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o MY III BRACK LAMVV
0me lil’ bran; 3:1:.yo'faceV\IIIzI‘IIIthV
nut. yo‘ cycsdm shine lIIik :I {‘1'- fly sun. 1,11:
AII' yo' voice it sum 1 c7. 1,1 cu- I: wk 1' 1111111,
0 my lil‘ brook lI'unl
YIIV' {ace \vuz dahla but yo sou! w 112 \v 'lte.
An' 10‘ spirit iI pure .Is 110 Htlmllly L1".It
AII' yo “11/. m1 daI'li1I‘,IIIy leail‘ s IleIlI glib.
My l‘am my lil‘ but: I; Inm'l
(.5 av lii’ hrack lam‘ the MI rm “llz dahk,
l‘II‘ :I. Inice ke~ Ip Gillln' an o: illiII’. thkl
\II' it lcaby‘o sile1‘.a1I‘(-ol' an’ st 11k,
0 my lil' brack lam‘l
For Dr-af‘ ride by in de win‘ (lat. night,
AII‘. lie curry yn' oil? in de gray dawn-light. -'
Laik yo‘ 11'117. Ills duriin'. His heart‘s delight,
, My lam‘. my lil‘ bI-ack lam’l
“my lil' brack lnm'. (is way wuz Ilnlik,
But. do dear Lawd make ll 11. slIiIIiII' mahk.
Aiz‘1301n111110f His Lml) wuzn Hebcnly spuhk,
O my 111 black lam'l
He wanted a flower for His garden bright—
Des‘ 1. lil‘ brnck bud—so yo' bloom on His
. sight.
An‘ y'o' am His darliu' . ills heart‘s delight.
My lam, my lil' bruck lam'l
II, —Ethel Maude Colsnn.
A BiTTER LLbbC
i; av 1:11.111 PLAi‘T GUYTON.
“Tlow can you tolerate it, Lu?" ex-
claimed Mrs. C01'n1an “If he is my
brother, I say itis a shame!" Then,
allowing her listener no time to re-
ply, the energetic little lady rattled, on;
“I suppose you and Clarence must
have an understanding, or you would
have discharged him long ago. Here
has Sidney Lawrence beenwaiting and
serving for you no less patiently than
Jacob for Rachel, these seven years
and more, and yet my recrean-t brother
is the favored one. Unless you take
him in hand soon your lilies and roses
will wither, and even faithful Sidney
will come to worship at a younger,
fairer shrine. Eve1y one supposes that
you and Clarence are engaged, and yet,
he has never in so many words made
you an offer of marriage, Now, while
we know that he considers you his be‘
trothed, he does not seem to realize the
embarrassing position in- whlch this
tedious, courtship ..places . you, and
should therefore be. brought. to a
knowledge of it or punished for his
delinquency.”
During the earlier portion of her
friend's remarks a smile hovered
around Lulu Brandon’s lips, and she
continued her task of cutting the
leaves of the last new magazine; but
as the final sentence was pronounced
her face flushed deeply.
,“My private affairs need not con-
cern. the public, Belle,” she replied
with dignity. “But I agree with you
that I have been too patient, I no
knowledge myself to be considerably,
at fault, for I proved aneasy conquest
and Clarence may have grown luke-
warm in his affection, feeling so secure
_ of «mine. Of course a word or two
from me and I might become a wife
within the next twenty-four hours;
but all such words must come from
my lord himself." _
Her brief displeasure gone, with a
merry laugh she arose and linked her
arm .in that of her friend, and drawing
her to a cosy sofa. in one corner of the
room, proceeded to formulate plans by
which she should bring her lover to
mm without his knowledge of her
donspiracy.
That Veyening, at ten, Mr. Clarence
Curtis suddenly inquired,—-— . ,1.
“Been over to the Brandons’ to- -day,
Bell-e?” \
“Yes, and by the way, Clarence, Lu
requested the to tell you not to call this ‘-
evening as she will _be engaged.”
