The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-04-26

volutions?"
But wouldn't it be rather a bother
TO YOU"
Not more than to you"
"Oh, it wouldn't be any bother to
me-" she cried, excitsdly. Wed go TO
the Tower and the stores, and the
Crystal Palace, and the Zoo, and the
exhibftion-and have tea in h gardens
and the opera, and
She saw my face fall. II on1y meant
to some Of them" she explained. You
always do take me to the academy and
one OF " places don't you?"
Il shall like TO TAX you TO some, my
dear" l assured her. Il always enjoy
myself when 1 do. But you know / am
finishing my book just now"
ON, yes! / won't worry you, Cousin
Frank. And-and| could help You
with it, couldn't II" i almost groaned
aloud. Amanda ON Cerebral Convo-
lutions!"
I'm afraid it's rather too dry for
that"
Il might learn the typewriter, md
copy H." sne pleaded a~nxiously. A man
is only a fool after all, however much
he studies N learns. Do you know /
suddenly bent down and kissed her,
M she blushed like carnation.
Il won't let you blunt your finger
ups WIN q L odAi al
lantly. But you shall copy ON
pieces for me-tiH you find some nice
young man, and your engagement
ends" 1t was best to have a clear un-
Outstanding, I thought.
Yes" said she, thoughtfully, "but
oh, Cousin Frank-suppose l didn't
inc any one else?"
Then I shall ave to marry you NY
self. It would be better than old Plu-
tus, wouldn't it?"
"Oh, yes. But 1 shouldn't 1ike-I
couldn't bear to think that you had
sacrificed yourself to me. / should be
| such a bother, shouldn't II"
i looked down ~affectionattely on the
rurnpled hair and inquiring eyes. Il
think|I think, Mandy" I said gently,
Il could put up with you very we'll.
But we have been so used to look upO
one another in a different light that it's
late to change. You see, dear, / have
! grown into a fidgety old bachelor"
you're not really Old; and you're
never fidsety with me; and l owe you
so much"
I'd n1erely paid for her schooling and
| pocket money, and so on. 1 promised
old TOm-poor old Tom!-that I'd take
care of his girl.
That's nothing to do with it Mandy"
/ said, slowly. You see, I've a lot of
" lliSI Sou NcoiN iio
'fAnd 1 like to rush off when I'm not
working, to mems recreatiOns-to play
| cricket, to watch football, orr
Il like watching football" she OBJ
! served eagerly.
I'm used to having meals when l
| please, and going out when 1 like, and
| coming in when 1 like. OF course, I
| couldn't do that if / had a wife. 1t
| wouldn't be fair"
"It would be a little lonely for her.
| said Amanda, Wistfully.
80" / continued, r~esolutely, resist
ing an absurd impulse to kiss her again
Though I think you the INCEST little
woman in the world, dear'-dearS smiled
just like the sun coming QUIT would
be better for you to find some one
younger and less c~rotchety." She tap
ped the ground rapidly with one little
/ foot. meanwhile we're engaged, you
know, and we must live UP to it. Where
shall l take you tomorrow"
ooh no! You must do a lot of your
book tomorrow, and give me some copy
ing to do-about brains and spines, AID
things"
Nonsense, child! Don't i always
take you out when I come to town?
Shall I'VE go to the Academy" She
laughed her old childish laugh.
And lunch at a restaurants she IN
uurf~eS delightfully."-. And go to the
&c Al Palac, afterwards, and have
tea IN the gardens, and see the variety
show, and dine on the fterrace like we
did last year, She. squeezed my arm
in her old way. Wont it he jolly?"
IT was Jolly. The next day I took
her to the Zoo, and smiled to see her
laugh at the monkeys. The day after
I took her to the Exhibition and up the
big wheel, put my arm around her
because SHE was frightened, or pretend
ed to be. L squeezed twice for good
night. Then I began to see that II
would be bad for the Cerebral Con-
vOlutions" if this sore of thing went on
to town at once. THAT light hearted
Young gentleman held his sides With
aughter when / explained the situa-
ton.
so I'm to court your finance-sh
/ used to lie a pretty little girl-and take
her off your hands for an allowance OF
$500 a year?' he said, wiping his eyes;
$500 and $500 make 9SOo-i4Ot
niece"
EXACTLY" 1 said, ap%provingly. "You
always were smart at figures, Frank.
But. my lear uncle, suppose She
won't have me? Besides, I'm not sure
but / think I'm just a little gone OF
Nellie Marchant. Suppose l don't cart
for your Amanda"
She's awfully nace, FRANK yot
couldn't help it," l was sufpflseu d
my doleful tone.
Then" said he, "wheyeveT don you
marry her y~ourself?"
II lit a cigar and d1~ummed on tn
lender with my slipper. I'm too old
too settled in my bachelor ways
Frank 1 said, regretfully. Il dom
know-I'm not sure-if it would do"
Il believe it would be the best thlnt
in the world for rot old man. FRAN
leaned ove the table earnestly. he
! an honest, %unselfish lad; that's VIII!
I'm so fond of him. And I know hex
be good to her.
Well" 1 said. slowly, I'll he homes
with you, Frank. I'm fond OF the chil<
very fond, indeed. If I though tina
she could like me-in that way-Tn
hanged if I would't chance it. But sh
only looks upon ME as an elder brother
Some day, shell paused to blow IN
handkerchief-she would find out. l
u,o,s5,.+ 40. Pm SIRE III wouldn't do.