Valentine Democrat. (Valentine, Neb.) 1900-1930, 1900-05-24


''Your news" contemptuously. Il know
the style so well! Mrs. Bell has got
new bonnet, and all MaXton is shaken to
its center. You are about to inform me
that Lady Louisa has had fit, or-or-
could it be that Mr.. Vashon has again
made you an offer of his hand and
keart?
''You are getting quite hot, l declare!
quite hot" cried Gussie, rubbing her
hands ecstatically. Its a wedding IN
the family, but am not to be the VIC
tim"
sNo?' in an accent of surprise; then
it must be F'lo?
"No, no. no." each no louder than its
predecessor.
You don't mean to say that Mrs. Bra
bazon-" with gesture of horror.
Not Mrs. Brabazon," laughing and still
rubbing her hands, though L would not
mind if it were 1 would give her away
with pleasure Try again.
Then there's no one left but Aunt
Jane" said Esme, looking at her Sister
obviously.
And pray, what do you call yourself,
! my deary' impressively; ''it is you-you,
who are going to be married. Now, then,
/ folding her arms, putting out her under
! lip, and shaking her fringe with ges-
/ ture of decision.
| "IY' pausing and surveying her sister
/ with bewildered eyes, her mouth slightly
parted. After a silence Of clear sixty
seconds she found speech. Only that L
/ know that you are almost a teetotaler,
your whole appearance and conversation
would warrant the suspicion that you had
! been visiting the Barley Now"
Barley Now or not, you are going to
be married, Miss Esme Brabazon!'
"Well, if 1 am, it is certainly the first
have heard of it, ironically, (which is
who is to be the happy bridegroom? Have
[ the pleasure of knowing him, even by
sight?"
mo, you have not" eXultantly. Yes,
yesv' hurriedly, in answer to the express
sion of her companions face. I'm quite
sane and perfectly serious, although 1t
sounds quite too unaccountable, as Aunt
Jane would say; but" clearing her throat,
you are aware that Uncle George is
dead"
''Well, considering that I've known that
fact for quite three weeks, and that L am
at present making our mourning, your
news is something astonishing" sarcas-
tically. Uncle George is dead; I'm go
ing to be married! Do try and think of
something else, or is it a new game"
BE quiet, Esme; you are just as bad
as Teddy. The will has been found, after
d long search, in a coat pocket-of all
places! and particulars have come by the
afternoon post. Mr.. Bell has been over
to Byford and brought our letters"
But to the point, my good girl, if there
is one!''
1.-The point, is that he has left two hun
dred year to SOpp and the parrot, twen-
ty pounds to each of US for mourning
ring
"And this has turned your head" broke
in her sister. How l wish he had left
US the money instead!'
do let me fnish,' cried Gussie, with
an angry little stamp. Il want to be the
first to tell you! I've kept the last as a
kind of plum; listen," gesticulating ex-
citedly ''All his money in the funds,
forty thousand pounds, goes to you and
Miles Brabazon; and here is the cream of
the whole thing, provided -you-marry-
each-other within six months of his de-
cease. Now, is not that news for you!
What do you call that but a wedding in
the family?' she demanded triumphantly
of her sister, who stood staring at her
with pale, wide-eyed astonishment.
''It is not true. l don't believe it. It's
joke" she said at last, in faint voice
gazing at Gussie with a look of horrifed
incredulity.
| O1,ita oI1ita tr11a. hao,1tiful1v do
lightfully truew returned the young lady
"Come and let us have a dance of jubi
Iee," humming a waltz, and seizing hel
stupefed sister around her waist, anC
beginning to whirl her about the room.
Stop, stop, stop, Gussiep' she cried
breathlessly; ''are you in your right
senses?" holding her fast, and gazing in
to her flushed face and sparkling eyes
care you serious? Just let me look al
you" drawing her toward the window.
Perfectly serious" she painted, ''anG
nearly out of my mind with joy. Yor
will have a nice little hou5e in town, {
victoria for the park, lots of dances anG
dinners, at which your elder sister
charming Miss Brabazon, will be the
piece de resistance"
"Poor old gentleman! l always though
he was odd; very queer, indeed re
turned her sister, slowly.
miles is in Burmah, l believe" sale
Gussie. 'I wonder what he Will thinl
Of this legacyp
''Think-what every one must think,
returned Esme, decidedly, that Uncle
George was mad!'
''Not bit of it, my dear. grant yol
he was cdd, eccentric. Mrs. b. once
wanted Aunt Jane and Flo to have hin
looked after and locked up, but it woult
have been utter nonsense. Because {
sman wears queer clothes and devours no
curries and Arabian and Persian low
tales, it does not naturally follow that BIZ
is a lunatic. He was perfectly well abl'
to manage his affairs, and was very sharl
. about money"
''Well, it's no business Of mine," salt
; Esme, Struggling her shoulders; "only In
sorry he made such q foolish will"
Foolish will" cried Gussie. "Wha
| do you mean? It's beautiful will. Don
tell me that you are not going to MARI!
Miles Brabazon-not going to jump q
him and the legacy"
81 certainly am not. What way yol
talk. Jump, indeed!' getting rather red
and STOPPING to pick up her scattered
work. "I would not marry him on an.
| aocounf nor hp mo. we are not crazy. W.