,“All right, eta; l-‘ll go around to the“
theatre with Roberts. ” ' ,'
There was. a significant twinkle in
her eyes as Mrs. German rejoined, ~—
.: “I hope. you’ll enjoy the play The
Kendals are drawing large houses."
Two hours later MI. Clarence Gurtis
was leisurely scanning the crowded
theatre, bowing to those he recognized,
when. just previous to the rising of the
curtain. his friend Roberts exclaim-
911,—.-
“Why. as I live, there's Sld Law-
rence! Who knew he had returned? 1
interest in the play than in the couple
who occupied one of the boxes nearly
opposite from where they were seated.
Lu head surely never looked so ex~
'uuisiteiy dainty and beautiful as to—
night... She seemed the embodiment
of health, all 11ng with happiness.
Yet the lovely, face and graceful figure
mutated him by the very beauty of
which he had always been proud. This
radian-t] piece of flesh and blood did not
seem so exactly his property as form-
erly. Was it because Sidney Law-
rence was so attentive? They had
been children together, Sid and Lu"
v and he knew she had always regaidedV
the studious. dignified boy and man as
anelder brother, while she ,gave the
love of her young heart to his comrade
and chum. How well he recalled the
days, years ago, when Sid had told him
with sad eyes and tremuious voice that
Lulu had rejected him! He comforted
him as best he could, selfish-ly exulting
in the thought that he possessed her
love unasked, unsought. Strange that
his possession never seemed quite so
valuable as to-nig‘ht! He wondered
what Sidney was saying to make her
smile and blush so deeply. Well. the
act would soon be over, and then he
and Roberts would go and see them.
and so give the public to understand
that matters were as usual between
him and Miss Brandon.
With this thought he resolutely turn-
ed his attention to the stage, and per.-
severlngly held it there until the cur-
tain fell. Then, turning to Roberta, he
proposed that they should go over to
the opposite box. ,
wonder who the lady is!
possible? It’ 3 Miss Brandon!
VCan it be
1 never
supposed she would accept any other
escort save yourself
tie, a lover s quarrel?"
_._—A“.
What is it Cur-
Velllng his s1 rptise With a rrrfx'sr.
smile, .Curtis nonchalantly, replied.- .
"Not to my knowledge." Then he
added somewhat impatiently, “1am no
ogre. Lu has a right to go where and
with whom she pleases.”
In spite of the indifferent manner
and careless tone, Roberts noted that
his theatre loving friend took far less
As they entered it Sidney greeted
them in his usual sincere and hearty
manner, while Lulu, with _a smile, gave.
her hand first to Clarence and then to
Roberts, at the same time motionlng
her lover to a seat by her side. As
Roberts for a few minutes engaged Sid-
ney in conversation, Curtis managed
to ask Miss Brandon whyshe had not
informed him of her desire to. come
to the theatre. She frankly replied
that shellhad felt no special wish to do
so until Sidney unexpectedly called and
asked her to accompany him. This
she told him with a manner so devoid
of coquetry that he felt reassured, and
left her with a complacent feeling that
he was quite ure of her affection.
He called to see her the next evening
as usual, and nothing was said of the
recent incident. Clarence's brief .jeal-
cusy was forgotten, and he calmly ac-
cepted the old condition of things.
Why should be be in haste to marry
even the most charming girl in the
world?
He hesitated to give. up the freedom
and luxury of bachelorhood for the re-
straints which marriage must in-
evitably bring. Lulu was such a de-.
lightful companion and sweetheart!
Would she be equally charming as a
wife? Whether or notshe wished to
marry he never conjectured. He had
always lived for his own comfort, and
self was his firs-t consideration. So
when he left her that evening the
words were still unspoken which would
bind her to him, and he was yet a free
man.
A fortnight passed as usual, with no
change in the relations of the two.
Lulu was a proud girl, and Mrs. Ger-
man 'sV look of inquiry every time they
now met Was hard, to hear. Matters
reached a climax on the day when
Belle incautiously saldr-t . ,
’ “I have been scolding Clarence about
you, Lulu. I tell him he will rue his
indifference when it is 1015111319.".
