The Winslow mail., 1897-10-09
r DO believe that my uncle is the
most selfish man who ever
lix-Gad % ..-1.Ic, Il.l. Ca....-.o1a


toned to hear condemnatory remarks
respecting that gentleman.
'Why, In the first place, darling, as
you are only too we'll aware" replied
Bob, "he refused his consent to our be-
:cg married, on the score Of my youth"
"Well, dear Bob, lie may have been
right there" said Cicely, soothingly.
Twenty is little young to get mar
ried, isn't it?"
"Not a Bit" answered Bob, impa-
tiently. eff a man doesn't know his
own mind at 20 he never will"
'But you may see some girl whom
you will prefer to me-" suggested
Cicely. Somebody who is better look
ing, or moro accomplished"
"What nonsense!" exclaimed the
young man, irritably. "Do you think
I'm boy, to change my mind every
five minutes?"
80, no, DEAR" replied Cicely, caress-
ingly, "but such things have happened,
you know, and though it would break
my heart to lose you, I would rather
you found out you didn't love me be-
fore we we're married than after
wards"
"But 1 do love you, my own little
sweetheart, and always shall, and We'll
get married in spite O. all the old can
tankerous uncles in Christendom."
And as Bob spoke he placed his arm
around her and drew the young girls
head down on his broad breast.
Robert Curzon was a student in st.
Georges Hospital, and Cicely was a
nurse probationer at the same estab-
lishment, aged respectively 20 and 10.
They had fallen in love with one an
other some six months previously, and
Bob had at once written home to his
uncle, Major Mainwaring, who stood in
loco PARENTS to him, as he was an or
phan.
There was very little opportunity for
making love in the hospital, but the
young people were in the habit of meet
ing in the park whenever circum-
stances permitted, and it was on a Sc
cluded seat that the conversation we
have recorded took place.
! After a short interval, devoted to
what the novelists of a previous gen
Grafton were in the habit of calling
''tender passages" Cicely drew herself
gently away from her lovers embrace,
and putting her hat as straight as the
absence of looking glass would per-
NIT, inquired:
what is this fresh news from your
ogre of an uncle, dear?"
''Why, 1 heard the other day." re-
sponded Bob, ''that he was dangerously
Ill, had a fall while hunting, and so
thought 1t would be splendid oppor-
unity while he was weak and i'll to
get his consent to our being married;
an dhere is the communication whicn
1 received this morning in reply"
And pulling letter out of his pocket,
Bob extracted the contents from the
envelope, and read the following
epistle:
"Honored Sir-I has been derected by
you're uncle, Major Mainwaring, to
answer your letter He tells me to
say as how he can't write himself, but
he will Sc you, something as l don't
like to put on paper, first, afore he let's
you marry afore you're twenty-five. He
also ses as how you bein mixed up in
it like, ort to no were to get him good
nerse, and your to send him down can
manege him. l also sends chez as de-
sired, and remain, you're obedent SER
want, JABEZ BUNGER."
Hes the old mans valet and facto-
tum," explained Bob, as he finished
reading the letter. "And now, don't
you think that it is the most selfish let
terry you've ever heard"
We'll, dear, 1 think you ought to
make allowances"
'Look here, Cicely," interrupted BOB,
Il know this man, and you don't. I'm
the son Of his favorite sister, and the
only relation he has in the world; he's
an old man, who can't expect to live
much longer, who's had lots of fun in
his day; been in the army in India, and
a. that sort of thing, you know, and
J Observation-Disclosures in this sort Of
| way. l consider tn. it's disgraceful
has had his turn; why can't he let
me have mine"
Bob, I've got an idea," exclaimed
Cicely, suddenly turning round and
taking his hand in hers as she spoke
''Let us have it, my DEAR" answered
Bob, in that patronizing manner which
very young men are fond of assuming
in their dealings with the opposite sex
1T may suggest something, don't you
know"
"My idea, Bob, is this: Your uncle
wants nurse; let me go down and at
tend him, and when I've restored him
to health and he is completely conval-
escent l can tell him who 1 am"
"What would be the good of that?"
| asked Bob.
"Why, of course, dear, he would be
% grateful that he would at once give
his consent to our being married"
"Ha! ha! hap laughed Bob. 20, you
little goose! you don't know my Uncle
Richard"
"You are unkind, Bob,' said Cicely,
era wing herself away from him.
Don't be cross, little one, couldn't
| lip laughing, 'pon my word, l could
MT"
But I've read of such things, Bob"
"Oh, yes, dare say, in novels"
"N ell, tney do take place in real
life"
| Sometimes. p'raps, but"
| Don't you think I'm a good enough
nurse. then?'