The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1897-04-07

The major observed with approval
that Jack, too, was kind to her, for he
thought il an excellent sign that he
should wish to please Miss Bloxham
by little attentions to her friend. On
the whole, he was satisfied with the
way things were going-or so he told
himself-and he could not understand
why he. found hitherto unknown
difficulty in sounding Miss Bloxham
on the subject and gently preparing
the way for Jacks suit.
or course Jack was i'm love with her.
How could he fail to be, knowing her
so well as he now did? Why, even he,
the major, was more than half in love
with her himself, as he owned, with
sigh to his cigar, and he was old
enough to know the folly of it. How,
then, should young fellow like Jack
escape? Now give them time. Moth
| ing but time was needed now-and
very little more of his judicious man.
agement-to bring the matter TO a sue
cessful conclusion and transform Miss
Nellie Bloxham into Mrs. Macintosh
Mrs. Jack Macintosh. All, what
difference that one little word made.
The major called himself an old
fool for his pains and refused TO think
of what perhaps might have happened
had he only been a dozen or Is years
younger, but for him, a man of So
Oh, no; it was out of the question.
And so the first week of Jacks visit
came to an end.
The little expedition, however, did
not come to an end. On the contrary,
Major Macintosh redoubled his exer-
tions, for he was growing eXtraordina-
rily anxious to have the affair settled,
and the more he saw of Nellie the
\ more he was convinced that Jack
would be the luckiest fellow in the
world if he won her. The major felt
that his reputation was at stake, for he
had never labored to make any match
as he had labored for this. Oh, he
must speak seriously TO Jack about it.
As to Miss Bloxham, she must surely
suspect something of his hopes, and
she had not discouraged them. She
always agreed readily to all his plans
aud treated him with marked consid-
Grafton, and, of course, it must be on
Jacks account. To imagine anything
else would be-Oh, no; he wasn't quite
such fool as that.
Jack, have you thought over what
/ said to you?' he asked abruptly one
day rs they were walking back TO their
| hotel.
"What about? You've said good
deal at different times"
'Oh, about settling, you know"
"ro be sure have. There's lot in
it." This was distinctly encouraging,
yet the major felt his heart sink un-
accountably. ain fact, think | shall
act on it."
YOU'RE thinking seriously of set
Ting, my boy?"
"Most seriously. To tell the TRUTH
and there was a twinkle in Jacks eye
as he spoke, II was just going to tell
you that rve already asked-someone
to settle me, and she's promised to do
it,"
There was a moments silence. Then
the major pulled himself together and
wrung Jack hand.
al congratulate you with all my
heart, my boy" he said huskily.
THANK you. She's a dear little girl
and thinks no end of you. She has no
father, you see, and SOL
"Yes, yes, quite understand" The
major felt that this was little too
much. 81 think she must know how
I've set my heart on it," he added.
mot bit of it. She feared you had
quite other views for me. Indeed, it
was all Miss BIoxham and could do
to persuade herr
Her? Whom?n
"Why, Millie, OF course. She fears
you'll play the cruel uncle and object
to my marrying her"
"Mlllle. Marrying Mlille!
ayes. Surely you must have SEEM
"And what does Miss Bloxham say
to this?''
son, she's delighted We are all
such friends, you know"
Friends, Marry Millie. Aud but
for that little marplot you might hav e
married Miss Bloxham"-
''Not bit of it. You are mistaken
there. Even had ever wished it she
wouldn't have had me-"
"Who told you so?"
"Nobody, but I'm not quite a fool
any more than you are quite 100, be-
cause-Uncle, Miilie is not the mar
plot, but--quite another person." sig
nificantly.
"By Jover' exclaimed the major.
He was silent for some moments.
When next he spoke, it was in very
different tone:
"Do you think I've any chance,
Jack?"
Jack laughed, not unkindly.
'Go and see, he said.
And the major went.
So, after all, he made an excellent
match for Miss Bloxham, and Mrs.
Macintosh never regretted that Jack
was not the bridegroom.-Hou
Words.
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