Orleans gentlemen would come to S---- for their wives.

CHAPTER X.

A SURPRISE.

"Reuben," said Grandma Dayton to her son one evening after she had
listened to the reading of a political article for which she did not
care one fig, "Reuben, does thee suppose Dr. Benton makes a charge
every time he calls?"

"I don't know," said Mr. Dayton; "what made you ask that question?"

"Because," answered grandma--and her knitting needles rattled loud
enough to be heard in the next room--"because, I think he calls mighty
often, considering that Lizzie neither gets better nor worse; and I
think, too, that he and Berintha have a good many private talks!"

The paper dropped from Mr. Dayton's hand, and "What can you mean?"
dropped from his lips.

"Why," resumed grandma, "every time he comes he manages to see
Berintha alone; and hain't thee noticed that she has colored her hair
lately, and left off caps?"

"Yes; and she looks fifteen years younger for it; but what of that?"

Grandma, whose remarks had all been preparatory to the mighty secret
she was about to divulge, coughed, and then informed her son that
Berintha was going to be married, and wished to have the wedding
there.

"Berintha and the doctor! Good!" exclaimed Mr. Dayton. "To be sure,
I'll give her a wedding, and a wedding dress, too."

Here grandma left the room, and after reporting her success to
Berintha, she sought her granddaughters, and communicated to them the
expected event. When Lucy learned of her cousin's intended marriage
she was nearly as much surprised and provoked as she had been when
first she heard of Ada's.

Turning to Lizzie she said, "It's too bad! for of course we shall have
to give up all hopes of the doctor's money."

"And perhaps thee'll be the only old maid in the family, after all,"
suggested grandma, who knew Lucy's weak point, and sometimes loved to
touch it.

"And if I am," retorted Lucy angrily, "I hope I shall have sense
enough to mind my own business, and not interfere with that of my
grandchildren!"

Grandma made no answer, but secretly she felt some conscientious
scruples with regard to Lucy's grandchildren! As for Berintha she
seemed entirely changed, and flitted about the house in a manner which
caused Lucy to call her "an old fool, trying to ape sixteen." With a
change of feelings her personal appearance also changed, and when she
one day returned from the dentist's with an entire set of new teeth,
and came down