Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1898-11-06

traces Of tears could be removed. Miss
Keoecca was at the door. saying tina,
Col. We'lby. their neighbor over the
way, had sent them basket of choice
lettuce, with his compliments.
Miss Annie stood trembling. shave
only one question to ask. Rebccca." she
said, sole1nuly. did he know Betty
would be here:"
Betty He doesn't even know we
have niece"
Miss Annie sat down. ~ don't feel
quite WELL" she explained. "You will
OF course. return our thanks 10 Col.
Wellby. 1t was very nice Of him. very
kind and thoughtful"
I've already returned thanks" re.
piled Miss Rebeccu, also seating her
self. "Col. Wellby is n nciyhbor we
ought to be grateful for. Annie" She
snid, invitingiy.
II realize it," faltered Miss Annie.
lie is gentleman" continued Miss
Rebecca. 'of good heart and sound
common sense"
Il know it," assented Miss Annie.
I'm trying to say that believe Col.
Wellby is in love with you, ard be-
ieve. too.that you're in love with Col
Neilby Why don't you settle it be-
tore something happens?" and Miss
kebccca, startled at her own bcldness.
"ed from the room, reaching he hall
as The bell rang again. this time really
announcing Betty. Much con;mo,iop
followed, during which Miss Annie had
no time to reflect on her emotions.
Miss BETTY Jocelyn was lively girl
OF Is and won her way at once into the
aearts of her aunts, Miss Annie and
MISS Rebecca. though the former was
IS and the latter 80 years Of age. Ii
was almost trial to Miss Annie that
she liked the girl so much. Before She
had been there week Betty had rev.
oiutionized the staid little establish
ment; her popular songs had taken
the place Of Miss Annic's ballads on
the piano, her half-fnishcd pieces of
fancy work lay here and there abou.
the tidy sitting-room. her guitar de-
cupted the sofa. and her pug dog The
mending basket. She had made the
acquaintance Of everyone in he neigh
borhood. Col. Wellby first Of ali. after
which she sought him constantly,
while Miss Annie looked on with word
less foreboding. Miss Rebecca had
said her say" to Miss Annie and She
never repeated herself.
The climax was reached when onc
evening in the third week of the visit
Miss Annie from the window overheard
these words in the garden below:
Then YOU would really marry a mar
70 much 01dpS than vcyreo1fo,. ,-,
the colonel. and Betty answered with
. matter of fact yes"
Miss Annie sat dryeyed anG calm
She had known it.wouid come. There
Is only one thing Iblame myself for"
she said, looking about the room.
which suddenly seemed quite empty.
II might have warned him and did
not. | don't know that he would have
needed it, but at least might have
done that much. My dream is over"
she exclaimed to the familiar objects
that had received her condolences.
but my duty shall be done now.
though so late"
She descended to the sitting-room
and returned with the magazine con
.alhing the parallel story. pencil in
hand as if TO mark a%esson. Her firm
ness almost gave way as she rercad
the secret tender thoughts tbe
heroine had directed to the hero. INT
she passed quickly along till the en-
trance OF the niece, when the pencil
came into play. After the description
OF the niece's beauty she wrote in \
small disguised hand. "skin-d,,, ;,