Bad Hugh

By this time Mrs. Worthington was able to talk of a matter which had

apparently so delighted 'Lina. Her first remark, however, was not very

pleasant to the young lady: "I would willingly give Alice a home, but it's not for me to say. Hugh

alone can decide it."

"You know he'll refuse," was 'Lina'a angry reply. "He hates young

ladies. So you may as well save your postage to New Orleans, and write

at once to Miss Johnson that she cannot come on account of a boorish

clown."

"'Lina," feebly interposed Mrs. Worthington, "'Lina, we must write to

Hugh."

"Mother, you shall not," and 'Lina spoke determinedly. "I'll send an

answer to this letter myself, this very day. I will not suffer the

chance to be thrown away. Hugh may swear a little at first, but he'll

get over it."

"Hugh never swears," and Mrs. Worthington spoke up at once.

"He don't hey? Maybe you've forgotten when he came home from Frankfort,

that time he heard about my dress!"

"I know he swore then; but he never has since, I'm sure, and I think he

is better, gentler, more refined than he used to be, since--since--Adah

came."

A contemptuous "Pshaw!" came from 'Lina's lips. "Say," she continued,

"wouldn't you rather Adah were your child than me? Then you'd be granny,

you know." And a laugh came from 'Lina's lips.

Mrs. Worthington did not reply; and 'Lina proceeded to speak of Alice

Johnson, asking for her family. Were they aristocratic? Were they the

F.F.V.'s of Boston? and so forth.

"Now let us talk a little about the thousand dollars. What shall I do

with it?" 'Lina said, for already the money was beginning to burn in her

hands.

"Redeem Rocket with half of it," Mrs. Worthington said, "and that will

reconcile Hugh to Alice Johnson."

"Do you think I've taken leave of my senses?" 'Lina asked, with

unaffected surprise. "Buy Rocket for five hundred dollars! Indeed, I

shall do no such thing. If Hugh had not sworn so awfully, I might; but I

remember what he said too well to part with half of my inheritance for

him. I'm going to Saratoga, and you are going, too. We'll have heaps of

dresses, and--oh, mother, won't it be grand! We'll take Lu for a waiting

maid. That will be sure to make a sensation at the North. I can imagine

just how old Deacon Tripp of Elwood, would open his eyes when he heard

'Mrs. Square Worthington and darter' had come back with a 'nigger.' It

would furnish him with material for half a dozen monthly concerts, and

I'm not sure but he'd try to run her off, if he had a chance. But Lu

likes Hugh too well ever to be coaxed away; so we're safe on that

score. 'Mrs. Worthington, daughter, and colored servant, Spring Bank,

Kentucky.' I can almost see that on the clerk's books at the United

States. Then I can manage to let it be known that I'm an heiress, as I

am. We needn't tell that it's only a thousand dollars, most of which I

have on my back, and maybe I'll come home Adaline somebody else. There

are always splendid matches at Saratoga. We'll go North the middle of

July, just three weeks from now."