The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1869-03-26

4 think so, If you are not afraid TO stay
alone.
No, indeed was the quick answer, de-.
livered with unnecessary carncstncss. DO
not think Of staying on my account
Very WELL
The Instant Jane was out of sight, Mol
lie, after looking suspiciously at the front
of the house, that looked back meekly ut
her with It's closed blinds and vacant door
way. and after peering down into the re-
cesses of the garden on her right, called
In suppressed tones to tiny Irish child
on the opposite sidewalk. ....
'NIickv
sYis'm.'
Going Going past Mr.. Brent's s'OreT
Give this note to Mr.. Hall-remember,
to Mr.. Hall. Ifyou'll be back in ten min
utes, and won't tell anybody, will give
you the biggest piece of cake! VIII your
'Yis'm and the small urchin was of In
an instant. Mollie listened to the patter
of his bare feet with very satisfied smile,
then went on trimming the rose bushes
demurely.
Mick, having returned In precisely sew
en- minues, was duly rewarded with an I'M
mense bar Of cake. duly cautioned never,
never to tell, and dismissed, well content.
Then Mollie opened the letter; for, OF
course, like all communications written by
females, her note had required an answer.
II ran thus:
DsAnksr MoLuE .-I will be with you tonight at pro
e-eiy half past I'm ineinei to bless both the
dragon and my stars. Ton.
At three o'clock that afternoon Miss
Polly went into the parlor where her
nieccs were sitting demureiy cutting. bits
Of bright silk for patchwork. She wore n
lace cap tied with yellow ribbons, and a
green silk dress. Let the reader not be
shocked, for Miss Polly was fond Of bright
colors, and went to tea parties but sell
dom.)
BE good children she said, patroniZ-
ingly, regarding herself In the glass with
great cOmplacency. Don't sit up for me.
I shall take key. and we can let our
selves In. Does my dress look well, Janeg'
Very well, aunt
What flowers shall get for q boquetS
London pride Is pretty. and sweet williams /;
don't you think SOP
Il think smaller flowers would be better.
I'll 90 and cut you some said Jane, duti-
fully.
NO. sit still. hear Mr.. wilkins on the
stairs, Ill pick some myself as 90 out.
You migi,: have heard Mr.. wilkins at
the other end Of the town, such amazingly
stiff boots had he seen tit TO assume on
this occasion. 1t was quite n wonderful
thing to watch him as he stood In the lit
tie path, awkwardly holding the boquet OF
clover, pink and yellow coreopsis that
Miss Polly had given him, remarking ev-
cry other minute: 'rhe-hum-thc flow-
ers werc-hum-exccssivc pretty and
finally Offering his arm laboriously.
The two girls regarded this scene from
the window and turned away without cOnl-
ment, only there was a good deal of won
der In James eyes and n good deal of fun
In Mollle's. They sewcd industriously the
rest of the afternoon, scarcely once speak
ing to each other until the clock struck
five, and Jane went ont to prepare supper.
what a beautiful sunset" said Mollie,
rs she rose from the table. How long
does the meeting last, Jane?
Until half past eight; but may not be
back then, for I'm going to carry old Mrs.
Dobbs some medicine. Don't sit up for
me. You can leave the back door open,
or will take the other key of the front
one. shall be back before auntie,' guilt
lily. seeing Mollic's surprised face.
You had better take the key. think
I'll 20 to bed early. Don't come into my
room and disturb me, Jane. never sleep
well II am waked.'
As Mollie put the last dish comfortably
away in the closet she heard the clock
strike seven, and saw Jane passing out the
gate, basket In hand. MOllie felt very
guilty. How good Jane was, and what
difference between them! Jane was going
TO do good, and attend n prayer meeting,
and she was going to disobey her aunt,
stay at home and see Tom! But. some
how, Mollie thought the prospect was
pleasant.
At half past seven she was stationed by
the gate. She had little time for anticipa-
ton, for somebody came up the street ut a
very quick pace, somebody sprang thro'
the gate or over L., and greeted Mollle
with the freedom of an old acquaintance.
II was q merry-faced young gentleman,
with blue eyes and brown curls.
MY respects to the dragon said the new
conner, bowling to the housS with great
Difference.
MY respects to wilkins and your unfor-
tunatc sister. How have become blessed
with the opportunity of seeing You?
'Auntie and Mr.. wilkins are at tea par
ty, and James gone to u prayer meeting.
Hurry, Tom. Come down In the garden,
or somcbOdy'll be sure to see you. I've
locked up the house. You can stay till
just half past eight
One hour. Momently expecting that
the dragon will fall uponmc. ldon'tcare
II she does.
stop calling her dragon. Tom; and
don't talk so ii you have any pity for me.
Quite tragic! Excuse me for saying SO,
Mollie; but how ridiculous all this Is!
Here we have been engaged year, and
you frown II bow to you on the street I;
you scarcely let me show my head near
this house, and you won't hear of my
speaking to your aunt. II walk past
here, discover Miss Polly glaring out at
the parlor window, or wilkins squirting
from the front door. IL look at you
twice in church, I'm the object of Miss
Polly's furious attention. Now. l say It's
ridiculous. I'm not Gorgon-Tm re-
spectacle young man, mt least i always
thought SO. Can't you 80 and tell your
aunt that you want 10 get married, If you
don't think am competent TO arrange
matters 2
You know would IL l dared, Tom I;
L 10 Try, SOMETHING'S, Dut can't, rcaiiy,
can't
What's to prcycntg VIII she put an
end To- your existence, or shut you up on
bread and wRtcry'
shed disown me, Tom. She'd cast me
ofrwlth u shilling. and never hear my name
spoken again
is that all: I'll own you, and give you
twenty shillings for every one she won't
IL.
on you. Come, that's an offer
will not give the conversation In de
tail. Suffice it to say that Il was nearly
nine o'clock when Mr.. Hall, having eN-
hausted all his arguments without effect,
finall became Indignant, and determined
to depart. He was making one final ap-
peal TO Mollie, who, still unconvinced, and
still lacking In courage, sat sobbing on the
bench before him. when they both heard
the gate closed softly, aud saw, dimly two
figures turning toward the garden.