contrast to Frank Tib-s
bits, strong, self-reliant man, with
. loud voice. q will Of iron and a sound,
clear head for business. Investing his
handsome fortune in various ways, he
went into the business Of managing
his own estate and the recreation Of
counting his cousin Laura. 4
Il have loved her ever since she used
to bring me her dolls to mend, and cry
her blue eyes red over petlkittens,"
he told me, ''but l was sort of big
brother, and when II bbitts camesalong,
whew! I was nowhere! But Ill win
her now, Heaven bless her!"
gave him my best wishes. StayI
Did 1? ! gave him my best spoken
wishes, and l tried to hope that Sec:
ond marriage might be as happy as
the first, and have none of its per-
plexities. 40. ..5g
/ But was sorry to see how this new
excitement disturbed Laura's life. Was
it a sense Of ydisloyalty to Frank that
made her eyes so often bear marks of
bitter weeping? Did she fear trust
her cousin that she grew SO restless?
She zgrieved me to the heart by shut
ting me out from all confidence inSthe
matter. AS soon as spoke Of her
cousin she would become immensely
dignified and sew or knit in solemn sis
lence, never lifting her eyes from her
work. If praised him she gave q
feeble assent. If l blamed him she
did not defend him. If1questioned ner
directly she gave me bare facts with
out comment. Never once did she give
me an opportunity to hint at my knowl.
edge of his hope to win her.
''She knows how loved Frank, and
she is afraid I will blame her for marry
ing again." l thought 4 <.%s5>
But was rather staggered when the
California cousin asked me to make his
proposals. W ID. Z 90
.Yod see she looks On on you as q d sec !.
ond father" he said, frankly, land she
will let you,speak to her:s=By Jove. l
can't getaa chance!"~ss-,... ss' %ss. :
"Why,1 thought you were thereev
day ?'''s.s:. ,:.. s.ss.:. >.s5*
::lVell, SO i am. But If I hint atssmy
lovesshe begins to talk of Tibbitts. How
can "a man propose to q widow when
shesis actually talking about the; dear
departed as If her heart Iaysinli his
graye?2" ~ ::..55,* I .ss3S $SS Il n
|'::: '.They@wereS most devoted COUPLE
But she is SO young TO go into per-
petual mourning. / Why, Laura is not
26!" =. H3 :2t. : u NJ .5.sS AZ +. !.
But, though he pleaded eloquently,
I refused toab1et his messenger 81 love.
That very eveniihii as ! went to see 8
Laura, he dashed out OF the house, near
ly upsetting, me in his haste, and never
|stopping toaapologize.s ~ found Laura
crying. How was it, What did say :
What did she say? +. ~ "a. s go. ~ T.,
Alkthat is my business and hers! But
found the California cousin had asked
for love already: given to me, and at
this moment a little blue-eyed woman
is challenging my admiration for a
growing, kicking bit of humanity that
will call me papa, and Mrs; Tibbits
ceased to he Mrs. Tibbitts two years
ago, when she became my wife. ::
The California cousin has gone back
to Californian. Y. Ledger. i
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