The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1910-05-26
CIT IS NEVER TOO LATE TO MEND

Esther answered not. So preoccu-
pied was he that breakfast concluded,
he left the room forgetful of the mis-
sive that had caused his annoyance.
This was the opportunity that Es-
ther had prayed for. Quick as flash
she was upon it, opened it and read:
Will arrive tomorrow about 4 p. m.
Reginald" The name gave her a
thrill of ecstasy. Reginald was her
cousin, a trifle older than herself, but
the guide, guard and champion of her
school days. At last! At last!" she
sobbed, a ray Of sunshine midst the
clouds at last!'' AT last!'' sneered a
voice at her shoulder and turning her
head, flushing guiltily, she gazed into
the cold, melancholy eyes Of Gilbert,
her uncle and her master.
You'vem miscalculated, young lady,
if you thought l would permit you
to dwell in proximity to this gallant
cousin of yours. Oh, no, I'm not that
kind of a person. I've made arrange
ments with McTavish to take you over
to Dumbolton first thing in the morn
ing" said Gilbert, so you'd better
get together such things as you are
likely to need"
Esther was heartbroken after two
years of misery and darkness to be
denied the one solitary ray of sunshine
that promised to come her way. She
begged to be permitted to remain,
begged, promised and wept, in vain.
The old man was inexorable. oh,
no, I'm not that kind of person!" was
the answer he returned to her plead
ings.
SO early the following morning
poor Esther and her scanty belong
ings were placed under the care of
the burly McTavish and sent enroute
for Dumbolton, a godforsaken village
in the heart of the highlands. This
accomplished, Gilbert busted himself
with preparations calculated to make
things as unpleasant as possible for
his beloved nephew. Along toward
the hour named for Reginald s arriv-
al, a second ell gram came as
concise as the previous, stain g
simply: Have changed my mind; am
going elsewhere.-Reg."
I wish you'd go to (naming GER
tain place. and stay there" said Gil
bert, but on the whole he was pleas
ed. Young blood and buoyant spir-
its had no attraction for him. The
son of McTavish was speedily round
ed up and sent upon the trail of his
father with orders to return, there be-
ing no further necessity to proceed.
Three days passed and neither news
nor party arrived. Gilbert was de-
cidedly uneasy. On the morning of
the fourth day the paving of horses
hoofs and lusty tug at the front bell
informed him of their arrival. Don
ming his cap and assuming his sever
est expression he went forth to greet
them, coming over the philippe he
had prepared for their reception. Ar
irving at the gate and peering through
the bars, he was struck speechless
with the salutation:
Hullo, uncle! How do? delivered
in clear, ringing voice which he rec
ognized as his nephew's.
What's the meaning of this, sir?"
he gasped, throwing open the gates.
Meaning? Why it's very simple,
uncle; Esther and l were married
yesterday. Permit me, sir, to intro
duce you to Mrs. Reginald O'Niel.
| We've come to receive your blessing,
sir"
This is sample of your perfdy!'
snarled Gilbert, turning with impo-
tent fury upon the doughty McTa-
wish.
Hoot, mon!" roar McTavish,
pulling his whiskers, L toul'n no to
git marrit!''
Your blessing, uncle, smiled Reg
inald.
Yes!' screamed Gilbert. Take it,
you! er-umph!" Let the band play.
D. M.