The St. Johns herald., 1897-08-14
CT DO believe that my uncle is the
most selfish man who ever

W udI udS ue OOQe HOW, uedI III quired Cicely, who was not unaccus 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 .2g married, on the score of my youth.
 ''Well, dear Bob, Le may have beer right there," said Cicely, soothingly Twenty is a little young to get mar ried, isn't it?"
 "Not a bit," answered Bob, impa- tiently. 'If 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 more accomplished"
 ''What nonsensew exclaimed the young man, irritably. Do you think I'm a boy, to change my mind every five minutes?"
 70, 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 were 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 19. 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 parentis to him, as he was an or plan.
 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 se- cluded seat that the conversation we have recorded took place.
 After a short interval, devoted to what the novelists of a previous gen. eration 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 a looking glass would per init, inquired:
 What is this fresh news from your ogre of an uncle, dearY'
 "Why, l heard the other day." re- sponded Bob, ''that he was dangerously i'll, had a fall while hunting, and so I thought it would be a splendid oppor- unity while he was weak and i'll to get his consent to our being married; an dhere is the communication which l 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 &rnswer your letter He tells me to say as how he can't write himself, but he will SC you, something as I don't like to put on paper, first, afore he lets you marry afore you're twenty-five. He also ses as how you bein mixed up in 1t like, Ort to no were to get him good nerse, and your to send him down can manege him. l also sends cheq as de- sired, and remain, you're obedent ser want, JABEZ BUNGER."
 He's 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 tery you've ever heard"
 Well, dear, I think you ought to make allowances"
 Look here, Cicely," interrupted Bop. T 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 lA that sort of thing, you know, and he-er-er-behave in this sort of way. l consider tn. it's diSgraceful. | [ has had his turn; why can't he let l me have mine?" Cicely, suddenly turning round and | taking his hand in hers as she spoke.
 Let us have it, my dear" answered | Bob, in thGJ patronizing manner which | very young men are fond of assuming | h their dealings with the opposite sex. 1t may suggest something, don't you znow."
 My idea, Bob, is this: Your uncle wants a nurse; let me go down and at- end him, and when I've restored him o health and he is completely conval- scent, can tell him who am."
 What would be the good of that?" Isked Bob.
 ''Why, of course, dear, he would be O grateful that he would at once give IS consent to our being married"
 "Ha! ha! hap laughed Bob. 70, you title goose! you don't know my Uncle 
 You are unkind, Bob,' said Cicely, rawing herself away from him.
 Don't be cross, little one, 1 couldn't Up laughing, 'pon my word, could ft."
 But I've read of such things. Bob." ''Oh, yes, 1 dare say, in novels" "M ell. lney do take place in real fe."
 Sometimes, p'r'aps, but"
 Don't you think I'm good enough urse, then?"