Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1898-09-10
AN UNCLE'S CHOICE.

Mr.. Theophilus Templeton leaned back
very comfortably in his crimson leather,
BRASS nail studded library chair, rested his
lips together and looked very benign and
important.
ga rich man, eh9 Well, yes, I am a
rich man-what some people would call =
very rich man-and the beauty of it is I
made my fortune myself. When 1 started
out for myself, a lad Of 10-that's so years
ago or more--I had all my worldly goods
a red handkerchief, slung on a stick
over my shoulders. Today say 1t with
out boasting-there's not a finer line of
afioat than the Clyties, and I
own 'em %all-every blessed bakers dozen
Of EN-"
Fred Warrington listened respectfully
a handsome young fellow, with a wide
awake, frank look in his blue eyes, and q
manly bearing about him that REQ
him wherever he went, very
especially to ladies.
"And yet, with all your wealth, your
beautiful home, your kindly, affectionate
nature, you have used all your life in &C.
riches. You have never mar
had a real, true home, +" he OBJ
"That's the rankest kind of nonsense,
my boy. ! never married because I never
good thing for a young fellow to settle
down. / believe that, il l didn't practice
it. 1 hope you'll marry early, Fred"
A little twinkle was in Warrington's
handsome face.
81 agree with you there, sir, to a L. 1
think I shall marry early"
Mr.. Templeton bestowed q satisfied look
on him.
CAN right, my dear hoy. Marry early
and marry to please me and III remem-
Der you handsomely. Ill give you a coun-
try house to live in in summer time and
the town residence for winter. I'll give
you ten thousand a year income, and your
wife shall have the handsomest diamonds
Street, can collect"
Any one in the world would have
thought Fred Warrington was transported
to the seventh heaven of rapture at the
bewildering prospect held out to him, but
he merely looked a little graver as he
bowed courteously.
81 know you are just as good and gen.
erous as it is possible for man to be, Uncle
Phil, but
Fred hesitated in his speech, and a
thoughtful frown gathered OH his forehead.
Mr.. Templeton looked the surprise he
felt.
"'But! Where can the but be to such
an offer as that? You've only to marry to
please me. BY Jupiter! Frederick, it isn't
possible you're already in loye:"
"Already and engaged to the sweetest
and dearest little dar''-
Mr.. Templeton remorselessly cut short
the loverlike enthusiasm.
"Oh, Of course, of course! But who is
she? What is her name?"
-"She is Miss Rosie Fleming, and she is
q music teacher, and her eyes are
Mr.. Templeton looked sternly across the
library table.
IT don't care whether they are black or
green, you can't marry her. I've picked
out a wife for you, and the quicker you
get clear Of your music teacher the better. ="
M5 II ICu COAOI0N CHCA VAO AOOn VI ~ wv VA
defiance Uncle Phil was acquainted with
came into his eyes, making them deep and
darkly blue.
81 beg your pardon, sir" he said quiet
~, "but q fellow prefers to pick out bis
own wife. I have chosen Miss Fleming"
''The deuce you have! Well, then, Lett
hear what you have to say when l tell you
the lady I have in my eye for my future
niece ia the most beautiful, cultured, re
fined girl who ever flashed into west enc
society. She's rich, too, and just the very
daisy for you. A music teacher, indeed,
when Beatrice Lovett is to be had for thu
askingF'
(which doesn't raise her In my estima.
tion," Fred avowed serenely. Z,
"What!" Mr.. Templeton said sternly.
Erred, you're ia fool"
And then Fred laughed, which had 9
most exasperating effect upon the old
gentleman.
81 say you shall marry her, and I want
you to put on your hat and go with me al
once and be introduced to her. She's stay
Ing at Mrs. Saxony's. Come along, sir!'
Fred rose promptly.
"Certainly. I'll go and be presented IT
her, and I dare say there will be no reason
why I shall not admire her immensely
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