Gulf Coast breeze. [volume] (Crawfordville, Fla.) 1897-19??, 1898-05-13


"See here, Frank" the old man
said, suddenly wheeling round from
the glass to face his nephew. II have
O bargain to make with you. H,within
one hour, prove Lucia false, mer-
cenary and traitor to her promise to
you, will you give her up? Stop! II
she is true, loving and faithful, I with
draw my harsh words and will give
her the love I always hoped to give
your wife"
"But how can you find out?" said
the young man, astonished at his
uncle's energetic proposal.
ut is you who are to find out. !
am already satisfied. You ace to go
to the centre window of the small
drawing room on the porch and listen
to the conversation I am to have by
appointment with Miss Frothing-
hamW
'Eavesdropping!'
"Never mind that grand air of con-
tempt. / am TO have my way for just
one hour, and you can take yours
afterward for lifetime. Will you
go?"
"If you say So"
"Go, then"
Just little later Miss Frothing-
ham, all smiles and white muslin,
sailed into the east drawing room to
greet her elderly admirer. With an
air of deepest devotion he raised her
hand to his lips aud greeted her with
fowery compliment.
II presume" he said, in a low, ten
der tone, "you are not at loss to
guess the reason why have ventured
to summon you here. You must have
understood the meaning Of my atten-
tions. Need I tell you how dear
you have become to me? Need I
speak of the love You have inspired?"
"You are so kind" she murmured.
81 am contemplating a speedy re-
turn to the city, and wish to arrange
for the wedding, il can obtain any
expression of your wishes. Do you
object to an early day?"
"Any day will be supremely blest,"
she said, softly, "that makes me your
wife"
"My wife! Bless my soul, my
nephew told me"
ooh, Mr.. Burke, you do not mag
inc 1 have encouraged that boy?" with
an accent OF most magnificent scorn.
''He is an amiable young fellow, and I
have been kind to him. But love be-
tween myself and boy Of that age is
simply preposterous.
~ am aware that the disparity of
years"
"My dear Mr. Burke, do not speak of
that. To me there is a dignity and
nobility about a man who has passed
middle life that can never be attained
without the experience of years. Be-
lieve me, your having slight advan-
tage of me in years will but increase
my respect and detract nothing from
my affection"
"You are only too kind. Then I
may tell Frank that you"
"Why talk of Frank? Surely you
may choose wife without your neph-
ew's interference.
81 choose wife! My dear young
lady, what are you talking aboutp 1
have no intention of seeking wife,"
Observation-Disclosures wife!
Have you not just made me an offer Of
marriage?"
mot at all, was the cool reply. ~
was under the impression that You
were engaged to my nephew. As
Frank is my nearest relative and my
heir, / was anxious to win the affec.
ton Of his promised wife. But since
there is no engagement between
you"
"Oh, Mr.. Burke, you must have mis-
understood me. My only fear was
lest you should not sanction our love.
Dear Frank has often spoken to me
of your fatherly love for him. You
will not repeat to Frank the converse
ton we have had? I-my confusion
you will forget my wild words?"
''But shall notr'
lie oituus puitcu no L tuuh sPohO,
revealing his white face and anger
lighted eyes. Miss rockingham
screamed, aud Uncle Coleman said,
quietly:
"Are you convinced?"
"Fully! The boy, Miss Frothing-
ham, thanks you for showing him the
folly of trusting in the love of CO.
quette. You have given me sharp
lesson. Uncle Coleman; but thank
you that my life has not been blighted
by woman's treachery."
The pale face vanished. Uncle
Coleman, with ceremonious bow, took
his departure, while Lucia Frothing-
ham went into genuine Mysteries on
the sofa.
Uncle Coleman joined Frank on the
porch and, linking his arm in his
nephew's, said kindly:
''Forgive me the pain cause you