. f‘IVndVeeVd!” Lulu’s laugh was rather
forced. “And what did my lord say?"
“Oh, that he was sure of you, or
something of the sort. He is abomin-
ably conceited though he is my
brother.” _
“Are not all men so?”.asked Lulu,
lightly; but her eyes were like sparks.
.~Wh‘en, ateight o'clock next evening
Clarence called to see Miss Brandon,
the maid informed him that she had
just “went out with Mr. Lawrence "
Again the green-eyed demon seized the
tardy wooer, and this time it wonder-
fully quickened his latent love. He
resolved to ask the important question
at once. Early the next morning he
went to the home of his sweetheart,
only to find that she had gone out for
the day. Clarence was seriously dis-
turbed. He felt that something was
wrong. If he could only see Lulu for
a few minutes, matters would be set.
tied to his satisfaction he assured
himself. But, alas! that little word,
“if, " has often proved a. barrier
stronger than prison walls or iron
bands.
tempt to see Miss Brandon alone,unt1l
he was forced to admit that she pur-
posely sought to evade a meeting with
him. This only made him more eager
, and determined to, bring one about, but
mere than two months elapsed before
he succeeded in securing. the long anal~ -
much deélred interview. At last he
mote her a note, requesting somewhat
imperatiyely. to be allowed to see her
privately.
stating that she would receive him that
evemng at eight o 'clock.
Promptly at the time designated
Clarence entered the familiar parlor
and was greeted cordially by Lu, who
yet evaded the accustomed lover-like
caress. .
" ‘Great minds runV VinV Vthe same chan-
nel,’ Clarence. At the moment I re-
ceived your note, IV was writing you an
invitation to 15311.". .
This little speech quickly dissipated
the suspicion which had. arisen in his
mind at his reception, and be resolved
to state the object of his call without
delay . -.
“Dear Lulu, ” he said, taking her
hand in his, “I have come this even-
ing to ask you to name an any. date
for our marriage. I want my wife as
soon as possible
She allow him to retain her. hand,
but the crimson deepened upon the fair
cheeke' as she replied,-'- .. .
"Clarence, I have something to say
which may give you palm... 1211111118 the :
place. " ~
last few years _I have been dimly con-
scious that we are not exactly sVIVilVVVteVd to
each other, although a. month ago I V
should have indignantly refuted such
an implication from any one 9190.!
am now fully convinced that 1f united
we should not be happY. More than
this " here she spoke very softly and
tenderly, “I have been mistaken in the
object of my affection, and I now know
that I have never truly loved any one
but Sidney Lawrence. "
Speechless and pale Clarence's eyes
sought hers beseechlngly. At last. he
realized the magnitude of his lovefifpr
the woman his selfishness had put for- ‘
ever' fromihls life. But he read no
hope in her face, and in silence he 'rose
and left her.
Years have passed since then. Clar-
ence Curtis has never married, and the
gossips say the handsome bachelor
silently werships the wife of Sidney
Lawrence.
"Wildly. you're getting a ,very bad
reputationa You'll lose it entirely it
you keep 011V "
“I with IV could.",——.Detroit Free Pres.
that led to the house.
LFARNIVG A LE sS'ov
_‘V‘I can get along with him, I’ m very
sure " said Joscelind Darkridge. “No-
body could get along with him!” cher-
used the. th‘reemother Miss Darkridgcs
in unison. .
Uncle Black was the personage 01
whom they spoke—a crabbed, ill-tem-
pered, little old man—who lived in a
superb old country seat amt ng the
Catskills.
He had money to leave, but his illic-
es and nephews secretly believed that
it would be a deal easier to go toCal-
ifornia of'Golconda, or some of the
fabulous places and d-igfortu-nes out
nugget by nugget, than to stay at home
'andcarn» them by making themselves
acceptable to an old gentleman who
had as many angles as a rose diamond
and as many prickly spikes of tempo:
as ,a porcupine.
.Naomi Darkridge had tried it first
Naomi was a soft-voiced, slender girl
with a head which reminded one of a
drooping lily.
