The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1899-09-22
@iscellanrnns
THE BRIDES TRIAL.

| character, according TO the eyes With
which they may view him. In the
opinion of some Mr. Benjamin Bene
| dict--not our hero, exactly, but the
next to it, his uncle-was a gentleman,
a scholar and philanthropist; while
| others, quite as well qualified to rea.
son and decide, wondered that such
a monster was allowed TO walk the
! earth unchallenged. For old Ben
Benedict was just the sort of man to
| provoke and please in alternatious-a
human March day, with streaks of
| sunshine and chilling gusts sandwich
ed through his nature.
People who knew him liked him
passing well, but it sometimes took a
lifetime to know him as he really
was.
You will be sure to like my uncle,
| darling" said Hugh Benedict to his
young wife. HE is eccentric, but he
is sterling"
Rachel did not answer, but her
blue eyes were wistful and full of per
plexity. Uncle Ben, whom she had
never seen, but of whom she had
heard a great deal, was to her an in
scrutable riddle, whom she feared
more than she was willing to ackDow-
ledge. For Hugh's future depended
10 certain extent upon Uncle Ben
Bene die, and to Hugh's future her
OWE Wa, bound insepara oily.
She was = fair, fresh-lOoking girl,
with veivety cheeks, broze bright
hair, and features fair and delicately
cut ~ II cameo. Hugh was quite GER
tain that Uncle Ben could not see her
without loving her; but then these
young husbands are apt to be partial
judges.
She was sitting in the freight at
their lodgings, when the old gentle
man first beheld her; and the only
warning she had OF biz presence she
saw reflected in HugI's eyes.
My dear, how do you do 2'' said the
old gentleman, kissing Rachel on both
cheeks. And she thought he was not
so terrible after ali.
He turned to Hugh, when he had
thus unceremoniously made himself
acquainted with his new niece-in-law.
We, young man, are you ready to
leave these lodgings and go to your
new homer" he asked; for be it known
that the old gentleman had given
Hugh and Rachel a wedding present
of q new house, wherein they were to
live.
"Quite. SIR" answered Hugh, cheer
lily.
"Shall it be tomorrow"
Yes
''All right"
So Mr. Benedict sat down to spend
the evening and enjoy himself.
"Well, sir" said Hugh, when his
uncle was taking leave, and paused
on the front door step 10 light cigar.
"Well, sir" said Uncle Benedict,
calmly.
"How do you like herr" asked Hugh.
How can tell?' demanded the old
gentleman, irritably. She's pretty
to look at; so is china doll or white
kitten! 1t isn't always bright calicoes
that wash the best. Good evening!''
And Hugh Benedict, albeit he was
very fond OF his uncle, did not know
whether to be vexed or not.
Early next morning, however, Uncle
Ben made his appearance before the
young couple, breathless and eager.
Trunks packed, eh?"
"All but the last one, uncle" And
Rachel lifted her pretty head out of
the tray, as you may have seen red
clover blossom rise up from beneath
a child's footstep.
Bloomsdale myself, my dear" said
off to Canterbury with these letters.
They're of Importance. I'd go myself
if l were ten years younger, but sud
den journeys don't agree with old
fellows like me-"
Hugh looked aghast at the proposal.
Rachel turned pale.
Cannot the business be postponed,
sir?' said Hugh, hesitatingly.
mo, it can't!' said Uncle Ben, curt
". IF you don't want to 60, say SO.
dare say can find some one else to
go for me-"
"Of course shall CO." said Hugh.
But Rachel"
81 suppose I'm old enough to take
care of little girl like that" said
Uncle Ben, in an aggrieved tone.
you'll find us both in the new resi-
dence. with the table laid for dinner,
when you come back tomorrow"
So there was nothing to do but for
Hugh to kiss his little bride a half
score times, and commission Uncle
Ben to take the best possible care of
her until bis return. Foolish chill
dren!" said Mr.. Benedict. as he saw
Rachel crying on Hugh's shoulder.
But there was CHEEKY twinkle in his
keen gray eyes, nevertheless.
Poor little girl! The atmosphere
had lost something OF its sparkle and
and the world looked less bright as
she journeyed in Uncle Ben's barouche
| toward her new home, with Uncle
Ben's newspaper rafting at her side.
AS the autumn twilight began to fall
| her thoughts became busy, as wo-
mans will at times.
Uncle" said she, turning sudden
| ly toward the the old gentleman,
what sort of house is it? Ours, /
mean?'
"Well," said Uncle Ben, reflective
ly, tits cottage, | should say"
"A modern cottage?''
| well, no; rather of the antique
| order than otherwise"
"Oh," cried Rachel; "Tm glad! l
despise these new, stiff, formal places,
that look as if they were made to be
admired, not lived in and enjoyed.
| Uacle, what are you laughing afr"
AT your curiosity, my DEAR" re-
piled the old gentleman"
"Then / won't ask another ques-
tion," said Rachel. resolutely.
But she fully atoned for the depriva-
ton by sketching on the tablets of
her own fancy and endless variety of
little Gothic structures, with bay
| windows and trellises covered with
climbing roses and honeysuckle; while
Uncle Ben watched her from behind
L.