Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1898-05-05

| am already satisfied. You are to &c
to the centre window of the small
drawing room on the porch and listen
, to the conversation 1 am to have by
appointment with Miss Frothing-
ham!"
"Eavesdroppingr'
"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, them
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 and greeted her with
fiowery compliment.
81 presume, he said, in 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.
L am contemplating speedy re-
turn to the city, and / wish to arrange
for the wedding, if 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-
"Oh, Mr.. Burke, you do not imag-
Inc L have encouraged that boy?" with
an accent of most magnificent scorn.
HE is an amiable young fellow, and [
have been kind to him. But love be-
tween myself and boy of that age is
simply preposterous.
Il 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 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 1
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 about? /
have no intention of seeking a wife"
'No-intention- -of-seekinga wifei
Have you not just made me an offer of
marriage?"
Not at ALL, was the cool reply. "I
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-
tion 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
tion we have had? my confusion
you will forget my wild words?'
''But shall not!'
The blinds parted as Frank spoke.
revealing his white face and anger
lighted eyes. Miss rockingham
screamed, and Uncle Coleman said.
quietly:
care you convinced?"
Fully! The boy, Miss Frothing-
ham, thanks you for showing him the
folly of trusting in the love of CO.
luette. You have given me sharp
lesson, Uncle Coleman; but 1 thank
You that my life has not been blighted
by a woman's treachery"
The pale face vanished. Uncle
Coleman, with ceremonious bow, took
his departure, while Lucia Frothing-
nam 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 l cause you
'or the love bear you.
81 thank you,'' was the reply. "You
have saved me from life of misery by
showing me mercenary woman's
I shall never feel any
emotion but gratitude that you proved
your words"
Six Thousand Persons in One House.