“No one can help loving Nacmi.’
said Mrs. Darkridge, as she kissed hex
daughter good- -_by.
. But in three weeks Naomi came back
half frightened out of her lets.
. “He scolds so dreadfully,” said Nao-
mi. “And be locked at me as the well
must have looked at Little Red Riding
Hood. Oh, mamma, I couldn’t stay
there, not if I was to be made richer
than Mrs. Burdett-Coutts herself”
Margdalena Darkridge went next,
but Margdalena, although a fine, tall
girl, with a spirit of her own, was cow-
ed by Uncle Black’s savage eyes in less
than a week.
“I’d sooner sweep crossings for a liv-
111g,” said she,‘ “than be Uncle Black’ c
heiress. ”
And so she came home without loss
of time. ,V
Rhoda DarkridgVVe, in no wise abashed
by the euCcessiveI failures of her sisters,
was the third one to try Black Grange
and its possibilities. But she also suc-
611de before the terrible scourge of
Uncle Black’s savage tongue.
:.‘-‘_It-7.S scold, snarl, snarl, scold, from
"morning till nightlf.’ said Rhoda, as in
”three days’ time she tearfully related
her experience to her parents. “Oh,
"you don’t know—nobody can know—
what a. dreadful man Uncle Black is!”
“Oh, hang the old Scamp!” said Mr.
Darkrldge, who was of, a. free-and-easy
nature, and thought his girls a great
deal too sweet and nice to be snarled
at by any rich old miser. “Let him
alone. My daughter’s needn’ t go beg-
ging fer any man’ s money.’
. But here Joscelind, the youngest,
tallest and prettiest of the four girls,
spoke up,—
“I'll go!" said she.
_“You don’t know what you are un-
dertaking,” said Naomi, with a shud-
der.
‘fHe'd wear out a stone, ” said Magda-
‘ lens..-
“He’ s a ghoul!” shuddered Rhoda.
"I can get along with him, I am very
sure, " said Joscelind, brightly. -
And she packed up her little trunk
sViId went _to Black Grange. .
' It was sunset—re. red. flaming sunset
like one of Glflord's picturesewhen
size came up the “traced flight of steps
blushed bloodsred '11: the deep light,
and Joscelind could see how lovely. was
the scenery, how substantial this old
my house. with its square towers. and
semi-circular. colonial porch Uncle
Black 11th on the steps.- _ .
‘.‘So you are JoscollndY’.’ said be, .m'-
veying her with little twinkling eyes,
like) glass beads; _: -., .-.
- I'Yes‘, r a‘fx'n Joecellnd .. said the bright V V
checked girl glvi 411111118. kiss. '
The reply was brief simply as
“You’ re late!" sold Uncle Black.
-:‘,‘I. am late,” , an JVccheVlianV. .51]
thought the old beast of a stage never
would have got here. The horses fair- ;_.
ly crept and the roads were horrid.”
_“-It’ s a dreadful warm day,” growled
Uncle Black. ‘
‘-‘l am almost roasted, " sighed Josue-
Vlind.
“The whole cuminer. has been intol-
erably warm," said the old gentle-
man.
“We might as well be in the tropics
and be done with. it," retarted. Josce-
11nd, flinging off her shawl and fanning
Qherself vehemently
Uncle Black gave her the kVVVeVysV that
night, just as he had three times be-
fore given them to her three Sisters.-
-“I shall. expect you to take charge of
the whole establishment" said he.
"The servants are miserable~" , .,
“VNo. more than one might expect "
I-lnte’rrupted Joscel1nd, with a depreca-
tory motion of the hand“ “Servants
are mere frauds- newadays!"
”And nothing goes right about the
"Nothing ever does!” said Josceiind.
, Uncle Black eyed her queerly. This "
was quite different from the determin-
ed cheerfulness and systematic good
spirits of her. sisters , . . ,._
At- breakfast next morning Uncle
Black began to scold as usual. _
“Fish again!" said be, “This makes
four mornings this week we've had
fish. ” V.
