The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-05-27

the morning paper one Sunday while
We were at breakfast. +r
p. What IS It. Neti?" he asked. look
Ing up from the editorial which he was
reading.
She ran her finger down the page.
There. Frank. look at that: I believe
I'll answer that"
Wanted = A mlddle-aged. refined
woman to keep house for n widower
with one child: must thoroughly under
stand the management of servants and
entertain no sentimental ideas what
ever In regard to the widower."
Father read slowly and Joined with US
youngsters in the laugh with which we
greeted the last clause.
II would not trust you. Nell, not to
entertain sentimental ideas toward the
old gentleman. TITS not your fault but
your misfortune that you are quite UNI
able to abstain from flirting with any
man who comes within the radius Of
your eyes. Nell"
Hush, Frank; aren't you ashamed to
speak to Nell so before the children"
said mother. from behind the tall coffee
pot.
"Well, now. I'll leave It to the chill
dren to say whether have maligned
your sister," answered father. with q
droll expression. Speak up, Burrill,
Edith and Dolly, Isn't your aunt
1lirt?"
1--WE answered In q chorus Of Yes"
and poor Aunt Nell threw her napkin
over her face.
II wouldn't give q cent for woman
who wasn't" remarked Burrlll In his
most blase manner.
"Now. Frank, you see the effect OF
your nonsense. AS for you. Burrill. I
should be very srieved to think my son
had no higher ideal OF woman than you
have expressed"
Dear mother takes everything so SER
iously, and SO does little Dolly. thank
goodness that Burrill and inherited
some OF father and Aunt Nelrs sense OF
humor.
But to go back to the advertise
ment." said my aunt. 81 wasn't jok-
ing. Frank. I think 1t is good chance
for me-"
Fudge, Nell, wouldn't hear of it.
Besides. my dear. You aren't middle
aged" Father laughed. THE very idea
Is preposterous."
You are too gallant. Frank. to OBJ
serve my gray hair or notice the little
wrinkles gathering about my eyes"
II only see my dear and beautiful sis
ter. who will never gain my consent to
leave my home to earn a paltry living"
Father spoke erphatically, and the
tears came into Aunt Nells bright blue
eyes. while mother looked quite proud
ard happy. as she always does, when
father lays down the law, as Burr calls
1t.
las said before, you are not mid
dle-ased. I married you sister when
she was is, and you. Helen. was 10
year-old youngster that was only, let
me see, how long ago. Mrs. Williams"
Twenty-Five years ago next month";"
replied mother. smiling.
Dear me. it doesn't seem so long,
does 1t, Dorothy?"
mo. Frank. dear" mother responded.
"All this calculation brings to light
the fact that I am too young to keep
house for q widower. being only child
OF thirty-flve summers"
you know. Nell. that it is not mat
ter of age at all; We can't spare you"
mo. indeed."1 Joined In. while Dolly,
the spoiled one of the family. climbed
into her aunty's lap and walled in 4
manner which Burr and think excusa-
bic. The parents have been very lax
in Dolly's bringing up. often wish she
had some OF the punishment we recelv-
ed at her age.
Burrill and ] walked to church with
Aunt Nell and noticed that when Burr
offered to mall the letter she had In her
hand she blushed as she declined, say
ing she was quite tall enough to reach
the box herself. Aunt Nell is such 4
little thing.
I looked at her curiously, wondering
II it would be impolte to ask her to
whom she was writing.
'Editha." she said before I had de-
clded. how would you like my ecru
parasol? 1t would 20 SO we'll with your
spring suit"
ut would be lovely. Thank you SO
much
Hush, don't talk any more about
fnery; We are right at the church
door," said Burr. whose spasms of pro-
pricty aggravate me: he is always so
afraid won't be in good form" But
he doesn't feel the same anxiety in re-
gard to himself
I think It was Tuesday afternoon.
when came In from high school, that
1 saw Aunt Nell talking with n nice
looking old gentleman In the front par
lor; / am In the habit OF studying In
the back parlor, which we use Tor n IL
brary. so. OF course. 1 went IN there.
and though the portleres were drawn
couldn't avoid hearing the conversa-
ton.
Not what expected O: all. madam"
the old gentleman was saying. Your
letter quite misIed me-"
II regret that It did so. though had
no intention OF deceivirg you or placing
too high an estimate on my capabillt-
les" Aunt Nell can be very d!gnihed
at t.cnes.
MADAM, accuse you OF no decep-
ton, simply state that I don't con-