Aunt Jane's Nieces at Millville

rebellion so annoyed Uncle John that he declared he would wal

t first sight seemed deserted. A knock on th

away from home,"

back," said Uncle John. "Let

roar broke the stillness. It was succeeded by another, and another, like the bellowing of

Will! Stop,

panied the words, and a moan or tw

looked at one anothe

old gentleman, mopping his

n a new sound halted them again. It was a clear, fresh young v

," exclaimed Louise, gr

shall we do?

et now," she whispered. "Let

She wore her gingham dress and a sunbonnet, and, kneeling in the path, stretched out her slim brown arm to uproot the weeds

pleasant and gracious way, and the school teacher le

garden more cheerful than the house. Grandfather's il

ank reference, and Uncle John c

he said, doubtful whether he should say

suppose they have told you that grandfather is a madman

se?" hazarded Uncle John, rem

no harm to anyone. But often his outbreaks are unpleasant to listen to," continued the

s way-for long?"

ratic and unbalanced

"but he first became vio

years ago. Grandfath

o be with him at the ti

k drove

fore that time?" ask

. The doctor says that a blood vessel which burst

wkward when Uncle John said, with an

fine old

ocated his cabin where the mill now stands. 'Little Bill Thompson,' he was called, for he was a small, wiry man-very different from grandfather, who in his prime was a powerful man of over six feet. Little Bill Hi

nthusiastically. "And do you teach in the

dreaming I would ever teach there. Now the cou

have you

r is disabled. He has a small income remaining, howe

ouse ready for us," said Louise. "We might have fou

vacation, it was a real pleasure to me to have something to do. But

Louise. "You must have found it a tedious ta

d seem to understand my wishes; and Peggy McNutt brought me

ks and his wife lon

sir. They came here man

gg

always smiled?"

hurt or excited by anything, so there is no reason he should not smile. At the time of Captain Wegg's death and poor grandfathe

rew a lo

e said, "and is assumed to con

be capable of; but that it is assumed I do not believe. Thomas is a simple-minded, honest-hearted old fellow, and to face the wor

long has she

ul how perfectly she finds her way without the aid of sight. Cap

eep house for him,

t rememb

she was mo

her eyes and

're mighty curious about the family, because we've acquired their old ho

ghbors as a rule thought him moody and bad-tempered." After a pause she added: "He was not as kind to his son as to

unhappy?" asked

d into her

em, they say. The Captain was

s alive in Louise. She ha

ain Wegg?" she d

le preceded

come; let me show you my garden. There are

at lent countenance to the suspicions already aroused; but perhaps this simple c

m, and Uncle John, who was pleased with the modesty and frankness of t

ng home, and the thoug

uired, "where I could

ul a moment; then glance

y one off me

ear, if you've a

use for him now, for I always ride or drive my pony. And grandmother says he's eating his head off

appearances were to be trusted, and Ethel assured Mr.

Uncle John, pointing to a neat ve

dmother would like to s

red Mr. Merrick. "How much for Jo

ask what gran

ting a figure that made Uncle John li

e seems sound as a dollar, and he's just in his prime. A hundred and fifty is dirt cheap for him, and the surrey will be worth at l

d not get more than a hundred doll

f what a thing is actually worth. But I'll be honest with you. The price I offer is a good deal less than I'd have to pay in t

e hundred dollar

Let me talk with

not see an

sharply, scenti

dear?" she aske

ather, and helps Aunt L

y. "I'd hoped to be able to drive this fine fellow back, b

l sm

price, Mr. Merri

" he said, pausing. "I'

d and well call

nnot do t

of fixing up the house," he rejoined, pl

l?" won

d McNutt for y

d not accept anything for a bi

cNutt got i

Merrick. I told Peggy I

ng to quarrel, little neighbor.

ike. I'll

to the surrey. The girl knew better than the man how to buckle the strap

n, whom he led, rickety buggy a

as well knock him in the head," he said as he unharn

r the day, Miss Thompson?" asked Louise,

uch a delightful e

ow he wadded up some bills and thrust th

he called. "Good morn

rsd

and turned into the highway, Ethel unr

egan, but paused abruptly

iven her exactly o