“I detest fish!" ma Joscelind, push-
lng her plate away with a grimace.
“And the rolls heavy again!" growl-
ed Uncle Black, breaking one open.
-“Please give me the plate, Uncle V
Black, ” said Joscellnd, and she rang
the table- bell sharply.
Betty, the cook, astout, good-humor-
Ved lrish woman, made her appear-
ance.
‘ ‘Betty, " said Miss Darkridge “be so
good as to throw these rolls out of the
window."
Betty stared.
“Do you hear what I tell you?" said
Miss Darkridge, with emphasis. ..
And Betty flung the rolls out anions
the rosebushes, where they were speed-
by devoured by Gate. the Newfound ‘
.r
Everything ,
F:
r.
setters. '
-“But what am I to eat for break-
fast?" bewailed Uncle Black.
S‘Crackers, of course,”- said JoscelindV
“Anything is better than imperilling
one’s digestion with such stuff a:
this! And, Betty, if you send up any
more fish in a month you may consider
yourself discharged—do you hear?”
“But, my dear, I am rather fond 01
fish,” put inthe old gentleman.
"One can’t eat fish the whole time,‘
said Joscelind,1mperiousiy. "Here
Betty, this coffee isn’t fit to drink! and
the toast is burned! and you must have
put the cooking butter on the table by
mistake! Let these errors be rectified
at once."
Betty retired with an ominous rustle
of her stifiiy starched apron.
“My dear, " said Uncle Black, appre-
hensively, “Betty is a very old servant,
and—II
“I don’t care if she is the age of Me-
thuselah, " said Jos-celind; “nobody can
be expected to put up with such
wretched cooking as this!"
“I really think she is not so bad
it‘li . '
- “0h, pray don’t apologize for her,
Uncle Black,” said Joscelind. “They
are all shirtless, lazy creatures, who
must be discharged promptly if they
don’t do their duties." V
_ Uncle~ Black began to look frighten-
ed. He had kept Betty, Sylvia and old
John for ten years. Was it possible
that he had scolded at them for ten
years, only to have Joscelind Darkridge
outscold him now?
“I wouldn’t be too short with ’em,
my dear, if I were you," he remon—
strated.
“Then let them do their duty," said
Joscelind, with the air of an empress.
“We are all mortal,” pleaded Uncle
Black.
“I expect every one around me to
live up to their conditions," said Jos-
celind. _
Uncle Black ate the rest of his break-
fast with butIIlittle appetite. Sylvia,
the housemaid, was finishing dusting
his library when he entered it. -
"Not through yet!” growled Uncle
Black, the .fretwork of wrinkles once
more coming into his brow-
“Sylvia," said Miss Darkridge, se-
verely, if this happens again I shall
dispense with your services!
that clock! Is this the time of day to be
dawdling about the rooms with a
broom and duster? Remember Mr.
Black does, not pay. exorbitant wages
to lie in bed until noon!"
“My dear ”- said Uncle BIackV, “Syl-
via is generally a very good girl, if—”
“Dear. uncle, " interrupted Joscelind,
“pray permit me to be the judge of
these matters. You have ruled your
household with a slack and indulgent
hand altogether too long. I shall now
institute a reform. ”
And poor Sylvia had. never moved
about so briskly as she did that day.
Old John, the gardener, was not ex-
empt from his share of the general tur-
moil. Miss Darkridge chanced ‘to hear
her uncle reproaching the old man for
some fancied neglect in the flower, beds,
whose diamonds, ovals and crescents of
brilliant colors were the pride of his
horticultural heart, and she promptly
came to his aid... . ,. . .
" “Gardening, indeed! __Do you all
this gardening” .she. sold. . "Uncle
Black ,I: am astonished that you keep
Vsuch .eV man as that about the place!" '
.AVhd the torrent oftaunts and re.
preaches which she showered upon the
'lucklese head of poor old John was
enough as that indivrdusl observed, “to
make one’sV flesh creep-. ". . .
