Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1904-11-10

HsT One Accomplishment

~ I'D MIX. BROW stood i'll his
w private office, with his back to
the FIRE and his cOat-tails bal
anced on either hand. He was bald.
headed old gentleman with ruddy
complexion, keen, black eyes. and leg
of-mnlton whiskt IS which We're white
as SHOW
And Miss Nelly Torrance sat look
ing at him timidly from the depths of
her big armchair in which he had
beckoned her to seat herself.
so you are my Cousin Adrian's
daughter?" said he, after long
pause.
Yes" said Nelly, wondering what
was in all those mysterious tin boxes.
and whether the monster iron safe
was full of gold and silver pieces.
And you want something to dog
Yes, please
'Hunph" said Mr.. Brown.
Nelly glanced shyly up into his face.
But she added with some spirit,
Il am not asking for charity. am
willing to work.
You mean YOU would like to daub
canvas, or sew yellow sunfiowers on
green plush screens" satirically OBJ
served the old gentleman. Il don't
call that work.
Nor |. either" retorted Nelly.
Then what do you mean?" said Mr..
Brown
Il mean that | shall be glad to do
any sort Of honest work by means Of
which | can earn my own living"
"Humph"' again interjected Mr.
Brown. Can you cook?"
Yes" Nelly answered.
Il don't believe it,"
But l can"
Very WE'LL said Mr.. Brown. releas-
ing his coat-tails and sitting down at
his desk. rs if the question were def
initely disposed of. MY cook went
away this morning. | haven't engaged
any one in her place. You may come
this afternoon. and see what you can
do for me-"
Mr.. Brown fully expected that his
young cousin would recoil indignantly
from his proposal. but she did nothing
of the sort. She simply said. Yes
Cousin John" and asked for his pri-
vate address.
Mind you're punctual." said he. as
he handed her the penciled card.
Il am always punctnal" calmly re-
torted Nelly.
Mr.. Brown watched her out of the
Office with Il QuiZZical twinkle in the
corner Of his eye.
'She won't come" he said to him
self i've seen the last of my fine
relative"
Nelly Torrance Went home to "A little
secondfoor room. the cheapest the
widow aud her daughters could find.
Mrs. Adrian Torrance was dressed
in black. She was q fair. delicate
piece of human china. who had been
like the lilies of the field in that she
''toled not, neither did she spin" Lu-
cetta. the elder daughter, was trying,
unsuccessfully enough, to trim black
crepe bonnet, by the window.
They had come up from the country
at Lucetta's suggestion, to appeal, in
their poverty. TO this rich cousin of the
dead father and husband, but none Of
them anticipated any very satisfactory
results from the experiment.
"These rich people are always miser-
ly." said Miss Lucetta.
"And I've understood" sighed the
gentle little widow. that he was not
plea sed when Adrian married me-"
"Well:' cried Mrs. Torrance. eager
~. as Nelly entered.
What does he say" questioned Luz
cetta. dropping the folds of crepe
which she was vainly endeavoring to
fashion into what the fashion-plate
called an "obong bow"
II have seen him. said Nelly. I'M
tying her bonnet-strings, land I'm GO
Ing to his house in Grandover Park
this afternoon"
You don't mean" cried Mrs. Tor
rance, with spasmodic catching of
her breath, that he is going to adopt
you?"
Not in the least" said Nelly. Now.
mamma. don't jump at conclusions.
Just hear my plain, unvarnished tale.