The Florence daily tribune., 1899-10-12

be the prettiest girl in town. Mrs.
Petro Peterson-it don't sound so very
bad after all. III show the young
slips what an old bachelor can do in
the way of matrimony."
As he turned. chuckling. to enter the
front door. already in Imagination
leading JEANNE Cope to the flower
decked altar a light football sounded
on the steps behind him, and slender,
good-looking young man of some four
or five and twenty stood before him.
Good morning. uncle" he cried,
breathlessly.
Good morning. joe" returned Mr..
Peterson. nodding to Joseph Franklin,
his only nephew. What brings you
here in such hurry?"
rs your house let yet, uncle?"
"Yes-no-I don't exactly know" re
sponded Mr. Peterson. a little awk
wardly What does 1t matter TO you
whether 1t is or not. hey you young
scapegrace?"
Much. sir. To tell you the truth.
was thinking of renting it myself"
"You!"
Yes, l. I'm going to be married
next week, uncle"
"A very sensible plan" said Mr.. Pc
zerson, beamingly.
I'm glad you approve Of it, sir, and
in case my wife and conclude to take
a few boarders can l have your prom
Use to consider you as one?"
THAT is, in case you take the
house?"
Yes"
Il cant promise; in fact. think
I've already engaged myself" said Mr..
Peterson, Importantly. "To speak
frankly, Joe. I've some idea of marry
ing myself"
you, uncle?" exclaimed Franklin,
in amazement.
And why not?" testify demanded
Petro Peterson, his bald crown turn
ing pink with excitement I'm not
Methuselsh, neither am | Catholic
priest Why shouldn't | get married.
There's no reason on earth why you
shouldn't, uncle" responded Joe,
smothering a laugh: only, you see,
you took me rather by surprise. In
that case, why shouldn't we have the
pleasure of accommodating both Mrs.
Peterson and yourself?"
Because, sir" said Mr.. Peterson,
sententiously, because my mother-in-
law that is to be takes boarders, sir; a
few boarders. in a genteel sort of way,
and I've all but promised myself to
her"
"All butt There is a chance. then.
Of"
"A very slender one." unwillingly
admitted Mr.. Peterson.
"And If you should make no other
house?"
Yves. l suppose So"
There can be no harm in my bring
ing her to look at the house this after
noon after Office hours?"
mo, | suppose not"
And with this ungraciously accord
ed permission Joseph Franklin was
forced to be content while Mr.. Peter
son went back to his room to think
about JEANNE Cope.
Il do believe I'm in love" thought
our middle-aged hero. "I'll take ci-
gar-no | won't either. Jeannie may
object to smoking and a man that's as
good as married ought to be little
careful about such things
He was making a little pencil esti-
mate about the probable cost OF re-
furnishing the apartments he ot upied
with velvet and satin. according to
Jeannies not particularly economical
ideas, that same afternoon, when Jo-
nj. 1ftt
proud.
She's down In the parlor, uncle"
rs she?" said Mr. Peterson
He followed his nephew resignedly
down to the parlor, thinking the while
of far other things and suffered him
self to be led to little sofa in the
bay window, where slender young
lady was sitting, toying rather nerv-
ously with pink parasol.
Uncle" said Joe, proudly, this is
my promised wife. JEANNE, this is
Uncle Petro Peterson"
JEANNE Cope!' gasped the aston
ished bachelor.
You'll give me kiss, uncle, won't
you?" said JEANNE, putting up her
coral lips in the most bewitching way
n the world. Il said it was mamma
this morning. but it was really Joe
and | that wanted the house"
1t was, chr said Mr.. Peterson, with
a curious commir CLING of sensations
Yes, and you know you promised
to get married and board with us. He
did, indeed, joe"
The bachelor burst into hysterical
laugh.
q was only joking" he said. Mar
ried, indeed! I'm not such a fool yet.
Give me the kiss. JEANNE. I'll stay