,“My piece. is _a young lady of spirit
aha... energy, " apologized ..Mr Black.
when- at lwt, Joscel'ind had gone back
to the house.
“Verra like you, sir, verra like you!”
.éaid old John, scratching his head.
.“Like me!" sald Mr. Black, slow-
Fly...
And he 3th full. five minutes, quite
Speechless and motionless, staring at
the mossy rim of an ancient sun- -d1al
half sunk in the velvet grass And at
the end of five minutes he spoke two
other words, and only two,—
“Like—me!”
“There‘s no knowin’ the masther,
he’s that changed, " said Betty. in the
kitchen, _a. week or two. later. “He's
as mild as a lamb and as noticeable as a
kitten. " .
“Sure, isn 't that what the young lady
told us, " said Sylvia, “when she came
down into the kitchen that first morn--
ing after the fire was lighted, and told
us she was shirt, to try an experiment,
we wasn’t to mind a word she sci-,d
cause it was all by contraries? ‘He
don’t know what- his temper has got to
be,’ said she, .‘and I’m going to show
him.’ And, bless her sweet heart, her
plan has worked like a charm.”
It had,1n good {.rthh. Uncle Black
was a changed man. And Joscelind
had relapsed into the original sunshine
of her temper-end all the domestic
wheels of Black Grange- seemed to re-
volve on velvet.
But Uncle Black took all the credit
to,himself. He never knew that Jos-
celind had taught, him a lesson. .
. “We can get along ,very nicely," said
he,_-_“now that my. niece has subdued
those little tempers of hers.” ,
And Joscelind Was his heiress and
believe that it was he "who formed her
character. ”—Csmbri dge Tribune.
I once had money or. d e Mend:
On both I set great. genre;
I lent my money tr my friend
_And took his note therefor.
I asked my money of my friend.
And naught but worth I not;
I lost my money and my friend.
For sue him 1 would not.
If I had money and II ‘rlcnd.
As I had 0900.110! Me.
i ' I'd keep my money and my friend
And play the feel no more.
M“...
darling after all—'for he will always.
and gag. and Rob and nor. the tch THE MATCHMAKI‘R
Major Mackintosh was a very good
tellcw, but he had one little weakness;
he was a most inveterate match-
maker.
Of course, the major prided himself
on his tact and delicacy, and fondly
fancied nobody ever saw through his
transparent little artifices. But though
he took every care to guard against
failure, matters would occasion-ally go
wrong and the most prudently plan-
ned match come to nothing, greatly to
the major’s dismay. V
The major had but one near rel-
ative, in the world—his nephew, Jack
Mackintosh. Jack was in a govern,-
ment office, and as he was not twenty-
three years of age, his uncle began to
think seriously of arranging a match
‘ for him.
The major was very anxious that
VJack’s match should really be .a
triumph, and it cost him much thought
and grave weighing of pros and cans
for months, before the critical time
came: Of course, he did not consult
Jack, in the matter. To do so at so
V early 3. stage in the proceedings would
have been contrary to all precedent.
Despite. the earnest cogitations of
months and all the careful study .of
six specimens of girlhood, the major
suddenly made up his mind that Nel-
lie Bloxham was the one woman I. in
the world for Jack, and this within
five minutes of his first introduction to
her! The girl charmed him, and he
at once decided that she must marry
' Jack.
A letter was dispatched that very
evening, and a few days later the
young fellow joined his uncle at the
watering place where he had been so
fortunate as to‘make Miss B'loxham’s
' acquaintance.
“Well,.Jack,' have you got your,
?-
leave, or is this only a. Saturday to
Monday trip?" was the first question
he asked when they met at the station.
“I can stay a. fortnight, if you’ll have
me I! '
“That's capital. I've a Vlot of friends
here, and some. uncommonly pretty
girls among them. The Fishers came
down last week,; and the Renshaws—”
"Is May Renshaw here? I’m glad of
V that.”
Look at 2
I
May Renshaw. was one of the half-
dczen who had been under considera-
tion, and it is possible that Jack was
aware of the fact; but of their recent
rejection he was totally ignorant.
