Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1898-10-27
CAnnter I.

men. you will forgive the shortcomings
OF my speech, and Join with me IN
wishing oil nealti. happiness and
prosperity TO the bride and bride
groom"
Uncle JOHN sat down amid great up
plausc, ani, wiping his bruat, red face,
smiled gcniaily roWrl. as one con
scious OF deserving well Ut the Assem-
blcd company. Then he leaned icross
the table, and added, in 4 confidential
whisper TO the bride
II hope you are satisfied. Mrs. SAINT.
ley: | think I did full justice to the
theme"
The girl started at the sound Of ner
newly-ncGnired ulrae, flushed a little.
md booked Sllyly at her husband. But
he either had not heard the speech
or would not condescend to notice IL;
he WAS drinking champagne thirstily,
and payiag less than the usual amount
OF attention to his bride.
Uncle f0hn Cochranc felt snubbed.
and the Feeling WAS anything but
agreeable ~ The rich city n who
had provided a costly trousseau for his
penniieSs niece and was the real givcr
OF the fcaSt. Mr.. Cochrane was liberal
enoagli In his way. but then he liked
his generosity to be recognized and
appreciated by those on whom llc be-
slowed IL.
He listened with i~ll-cnncealed impa-
ticncc to the coldiy-corrcct periods In
which AIR. Saniiey acknowledged The
compliment paid to himself and his
bride. and. when the speech was
over. Uncle John turned TO his stout
companion and smiling companion and
said, with rough sincerity
II detcst thai fellow-hc is about
the last ma I would have chosen
for Gracep'
Mrs. Mackenzie opened her mild blue
eyes ia aniazrment.
my dear Mr.. Cochranp. you sIr-
prise me. 1 thought you were all ;le-
lighted Will, The marriage!"
"Rh0da MAJ he-t am not" was the
Gruff answer: rnd the speaker hardly
troubled himself to lower The tone Of
his not particularly gentle voice.
"But MIR. SantIcy Is such I'm exec llnnt
match! Dear Mrs. Ieccr was telling
me that his West Indian property IL
enormous, and ln, is Il handsome dis
tinguished- looking nan: they are quite
m ideal pairr" concluded the la,ly. arr
ranging her gold-rimmosi glasses the
better TO regard the objects OF her
praise.
$50 you may tllink, ma'am II 10
not agree, with you. IElt is an said
Uncle John. peeling Il Efael Wit,
much deliheration. II illilk thty are
about rs Unmatched rs man and
woman well can be, fati, unless | MS
take greatly. Grace il much of nly
opinion"
Mr.. Cochrauc spoke so decidedly that
Mrs. Mackenzie felt ii was high ttnic
TO come round to his opinion. Grae%'
Santfey-Rec i.eger WAS Il nice girl.
for whom che had . liking: hut after
oil she knew little Of her. and she most
certainly would not ugfend this c0ilt
Portable. weiI-i0-do lrlciielor Tor her
sake.
Your great generosity deceived me"
she replied, with IN appealing look
ind a pretty affected laugh. II know
all that YOU have done for dear Craze
Ia the matter, and naturally, when |
thought THAI you approved Of the
match. I took 1t fer ganted that ii was
In evey way Desirable
John Cocilrlnc's heavy fice bright
encd Il little. and his shaggy brows
relaxed: the flattery was fstthc- pro-
nounccsi, but itsdid not seem so t. him.
The recognition IL his iibcrality
soothcd and pleased hita. although the
speaker, despite her Strenuous efforts
TO pose a%grrcabiy in his eyes, was no
great fayoritc OF his.
"No doubt. m~a'an-ne doubt he
said Observation-Disclosures james
for Mrs. Mackenzie" biIt o have
been rather ,nisled In this matter. I
consider 1 owe a ,luty TO my sisters
childreBr"
aud nobly you fulfil it" murmured
the lady. in a tone of conviction.
You are very Kind to say so. ma'am.
I might do more. no doubt. but II man
like me has many claims upon him of
which people know nothing; however,
that is neither here nor there"
.THe does not care to confess his own
good Deeds" whispered the widow 10
her peach, at which Uncle John smiled.
~ want to explain 10 a lady OF yolr
discernmcnt how IL is that | seem to
co~untenancc Il thing of which l dis
approvc-no, there h M need for apol-
ogy: you are only too kind. The fact
Is, Rhoda was set on getting u hus-
band for Grace before Ruth who Is
q much brilliant and dashing
girl than her s~ister-could cofne out
into society"
.sBut they are both very young STILL
Truth Is ouIY eighteen. but Grace is
two and twenty quite ,li enough for
a girl without \ fortune to DC settled
down. Rhoda thought this 50 decided
ly that. when Santiey n,et ihcin In the
EDgadinc. aud proposed almost eff
hand to Gracr, my sister came home
in Il yery rapture OF delight. and my
inauirie.s rs To his position hardly
served ia cool her enthusiasm.
He may he a twopenny-halfpenny
gdyentumcr, for all you know said
bluntly, and then [ must alinf slie
showed Il touch OF tho shrewincss
that undeiies Der flnc-lady mir.
.sYou arc very cruel John. 70 talk
Of dear Herbert ia that fashion, she
replied. In m injured tone. then her
eyes necped ont very sharp and bright
from behind thchamikcrchicf that hal
hidden them = moment before. and She
added softly, 'Of course | made all
Inc injuries about his tncomc-h his
rcal position. | mcan--hcforc | per-
miftcd him crvn 10 speak TO the dear
girl. and everything seemcd most
satisfactory; luz my dear generous
brother 4 shall, OF course. refer him TO
YOU. and. IL You are not satisfied well,
xrou know what to do
> =. 49, f4{xrttd AN1ncftan9y naked