Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1900-09-03
HIS UNCLE'S CHOICE.

his handsome nephew Harry, and If
there was any one thing that was the
desire of his heart above another, it
was that his nephew should marry to
suit him, and at least five years had
been spent in the search for some one
good enough in all respects for his
boy.
He was rich, old Mr.. Mortimer, and
besides Harry there was no one in
the world to come into possession OF
all the immense estates.
"And if you suit me, my boy, in the
choice of Il wife, you shall have every
farthing l leave. If you'll marry to
suit me, you and your wife shall live
in luxury and elegance. If you don't
but you are no fool, Harry"
And until Harry Mortimer was 20
he thought it was the easiest thing in
the world to keep in Uncle Jasper's
good graces. And then, as the fates
would have it, he fell in love with
Miriam Langton-a lovely, blue-eyed,
golden-haired little girl, with n com
pleXion like sun-ripened peach and
lips so sweet for kissing.
But she was poor and obscure, and
veritahle nobody so far as social
position went. And of all things Harry
knew his uncle most desired him to
make a most magnificent match,
which the handsome fellows attract
yeness of manner, and the Mortimer
wealth to back him, made an easy
matter.
Brave, bold and honest, Harry went
at once to his uncle.
'Uncle Jasper its come at last. I'm
in lovew
in love! In love with whom?
And for all there instantly came a
thunderous look on Mr.. Mortimer's
forehead and eyes, Harry went grand
ly on:
"The sweetest girl, the prettiest lit
tie lady you ever saw. Uncle, she's
lovely enough to captivate even you.'
"Humph | don't know that I'm so
obstinate as to require any extra
amount of attractiveness to please me.
I'm not IA stick, not rock, for all
l never married. Who is she-this di
vinity of yours"
THE sweetest name-Miriam Lang
ton"
And Harry pronounced it tenderly
and caressingly.
"Pretty enough name-but a name
alone is not much! Who is she?
Where does she live? What's she
worth?"
And then Harry knew that the tug
of war was at hand.
"Well, uncle, Miriam lives at the
Hampton's. She's nursery governess,
and she's poor as a church mouse, sir,
and I'm in love with her"
Mr.. Mortimer frowned.
'Then get out of love again Just as
soon as you can, for if you marry any
other girl than the one I've picked out
for you you know the consequences"
Harry looked at him.
"The girl you've picked out?"
"Just so-AIiss Arabella Burr, worth
cool quarter of million, and an or
phan and a beauty. She is visiting
from Liverpool now at the Browns.
Talk about your sweetness and your
loveliness. Miss Arabella's the hand
soonest girl l ever laid eyes on, and
I'm judge, Harry. Something of the
blonde, you know"
Harry shook his head.
I'm sorry, sir; but | had already
made up my mind before l spoke to
you. l know perfectly well what l
resign for NIiram's sake; but, sir, L
love her, and nothing would compen-
safe me for the loss of her"
stuff and nonsense. At your age,
too, when there's pretty faces to pick
from everywhere. You are not going
to be fool, Harry-an-an ass, | was
going to say. Put on your hat, and
come up to Mrs. Browns with me, and
I'll convince you you can be mistaken
in imagining there's but one pair of
eyes in the world for you. I'll guar
antee that one glance from Miss Ara
bella's eyes will settle you. I've seen
her, you know at distance, and she's
-. Well, come and see for yourself"
Harry laughed as he took up his hat.
"Of course I'll go. l never could re-
sist the temptation of looking at a
pretty girl But | tell you, it's no use,
I'm going to marry my little Miriam"
And for all Mr.. Mortimer's face be-
came very flushed, and his eyes an
CRY, and his forehead fun OF deep
wrinkly frowns, he did not say much
more upon the subject while they were
walking down towards the avenue.
But Mrs. Brown was not at home
when they arrived there, and Mr.. Nor
timer was forced to be content with
simply leaving their cards.
"Unless you wish to see Miss Burr,
sir. She is at some in the back par
lor.,'
But Mr.. Mortimer had'not as yet had
the great happiness of an introduction
to Miss Burr, and so he was obliged to
murInur something about ''some other
time" and regrets and pleasures"
Nevertheless, as they passed the rose
hung bay windows, where the lace
30 a,,1 T,,. Tt