The Red Cloud chief., 1901-10-25
BY Amy Randolph.


bentley Grange was a pretty place a,
all times OF the year, but loveliest o.
all when the reapers were at work In
the harvest fields and the yellow lighI
of the October sun turned the wood.
n paths to enchanted aisles. A
long, low structure Of warmly tinted
red brick. with mullioned windows
velvet-smooth sweeps of lawn and DO,
borders, which stood up like walls oi
solid emerald on each side of the path
1t had a Of the antique about It
which n seldom sees In an American
house.
And old Brande Bentley. walking ur
and down in the mellow sunshine. be-
tween the walls of black-green box
with his eyes bent on the ground, and
his hands clasped behind his back
corresponded well with the Grange.
Suddenly a cheerful footstep rang on
the stone terrace ~steps-the sound of a
clear, flute-lilte whistle rose above the
click of the distant moving machine
and Harry Wade, the old mans neph-
ew, stood like an incarnation Of youth
and sunshine before him.
Uncle" he cried merrily. you've
got the prettiest place in the world
here"
Mr.. Bentley took out his big, old
fashioned silver watch.
Two o'clock said he, land the
bank don't close until four. Humph!
1t appears to me, young man. that you
don't stick very close to business
hours!"
Like a limpet. uncle SAID Harry,
and Just for today. viii Caryl has
come to act as a substitute, for J real
ly wanted to see you. uncle"
"Humph!" again commented Mr.,
Bentley. you're very fond of me-
just Of late!"
I'm always fond OF you, Uncle
Brande." said Harry, gravely, but I've
something to tell you"
Some scrape you've got into said
Mr.. Bentley.
Nothing OF the sort, sir!'
Want to borrow money, perbaps,"
Upon my word, no."
You've fallen In love with some
girl. them
You are right this time, uncle
said Harry. laughing and eoloriDg;
"and, OF course. I.have come directly
to o to tell you Of my good fortune.
1t is little Bessie Bird"
"A milliner's apprentice" snarled
the old bachelor.
III she chooses to help her mother
along by trimming hats in her aunt's
millinery rooms. ! see nothing derog-
atory in that" said Harry, valiantly.
"A mere child of seventeen
But ! don't want an old lady OF
forty-seven!"
"Humph!" growled Mr.. Bentley.
What do either of you know of life?'
Not much. to be sure. uncle, rs yet,''
admitted the young lover, but We
think We can easily learn-together."
And where do o think the nap
kins and tablecloths and bread and
butter and rent and water taxes arc
to come from" sardOnically inquired
Brandc Bentley.
II have my salary. Uncle Brande,
said Harry, and Bessie has been edu-
Gated to be very economical"
I'll have nothing to say to such
nonsense said Mr.. Bentley.
But, Uncle Brande, all We want
is"
Nothing, I say-absolutely moth
ing!" thundered the old man. Its
Observation-Disclosures tomfoolery!
II you want my opinion. there II is!
Time enough for you to think of mat
ought to be a law to prevent young
people making fools OF themselves"
And Brande Bentley turned on his
heel and strobe back Into the house.
So that Harry had no very inspir-
ting news for Bessie Bird when he mel
her, as usual. on the corner OF Broad
way, TO walk home with her through
the pleasant autumn twilight.
WAS he very cross?' said Bessie
who was a white-kitteny sort OF a girl
with fluffy yellow hair. dimples in hel
cheeks. and eyes the exact color of the
"fowing-blue" china on our grand
mothers shelves.
A savage az Bluebeard!"
did he scold dreadfully?" asked
Bessie.
Told me ! was a fool"
But IL he won't consent"
Then WI must manage 10 get along
without his consent" said Harry. BE
cause. you know, Bessie, ! do love you
SO very dearly, and you like me q Ill
tie, don't your"
But your mother has always count
ell upon your being his heIr." said Bees
sic. And to lose all that money
just"
Just for love and y0u." archly In
terruOted Harrv ssnnrltna thera II