The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1899-08-10

r~ the world as it
came to her. For fifty years she had
battled against misfortune until the
warfare had become second nature to |
her.
But there's one blessing that / |
have to be thankful for" she would |
say. "Mr. MARVEL has kept true to
mo through it all as the needle to the
pole"
From this it need not DO inferred
that Mr.. MARVEL was lover of the
little widow. Far from it, He was
only her best boarder-the boardcr
who for hall score OF years had oc.
cupiel her FIRST floor 'front.'" aud
paid his bills as regularly as the
Saturday night came around.
He was bachelor, as may be sup.
posed--a man who was as full OF
whims and caprices as an egg is OF
meat, yet who carried kindly heart
in his bosom beneath it all.
But on this especial Friday morn
ing his eyes blszed wrathfully-the
tip Of his nose hung forth crimson
flag OF Indignation. as Mrs. Hyde
came meekly into his presence.
"A months warning, ma'am," was
all that he said.
Mrs. Hyde caught at the nearest
chair for support.
"Mr. Marvell!" she gasped.
Now, ma'am, it isn't at oil worth
while to go through any SCENES" said
the bachelor, callously. II am q
practical man, as you ought to know
by this time. And I'm not in the habit
of wasting words. Put up bill. Ad-
vertise. Let your room as soon rs
you can, for l move out tomorrow,
although, rs a token of respect for
your many good qualities, I shall pay
my bills up to the first Of June"
LA, Mr.. Marvell!" family ejacu.
latod the widow. How can posi-
bly, have offended you?"
ASK your own conscience. ma ann"
sternly rctorted Mr.. MARVEL.
Because if it's on account Of Patty
and her babies"
ut is precisely on that account,
ma'am. was awakened last night by
the screaming of child"
ITS cutting eye.tecth, poor DEAR"
interposed Mrs. Hyde.
"And this morning, on making in
suiries," relentlessly went on the
bachelor, IL learned that you had ac-
tually taken in your widowed niece
and her twin babies? Twins, ma am !!
One would have been enough-too
much, in fact-but when it comes to
twins"
Patty had nowhere else to 20,
sir" said Mrs. Hyde, apologetically,
land she'll be useful about the house.
Patty's a good girl, sir
II dare say said Mr.. MARVEL.
''But I can't stay in the same house
with twins-so, as before remarked
put up bill as soon as you please. >
please, sir, I'll put Patty and che
children ON the top floor, where they
can't possibly disturb you, if"
II tell you once for all, ma am, thai
1cannot tolerate children, and won't
Will you be kind enough to leave M,
now?"
SO Mrs. Hyde went downstairs t.
burst into tears, back of the pantry
door, where Patty Smith. with on
twin tied in the high chair and tn,
other swarming over the floor, like
magni6ed beetle, was beating egg
for the dinner custard.
"Aunty. what's the matter?" de
handed Patty, still whisking vigor
Ously away at the custard.
Hes going, my dear"
WHO? Mr.. Marvell?"
eyes"
well, let him go, aunty," sal
Patty, cheerfully. She was q dim
pied, pretty little lady, with pleasan,
black eyes aud black hair, parted 10,
on her forehead, not quite twenty, i
spite Of her widowhood and he
twins! cts q cheerful room-you'
soon fill up the vacancy"
but not with such o man as Phlr
cas- Marvell," groaned Mrs. Hyde
"Oh, Patty, you don't know him!'
II know he must be crusty oil
piece, aunty, or he never would oil
Ject to the dear, darling little babies.
said Patty, with loving glance ,
the twins. Don't fret, now, there
adear. tn all come right, see if
don't. I'll write an advertisement
myself, aud take it down to the new
paper Office this afternoon"
SO Mr.. Maxwell packed up b
goods and left, and Mrs. Hyde erie,
ut seems such pity" said sh
latter ten years"
Don't mind it. aunty," said Il
courageous Patty. "T'm sure he mu
be . selfish creature, or no new
would serve you So"
Hardly month had elapsed when
sour.visaged woman came to the Hy,
house and requested an audien
With the mistress thereof.
''You know Mr.. MARVEL, I su
pose," said she.
II know Mr.. Phineas MARVEL
answered Mrs. Hyde, with dignity.
"Well. it's all the same" retort
she Of the acidulated countenanc
Hes boarded at our house thr
weeks and four days. He's do,
with the small pox."
"Oh, my!" CALCULATED Mrs. Hyd
''Poor. dear soul. Aud who tax
care OF him?"
That's just the very question
said the visitor. II can't. I've Q
my own family, as never has had
smallpox, to think of-snd the otl
boarders has all cleared out, and I
doctor don't know OF no one as wor
be willing to undertake the ris
p'raps you could Gomez"
Mrs. Hyde visibly recoiled.
"N--no!" she answered. II wo,
rather not. As you say yourself,
great risk TO run, and"
Bat Patty Smith. who hal listen