“May? Yes; I—I believe so.”
The major spoke absently, for he
was thinking how very unfortunate it
‘ would be if Jack really felt any at-
traction 1n that quarter. Not but
what May was a nice girl enough—
till you compared her with Nellie Blair-
ham.
Jack noticed the change of tone, and
drew his own conclusions from it.
“Any new acquaintances, uncle?” he
asked; and there was a twinkle in his
eye as he spoke which it was just as
well the major did not see.
“A few; yes, Jack, a few. Old
' Colonel Marsh and his sisters; pleas-
ant women, though a bit elderly—401-
you, you know; and MI’S. Bloxham and
her daughter; charming girl. the
daughter, though a bit young—for me,
of course.’
“Ah, about the right age for me to
play with, I suppose"" ‘ .
“To play with? No,‘ no, VJsck', you ’re
too old for play _now.__ It’s quite time
you settled; and I’ve been think..-
ing
.“Yes?". an VhVeV. paused
had come for him to speak.
"That Miss Blox‘ham is the very girl
for you.
out for each other.”
“H'm!” said Jack.
“Well, why not?"
“Why not? No reason,
But then againf—why?” . _r .
“Because she's pretty. ._ and good
form, and very good company; . a
thorough lady, and .a..cbarming “’0.-
man! Can’t you trust my judgment in
a. matter of this kind? Shes miles
and away too- good fer you, you young
dog, if that’s what you mean!” he
broke out angrily. .
_“That’s exactly what I do mean. If
she‘ a all the admirable. things you say
she is, I fail to see how we can be cut
out for each other; and shall feel
bound in common fairness to let some
better fellow. cut me; out. I’m not half
good enough for her—if she’s all you
say she is.’ .
“If that's all, come and have a look
at her,” he said, “and then you can
judge for yourself. She is sure to be
perhaps.
on the parade; they all are at this
'hour."
He “had a look” at Miss Bloxham,
and he was introduced to her.
talked together, the major beaming
approval the while. He was intro-
duced to her mother, a harmless, gar-
rulous old lady, who always talked
whether there was anybody to listen
or not, and always about nothing in
particular '
When the Bioxhams left the parade
an hour or so later, the major and
Jack walked with them as far as their
own door, and Jack walked with Miss
Bloxham.
“Well," said the major, as they turn-
ed aw.ay
O‘Eh?l9
Jack was evidently not attending. A. ..
slight. pale-faced little girl was pass.
ing at the moment, and bowed to him
with a shy smile. . , ‘ .
“Who’s that?" Major Mackintosh
asked abruptlt It.etruck himthat
Jack was look as ridiculously pleased
about something or other.
“The sister of a man in my cflice.
I’ve been down to his place once or
"109 lately. as -- ‘ . ' .. '.-'.-: . .—
“0!" The major dimmed 'ch'euVIVI‘IV-b-
impressively, .
for the major felt that at last the time ,
In fact, that you re just cut
The? ~
r " —’ ..._.
i.
ject. “Well. what do you think of
her?” -
“Of—her?"
"0h, Miss Bloxham!
all right. ”
“All right? I should think she is all
right.
it coolly. ”
“Why, what would you have? She
has talked to me about a lot of things
for an hour or so; but I really know
nothing about her, except that she is
good-looking, and too good form to
say that she is bored, whatever she
may feel." , ..
“Boredl- Why should she be bored?
Didn’t you talk to her?” V
“Yes, and she’d much rather I
hadn’t. I wasn ’t the right man, uncle
that’ s all. "
“Then, by Jove, I should like to
know who is!” the major said testily.
Jack laughed, but he did not pursue
the subject further. After all, it was
no affair of his; and if his uncle liked
to play a. little game of cross purposes,
he had no wish to interfere with him.
