The weekly union record., 1864-11-19

she agreed at once. and be found himself. to
use his own expression, in for il. To add TO
his chagrin, Anson s;oed by, laughing with
intense enjoyment.
But the girl. without further ado, proceeded
to disencumber herself of bonnet and shawl
ard vanished in the direction OF the kitchen
before anything could be said. As she shut
the door. she stole a glance st AnSon that
made him start and bite bis lips, and presently
he stole kItcbenward himself. She was already
at work. handling the broom like an adept, and
, grUmbiing in her rich b7ogue at The dust that
had accumulated in the corners for the extent
OF AnSOn's and his fathers sweeping had been
10 brush the center OF the room somewhat 10
the disadvantage of the rest.
She did not look up as Arson entered; but
he deliberately and furtiveiy watched her. For
some time she seemed unconscious of his scru
tiny but presently she turned. and. clasping
both little hands upon the top OF the broom
handle. said, with mixture of bravado aud
arehneSs too natural to oS mistaken:
well, AnSou, what do you think p
The young man laughed and looked annoyed
at the sane moment.
Then it is you. Barbie?@ he said Il was
suspecting something of the sort"
Not till looked at you" said the girl
roguisbly. rctreatiug as he approached.
Do you think this is quite the thing,
Barbie?'
"Share, an why ain't it the thing for q poor
girl 10 be ge,tiu' her lIvin' decently and hon
estly?"
And that was all be could get out of her
Having acknowledged her identity with Barbe
for an instant, she was the most unapproachahle
"Biddy" the next, and would have nothing to
say to him save in that character.
Does your father know of this, Barbie =?
What would he say ?" asked Arson. anxiou>ly
"Shure, ans not me own fader would be
interterin' wild NE, would he p
In vain were all remonstrauces with the
roeuish and wiliful girl. She persisted in being
Biddv even to him, aud maintained distance
between them very different from that between
him and Basbie in her own proper self, An
noyed, provoked, ehagriaed, almost angry, the
advent of his father forced him to retire from
the kitchen, for fear OF be,raying Barbies secret
which he would not have done for great deal.
1t was several hours before be could return
to the house, bis father having joined him, aud
upon one pretext aud another detained him.
When at last they entered together, kitchen
and sitting room, both Of witch had been in
most untldy state when they left them. had
undergone such a remarkable renovating pro
cess that old Joel drew back at first, thinking
be had set foot in somebody else's house instead
Of his own. Supper was smoking on the table
such a supper as old Joel, al least, had not
seen for months To crown all, Mrs. Shel,en-
barger was sitting propped with pillows in
great easy chair, and looking wondrons!v con
tented. and with reason-the poor old lady had
not bad womans hand about her since her
illness. They lived in such an insulated. lnhoS-
pilable manner that very few OF their neighborS
even knew that Mrs. Shellenbarger was not as
well as usual. Bddy, as she called herself, had
tided the poor lady up in a wonderful manner.
Joel Shellenbarger sat down to the daintily
spread table and made most hearty and keenly
relished meal, gancing askance at Biddy
meanwhile. Auson, strange to say, ate very
lit;le, aud be watched Bid3y askance too.
This was ouly the beginning of reforms this
daring girl instituted. First. however as much
perhaps for her own peace Of mind as Anson's
knowing that mother aud sen were fast friends
aad always of one opjnIon-she told her secret
to Mrs. SheiieubargeT, and fairly wheedled the
good cid lady into approval. 1t is true that
she shook her head al first, and looked won
dtouslv shocked. Bnt it was so charming to
have those little, soft hands futtering about
her, and TO see such brightness and comfort
spring up around, that she coud not for her
own sake help countenanciDg. as much as
silence could, Blddy's mysterious presence.
| haven't time to tell you all particulars but
having made so good beginning, with true
Ifi,h facility, Bidly established herself in
very short time completely in the good graces
Of the cid man lie had a lurking liking Tor
neatness and order, and Mrs. Sheenbarger-
poor lady wasn't very neat housekeeper.
Under the new reign, order grew out OF chaos;
the house seemed in holiday garb all the time,
and on atmosphere Of social cheerfuGess
pervaded everything.
One morning Bddy had said something
about leaving the day before-the old man
/ ended q grumbllng complaint to Arson with,
Il never see no good come of eddication yet.
If it hadn't been for that college business, you
might have taken q liking to q sensible girl,
and she to you" He glanced at Biddy as he
spoke. She turned scarlet and came near
dropping the dish she was holding. 1t was
not the first time Arson had heard such insiu-
uations and be rather enjoyed them.
See here, father be said roguishly, "jrst
you pick me ont q wife, and see what will
come OF it."
The ouly girl l know Of worth having,
Blddy?' Joel said, grumbng, but suddenly
turning to the girl.
Auson was smiling maliciously. Bridget
OFlynn had kept Barbie's lover at a most
tantalizing and unrelentiug distance all this
time He was taking bis revenge now. Making
desperate effort, Biddy rallied her confused
senses to say, with considerable self possession:
"Shure, sir, an it isn't meself that1 be after
hevin' any nan till I'm asked -
"Bddy, will you marry me?" said Anson,
gravely, extending his hand.
4 will that now" said Biddy, promptly,
putting her hand IN bis, while old Joel came
near choking with amazement. 1t was toe
late TO recede, however. whether he had really
wished such a thing or not, as they soon made
him understand. He went out Of doors pres
emily, and piuched himself to be certain if be
were in his senses or not. Seeing the two
standing By the window in close conversation
soon after. be crept with the same laadable
intention toward them, under cover of the
bushes that grew by the house.
ssNov Ps-bia = ns9n was saving laurh-