The Andrew County Republican. [volume] (Savannah, Mo.) 1871-1876, 1872-12-27

aer different spiccs; but the sound Of g
deep voice in the sittingroom upset al
her coinposure. The box Of ginge
dropped into the pan OF undivided
pumpkin /; the cinnamon followed suit
and, all in treinor of embarrassment
the self-constituted kitchen maid soueh
in desperation for some way Of escape
At that moment she would have gone
straight back o.New York city without
changing her dress; but it could not bs
| doni, She eoiild hot get out to the
| highway without being eeen from the
adjoining apartment; nor could she gel
| upstairs without passing through it
| She was literally coinered.
Yes" came from the Hext room in
that familiar voice; "Fm here, Aun,
Nancy, and you ought 10 feel consider.
ably flattered, for, tell you, was sorely
tempted to remain in the city"
Humr' said Uncle Hiram, reflect
iveiy. " | hope ytu amt got no sweet.
heart"
The other laughed hearty, mag
netic laugh it was.
"Why, Uncle Hiram, when was here
before, you wouldn't be satisfied because
l hadn't such possession. You talked
matri:tiony from morning till night.
What has changed your"
"Oh J. said the old man, lowering his
voice to an appalling whisper, plainly
perceptible to the blushing listener,
Pm of the same mind now; but don't
want you TO take up with anybody, and
we've got just the incest little woman
here visiting"
"Oh T. interrupted the other. $50
you propose turning matchmaker; but
it's no use, Uncle Hiram. l haven't
exactly sweetheart but | know a
young lady whom should very much
like to see in that role, and if | can't
get her, won't have any body.''
"Who can she be?" wondered poor,
haif-conscious Maud, while the old arm.
er sighed his disappointment, and then
asked, with some interest: SIS she a
sity girl p
"Un, yes" returned the other. "But
don't let that prejudice you against her,
Uncle Hiram. She's not bit vain or
affected, and want you to be real good
friends if-pshaw I'm talking at ran.
dom. Ny partner, ohm Marvin-ycu've
seen him, uncle-is following her up at
a great rate, and if he don't marry her,
it will be the first time he ever tried for
anything and didn't succeed 20, you
see, there's no great cause fer worry |"
and with half smile, half sigh, the
han%some fellow walked to the window,
and looked out.
"Ler' bless mer' said Aunt Nancy,
something's burning. l bet Maud
there has forgotten them pies l left in
the oven and open flew the door be-
tween the two rooms, and, all Of furry,
the old woman approached the corner
where poor, happy, embarrassed Maud
had shrunk away out OF sight.
"Why. what's the matter, child n
With a curious look at the scarlet, quiv.
ering face. "Come into the sitting
room, an be introduced TO my nephew"
Then, as the young girl hesitated !" Lor'
child, you needn't care for what you've
got on. You look enuff sight prettier
than when you're finitied ups" but as
she still held aloof, the old lady hit on
another tack. Hugh! Hugh ~ she
called; "come out here" And Hugh
came. al want to make you acquainted
with" and here she stopped in
amazement; for, without waiting fur
ther words, Hugh had approached her
visitor, and taken both hands, with
"Maud Avery, what are you doing
hers?'
Cooking" was the quiet reply, for
the young lady's composure had some
what returned.
81 should think sol with very
comical look a. the burnt pies Aunt
Nancy, with many a groan, was remov-
ing from the oven. "But what in the
world brought you down here?''
He was still holding her hands, while
the old pair looked on delighted. She
pulled them away, and said, in consi Ter
able confusion:
81 didn't know you we're the
nephew"
He gave her one bright, flashing look,
and then turned away; but in that
glance both felt themselves understood.
Later in the afternoon, with the cook
ing done, and everything in readiness
for the morrow, as Maud stood by the
window, thinking on the strange fate
which should have brought them to-
gether down there, he approached.
"Maud, felt terribly at having to
decline your mothers invitation; but /
should have felt worse if had accepted,
and you been absent. But how came
Mrs. Avery to consent to your absence
at such a timer
This was q delicate subject for poor
Maud, and she stammered very cor
fedly, as she replied:
Well-you know-well-, didn't
want to see the tiresome pokes, and |
told mamma I'd snub them all if she
made me stay"
pheasant prospect for meif I'd gone.
Very complimentary, as it is" said he,
gr4vely, although if she had looked up,
she would have seen light in his eyes
which contradicted the soberness OF his
speech.
"Ohl but" she began, anxious to
exonerate herself "you know you were
not to be there"
"Ahl" with perfect seriousness. $50
you didn't decide on this visit until the
reception Of my regrets that it ~
Maud felt herself entrapped, and the
rosebud mouth quivered tuspiciously,
az, drawing her close to his heart, he
whispered:
"Little girl, you are caught that
was what I've been trying all day to
discover"