Ottumwa tri-weekly courier., 1904-01-16

WAL, l s'pose ought to be kinder
easy on him on that account. must
say he managed things fust rate"
How did the brides look?" asked
Betsy.
Poor girl, she was one of the few
who were not able to view the grand
sight.
II can think of no word to express
my feelin's," replied Mrs. Hawkins af-
ter pause, "but splendiferous! HUI
dy's dress was white satin that would
a stood alone. She had overskirt of
netted white silk cord, heavy enough
to use for a hammock You know
she's neither light nor dark, kind of a
between, but she looked mighty poor
ty all the same.
WAS Tilly James dressed in white,
| too?" inquired Betsy.
No" answered Mrs. Hawkins. "she
wore a very light pink silk, with a
lace overskirt, and 1t Just matched her
black eyes and black hair fine, I can
tell yer"
MANDY must have looked pretty,
with her light curly hair and blue
eyes, and those rosy cheeks"
"Well," said Mrs. Hawkins reflect
lively, I'm her motner, and course
I'm prejoodished, but honestly think
she was the best lookin' one of the
three. OF course Hiram is no beauty,
and I'm all out of patience when he
tries to talk to me. But know he'll
make Mandy a good husband, and
that's tarnal sight better'n good
looks"
What color was Mandy's dress?"
persisted Betsy.
Lord a massy," cried Mrs. Hawkins,
II cen Almost forgot to tell yer. Her
dress was a very light blue silk, with
a lace overskirt, bout the same as
Tilly's. Mr.. Sawyer gave ner 5000 to
buy her things with, cause she's been
so nice to him since he boarded at Pet
| tengill's."
Who was that stylish lookin' lady
that came in carriage with the four
beautiful horses? I saw her outer the
attic winder.'
"She was a Mrs. ~lessman," replied
Mrs. Hawkins. heern tell she's a
widder'd aunt of Mr.. Sawyer's, and
she's as rich as Creazers."
How rich is that?" inquired Betsy,
with an astonished look
"Creazers," replied Mrs. Hawkins,
with an expression lnat savored of cru
dition, was a man who was so all
| fired rich that he had to hire folks to
spend his money for him"
AT that moment step was heard in
the dining-room. and both Mrs. Hawk
ins and Betsy flew to wait upon the
newcomer who proved to be Mr.. Quin-
cy Adams Sawyer. AS he took his
seat at the table the Connecticut clock
on the mantelpiece struck 10.
At II o'clock that same morning
Mr.. Sawyer knocked at the front door
of Mr.. Ezekiel Pettengill's residence.
How strange it seemed how much
more homelike it would have been to
have entered by the back door and to
have come through the kitchen and
dining-room, as of old. But no! He
was not q regular boarder now, only
an occasional visitor.
The door was opened by young Mrs.
Maxwell, and her usually rosy cheeks
were ruddier than ever when she saw
who the caller was.
SIS Miss Pettengill in?" Quincy po-
litely inquired.
She's in the parlor, sir; won't you
walk in?" And she threw open the
door of the room in which Alice sat by
the fire.
do disturb your dreams, Miss Pet
tengill?" asked Quincy, as he reached
her side.
I'm so glad you have come, Mr..
Sawyer" said Alice, extending her
hand. 81 never was so lonesome in
my life as I have been this morning.
The house seems deserted. Uncle Ike
ate too many good things yesterday,
and says he is enjoying an attack of
indigestion today. had Swiss in here
to keep me company, but he wouldn't
stay and Mandy had to let him OUT
HE came up to Mrs Hawkins"
said Quincy, as he took his accustomed
seat opposite Alice. "He walked down
with me, but when he saw me safe on
the front doorstep he disappeared
around the corner"
II didn't tell him to go after YOU"
said Alice, laughing; "but l am very
glad that you have come. | have
very important matter to consult you
about You know you are my bust
ness man now"
I'm always at your service" replied
Quincy. Il think | know what you
wish to see me about.
"And what do you think it is?"
asked Alice, shaking her head mega
lively
We'll" said Quincy, :" / saw Squire
Rundlett the day before the weddings
and he thought that you might possi-
bly, want some money. He had $1,000
in cash belonging to you and brought
you half of it. If you will kindly sign
this receipt" he continued, as he took
a small parcel from his pocket, you
will relieve me of further responsible
ity for its safe keeping"
He moved the little writing table
close to her chair, and dipping the pen
in the ink he handed it to her, and in
dicated with his finger the place
where she should sign. She wrote as
well as ever, though she could see
nothing that she penned.
There are eight fifty-dollar bills,
eight tens and four fives," he said as
he passed her the money.
Which are the fifties?" she asked,
as she handled the money nervously
with her fingers.
Here they are said Quincy, and he
separated them from the rest of the
bills and placed them in her hands.
"Oh! thank you, said she. She
counted out four bills and passed them
to Ouincy "That settles nv money