Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1900-08-02


not resist q glance into the precincts
Of the back parlor, and having looked,
he nudged Hardy's arm delightedly.
There she is now! Take a good look
at her! See her? Sitting by the back
window, with her hair all crinkly and
puffy. Amt she beauty? Did you
ever see finer turned shoulder In
your life? Bless me! 1t makes MI
wish l was 70 years younger!
Wouldn't enter the lists and cut you
outv'
But Harry made no answer. He
stood staring at the lovely, graceful
figure. with the golden hair lying
loosely on the shoulders, and tiny
spray of blue hyacinths nesting among
the tiossy puffs.
'Is that Miss Burr? Are you sure it
is she?'
"Am fool or amt 1? I'm not pur-
blind yet that 1 know of, If am ris-
ing 20. Is it Miss Burr? Yes, it is-the
girl I've picked out for you to make
my niece"
They walked away together. Harry
unusually quiet while Uncle Mortimer
talked vigorously.
''Will you marry her-that's the
question? Yes or no. Consider it well.
Harry-a beautiful, ladylike, educated
wife, with fortune beside herself, my
blessing and favor, and a luxurious,
happy home, with no wish ungratl-
fed. Yachting, summer residence at
the seaside. continental travel when
you wish-everything, and that lovely
girl for your own. Or"
And the ominous silence was suffi-
cient description for the reverse side OF
the picture. Then Harry laughed.
''If you wish me to marry that beau
tiful girl you showed me I'll do it.
She has captivated me already"
And old Mr.. Mortimer slapped Har-
ry's shoulder heartily.
''Bless the boy! l knew he hadn't
an idea what darling she was. Now
talked it over, and the lady herself Is
willing to meet you. All you've to do
is an easy walkover. Tomorrow I'm
off OH visit to the cape for three
months. And when 1 come back I'd
like to bring your bride wedding
present-eh. Harry?"
at shall not be my fault, Uncle
Mortimer"
And while Jasper Mortimer was
chuckling as he rode along in the train
"a hours later Mr.. Harry was sitting
in Mrs. Browns back parlor on gray
and crimson satin sofa, with his arm
around the waist of the beautiful girl
his uncle had pointed out to him."
II never was so surprised in all my
life as when he insisted upon it that
you We're Miss Burr, my darling!
Even now l can hardly realize that it
is you, my own little dear, domesti
Gated with Mrs. Brown as companion"
Miriam lifted her lovely face to her
newly engaged lover.
Il hadn't been here two hours, Har-
ry, when your cards were left, and
Miss Burr had only gone out of the
room moment before. There really is
a general resemblance between her and
me, which accounts for the mistake
your uncle made"
Harry kissed the red lips.
"And what a grand mistake it was
Miriam! He ordered me to marry you.
and l shall obey his orders-inside of
three months, too. Oh. yes, You need
not look so startled, because it must
be as he says, and as | wish, my dar-
ling. We will take Miss Burr and
Mrs Brown into our confidence. shall
we?"
And grand secret they all found it
even pretty, insipid, good-natured
Miss Burr. who was enchanted by the
romantic turn things had taken.
So the weeks went on, and few
days before it was time for Mr.. MOrti-
mer to be home he received n letter
from Harry stating that his one wish
was accomplished-he had that morn
ing been married to the young lady
whom his uncle had chosen and shown
him. and that he would welcome him
in his own house on his return.
Mr.. Mortimer found his house bril-
liantly lighted when he reached it.
early in the dusk Of an autumn even
ing. and in the exquisitely decorated
drawing room Harry met him, with
his beautiful bride on his arm, blush
ing, smiling, lovely as a picture.
Mr.. Mortimer kissed herrapturously.
''My dear, am very happy to see
you here. Harry has done the most
sensible thing he ever did. Welcome,
my children! My dear, you will ac-
cept this as my gift to your
And he handed Miriam a check for
thousand pounds. just as Mrs. Brown
and a pretty, fair-haired girl in trail
ing black silk and diamonds swept into
the room.
'.We are very glad to see you, Mr..
Mortimer. Allow me to present my
niece, Miss Arabella Burrv'
And instead of returning Miss Burr's
bow Uncle Jasper stared like one who
is transfixed with amazement.
"Miss-who? Miss-whO?"
Miss Burr, my niece. You remem-
ber-
xxyI, I;aIr ,e, ter