The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1899-12-05

this time with very long, grave lace |
In his hand he held an open letter.
There, Master Charlie" he said. |
"I've been and done what | have never |
done before. This letter be for the mis-
tress, but l see it was from the major,
and | opened it."
Il say! You shouldn't have done
that" demonstrated.
"Should or shouldn't, did," retorted
John, half defiantly. ''And I'm glad l
did too. The major offers the aunt
marriage in this letter, and he's going
to call for his answer this afternoon"
"Phew"' l whistled in great dismay.
"What's to be done nowT'
Master Charlie" cried old John very
earnestly, 1.-The aunt must be got away
this very morning before the major
comes. Fortunately, the doctors COM
ing this morning to see the mistress
about her eyes. Now, if you'd see him
first Master Charlie, and confide to him
the exact state of the case, who knows
but what he'd find the condition of the
mistress eyes so very critical that he'd
order her up to London to see special
ist this very day."
The doctor, a charming old fellow,
who had known me ever since | was
born, was divided between concern and
amusement when he heard what had
to tell him.
Hem! I've been afraid of this for
months. And your aunt is in such a
| foolish, weak minded state that she
would probably yield to him. Hem!
hn q isf
eyes shortly. And why not now"
l was waiting for him in the hall
| when he came down after seeing my
aunt.
1--WE been as urgent as | could" he
said, with a shrug of his shoulders.
But she declares it is impossible for
her to go today. However, | met John
on the stairs and tipped him the hint.
| He'll induce her to go If anybody can.
He has ruled her so long that he can
make her do very much what he likes. "
| / ran up to the morning room. There
found John lecturing my aunt.
| ''If thee'll not take proper care of
| theeself, mistress" he said, with de-
termination, Il shall do it for thee.
knows my duty to thee, and l don't
forget my promises to the dear master.
I'm going to telegraph to the Langham
for rooms, and Pm going to give
Saunders orders to pack thee things,
mistress. We shall leave today by the
o'clock train"
About a week later 1 had letter
from John apprising me of the event
which l feared. The major had found
out where my aunt had gone and had
followed her to town. He had actually
been to call upon her that afternoon
Would 90 UP at once?
/ John met me, and | insisted on his
riding inside with me, in order that he
might tell me just what had happened
about the major, John" | began a
once, with keen anxiety.
"The majors a-been," replied John
with to me somewhat irritating de
liberation, ''and he's a-gOne away
again"
"Why? What do you mean? Has
aunt refused him."
"She has, Master Charlie"
Good biz, indeed" l cried. Il wa
afraid was almost sure she-She-
would accept him."
"Listen, Master Charlie" said the oil,
man, with an air of suppressed elation
"Thee knowest l have wonderful pow
: er over the mistress to make her d.
pretty well what l likes. I've a-exer
cised that power, Master Charlie. an
I've a-exercised it in such way as t
J spoke the majors wheel for good an
all.
Il thought to myself: Now, If ca
find a man as would marry the mis-
tress and not presoom upon it-one a
would be content just to be her hus
j band In law and in nutthink else, som
: quite steady, dependable man as woul
: thoroughly know his place an
wouldn't blab-if l can find such
: man. thought, and get the mistres
to 60 through the form Of marriag
with him-by special license, say, an
3 on the strict q. tit would answer til
!, purpose as nutthink else would, fo
then her marriage with the majo
would be quite impossible
81 looked about for that man. fOun
him, Master Charlie. l made the mi!
U tress marry him."
e Hes her husband now in law
r though in nutthink else, nor ever wi
be. But he's spoked the major, an
J. that's all he wants. Canst thee gues
J. his name, sirT"
g Not you, JohnY l cried in amaz,
ment.
It AYE, me-" replied the old butle
quietly. ly.-Philadelphia Item.