The next week passed away pleas-
antly enough. The major, taught'hy
experience, knew just the kind of little
expedition that was best qualified to
throw young people together—and he
was constantly arranging some nice
little pleasure party or another. 0!
course, none of these were complete
without the Bloxhams, and a quiet,
shy girl. a great friend of Nellie's in
whom—somewhat to his surprise—the
major recognized Jack’s . little ac-
quaintance. Millie Lee went every-
where with her friend; and as she was
always sweet-tempered and happy, the
major presently grew quite fond of her
in a. fatherly sort of Way, and looked
forward to arranging a suitable mar—
riage for her as soon as Jack should
be off his mind.
The major observed with approval
Yes, she seems
thought it an excellent sign that he
should wish to please Miss Bloxham
by little attentions to her friend. On
the whole, he was satisfied with the
way things were going—or so he told
himself. .
Of course Jack was in love intVVh' Miss
Bloxham; how could be fail to be,
knowing her so well as he now did?
Why, even he, the major, was. more
than half in love with her himself,
as he owned, with a sigh, to his cigar;
and he was old enough to know the
folly of it; how, then, should a young
fellow like Jack escape?
The major called himself an old fool
for .his pains, and refused to think of
what, perhaps, might have happened
had he only been a dozen or fifteen
years younger; but for him—a. man
of fifty—011,110; it was out of the
question!
And so the first week of Jack's visit
came to an end.
not come to an end; on the contrary,
Major Mackintosh radon-bled his ex.
ertione, for he was growing extra—
ordinarily anxicus to have the affair
settled; and the more he saw of Nel-
lie, the more he was convinced that
Jack would be the luckiest fellow in
the world if he won her. {-
And he must win her. The major
felt that his reputetlcn. was at stake,
for he had never labored to make any
match,” he. had labeled for this.
“Jack have .you thought even what
I said to you?” he}. naked abruptly one
day, ”(they were walking back to
theimhoteh _ ,' :.‘-.
”.Wh‘at ehcut-2 You vVe said i good
deal at dinereVnt tithes; " v “ . "’
“Oh, about settling”, you know'”
”To be sure I have! There's a lot
in it. In fact, I think I shall act on
it.”
_“_‘!’ou’ re thinking seriously of set-
11111:. my beyf”. . -
"Most. seriously, to tell the. truth!"
And there was a. twinkle in Jack's eye
as he spoke. “I was just going to tell
yen, that I’ve already asked—some one
to settle me, and she's promised to do
it I!
"I congratulate you. with all my
heart, my boy!”- he: said huskily. _
.“Thank 1011.. .She is a. dear little
girl, and. thinks no end of you. She
has no father, you see, and so—-"
‘ "Yes, yes, I quite understand!". The
major felt that this was a. little too
much. “I think she must know how
1% set my heart on it, " he added.
“Not a bitof it! She feared you had
quite other views for me. Indeed it
was all Miss Bloxham and I could do
we persuade. her—”
"Her? Wham?”
“Why, Millie, of course. She felts
you’ll play the cruel uncle, and object
to my marrying her.”
“Millie! Marrying Millie.
f‘Yes. Surely you must
seen—4’ .
"‘And what does Miss Bloxham say
to thief".
'09
' , “.Oh,‘ she's delightful. We’re _ all
such friends. You know.” .
.."Fr1ende! Marry Millie! And but
for that little maplet you might have
‘married Miss Bloxham—”
"Not a. bit of it. You are mistaken
there. Even had _I ever wished it, she
wouldn’ t have had. me.’
"Who told you so?"
. “Nobody; but I’m not quite a. feel,
any more than you are quite a. bum
'dred. Because—uncle, Millie is not
the moi-plot, but—quite another per-
soul.” significantly, . ,.
“By Jove!” exclaimed the major.
He was silent for some moments.
When next he spoke it was In a very
different tone,—
"Do you think I've any chance.
Jack?"
Jack laughed not unkindly. -_
:“Go.and-."eee, hoeaidr I
. So,- after all; he; mods an excellent
«metal: for lulu, meshes: _._Mrs.
"‘ V'I
“Yes; isn't she all I said and more?“
’Pon my word, Jack, you take
that Jack, too, was kind toher; for he '
The little ex seditious, however, did»
have '
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Norwalk Chronicler