Year: 1877

tuc CPCIdtIOuSs


Bridget cried he, turning to the
servant who was deluging everything
with hot water. If you don't clear
out of this, at once. I'll discharge You.


IF he does, Bridget said Nancy,
quietly, IN re-engage you.'


You, madam. you,' yelled he, foam
ing with rage, do you know who yon
are?


tYcur cousin, l presume


My housekeeper, madam. And I'll
IN discharge you, too. Both you
and Bridget shall pack up and leave
the house at once.


Hardly had the words left his
mouth when he was sorry he had ut
tered them.


But it was too late to recall them.


Nancy Immediately ceased her work
and motioned Bridget to do the same.


Then she rose to her feet. and dry
ing her hands and smoothing down
her dress, turned to her cousin, aud in
tone which despite her efforts to
appear calm, slightly trembled, said :


Very we'll, John Juniper. You
discharge me; will go back to my
farm. can get along without your
aid. 1t was not through charity that
l came here, and God knows that the
last ten years I've earned my wages
shaving and toiling for you. You are
my cousin, and thought that per.
haps-but no matter continued she,
interrup,ing herself. 1T is all over
between us. Come Bridget, you shall
90 with me to my farm


She left the room, followed by the
indignant servant, who, before disap-
pearing, relieved her feelings by shak
ing her fist at the now thoroughly
demoralized lawyer.


Nancy going to leave him! The
Thought struck terror to his soul, and
vet the blind, ST upid fellow never sus-
pecied the true state of affairs, or thai
a word from him would keep her al
ways in the house. as his wife oi
course, instead of packing up hel
trunks for leaving, and sObbing as il
her heart would break, as she, foolish
woman, was doing at that very mo
ment.


Imstead of acting like sensible mal
he viciously locked himself in the
damp. half-cleaned room, and throw
ing himself on chair rename sui
len, brooding and obstinate the whole
day among the suds and water, and
brushes, and pals. and the result was
that when evening came Nancy and
Bridget had left the house. and he was
laid up weth the rheumatisnf.


All through the night he lay groan'
ing and moaning in his bed, and he
might have died, had not by chance o
friend called to see him next morning
who discovering how matters stood
went off and got doctor and nurse


Well, John kept his bed for week
and in that time had ample opportu.
mites for bitterly rejecting on what a
Jewel OF a cousin he had cast off.


The first use he made OF his par
TALLY recovered health was to start of
in hot haste TO Nancy's farm to beg her
pardon and bring her back.


AS his wife, one would suppose.


By no means; in spite of all John
had no more idea OF marrying any
one in general and his cousin Nancy
in particular than the man in the
moon.


He wanted to have her again as his
housekeeper, and that was all.


He had, however, overtaxed his
strength, and no sooner did he reach
the farm when straightway he fel
sick again, and. of course Nancy had
to nurse him back to health again.


Was there ever such an obduratt
man?


Even this new proof of affection haG
no more effect on his obstinate hear
than water on the back of a duck.


His apologies were profuse he CAV.
Nancy full permission to scrub thu
floor of his sanctum every day if slit
wished to do so, and offered TO doubl,
her wages as housekeeper.


This is what he kept repeating ev
cry day until Nancy stopped hlm b!
peremptorily declaring that he nigh
remain on her farm as her guest a.
long as he wished, but that he would
have to return to New York alone
as she could not accompany him as hi
housekeeper.


He might as well ma ke up his mint
to that al once,


John was in despair and took to
making long aud solitary walks oveI
the farm, brooding over his cousin
confounded Obstinacy, as he wa
pleased to term it.


On such ramble he happaned t,
kick a small piece OF rock with hi
foot.


Something peculiar about it caused
HIM to pick it up and examine it NOR
closely.


Suddenly he uttered an exclamation
of surprise.


Gold, gold, Us sure as I'm bOrn,' h
cried.


1t was undoubtedly an ore whicl
he held in his hand, aud it was plain
ly, yisibly minute metallic specks OF
yeliowish, golden radiance.


lie thrust the ore into his pocke
and kneeling on the ground examine
the earth where the rock had lain.


There were more pieces similar
the one he had picked up lying aroun
and as he dug away the cal tn with hi
hands, he uncovered lode OF rocks {
the same constituents, which, for a
l..