Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1897-08-05

WHAT a woHAN
CAN Do.
DO believe that my uncle is the
most selfish man who ever

most selfish man who ever
l. lived"' exclaimed Bob Curzon.
What has he done now, dear?' in
toned to hear condemnatory remarks
respecting that gentleman.
why. in the first place. darling. as
You are only too well aware" replied
Bob, she refused his consent 10 our be-
.lg 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 bit" answered Bob. impa-
tiently. ''lf 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 nonsense!" exclaimed the
young man, irritably. DO you think
I'm boy, to change my mind every
five minutes:''
20, no, DEAR" replied Cicely, caress-
ingly, but such things have happened,
you know, and though it would break
my heart to lose you. would rather
you found out you didn't love me be-
fore we were married than after
wards"
But do love you, my own little
sweetheart, and always shall, ana 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 Il
nurse probationer at the same estab-
lishment, aged respectively 20 and ID.
They had fallen in love with one an
other some six months previously, and
Bob had at once written home to his
uncle, Ma1cr Mainwaring. who stood in
loco parentk 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 Sc
Guided 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, l heard the other day." re-
sponded Bob. that he was dangerously
i'll. had fall while hunting. and so
thought it 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 which
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 dom,
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
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 BCNGER."
Hes the old mans valet and facto
tum," explained Bob, as he finished
reading the letter. "And now, don'1
you think that it is the most selfish let
terry you've ever heard
We'll. dear, think You ought tc
| make allowances"
Look mere, Cicely," interrupted Boz
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 liyy
| much longer. who's had lots Of fun IL
/ LIS udy USSA III TIC al Ill luuIl,
a. that sort Of thing, you know, anf
| 1, Observation-Disclosures in this sort OF
| way. l consit.er TIL. it's disgraceful
1 has had his turn; why can't he le
me have mine!"
bob, I've got an idea," exclaimed
Cicely, suddenly turning round ant
taking his hand in hers as she spoke.
LET us have 1t. my DEAR" answered
Rob, in that patronizing manner which
very young men are fond Of assumin,
In their dealings with the opposite sex
at may suggest something, don't yo1
know"
my idea. Bob, is this: Your uncl
wants a nurse: let me go down and at
tend him, and when I've restored hin
to health and he is completely conval
escent. l can tell him who am
what would be the good Of that :?
asked Rob.
"Why. of courAe, dear. he would b
- grateful that he would at once Civ
his consent to our being married"
"Ha! ha! hav' laughed Bob. 20, yo