The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1873-12-18

day, and II don't seem she should
be away from us on her birth
day. She's been three months in
the city now, wife"
"Yes," said Mrs. Farley, nod
ding her head sagely, ''and l
don't believe she'll como home
alone eithel!"
"Eh!' the farmer opened wide
h's ey es, "you don't s'posc sho's
ingaged to that Mr.. Clinton!"
"You men are 50 slow to put
two and two together" said Mrs.
Farley, with smile. 1--WE
suspicioned it this long while,and
Mrs. Carter writes that half the
young ladies in Boston arc envy
ing our little country girl. On
ly think, won't it be nice to have
our Alice a ,ich lady, living in a
nice b'g house in Boston?"
Mr.. Farley stared steadiastly
at tho fire.
"Who is lie any wayl he asked
in a troubled voice. "Shc's all the
child we've got, wife. We cant
give her to man without know
ing who and what he is"
"You needn't worry" said his
wife, with the superior caluness
Of ono who is posted. "fte's as
steady going as you be yourself,
At least 50 Mrs. Carter writes, and
he's an inventor, whatever that
may be. Any way, he made a
great fortune out Of a patent hc
as sod 10 the Government. AL.
ice won't have to work all her
days as | have done, and that's
one comfort "
Aud when Alice's shy, letter,
which implied far more than it
told, intimated that was coming
home under Mr.. Cinton's escort,
the old farm house was duly
swept and garnishcd for the re-
cep,ion of the honored guest.
Mrs. Farley put on her black silk,
and the farmer donned lis butter.
nut suit, which seemed to him as
gorgeous as it had been on the
day he had bought it, twenty
years ago.
"Wonder which train they will
come on" SAID Mrs. Farley, re-
flcc,ivoly. 81 should hate the
worst way to have that turkey
si'Olle0.
Bat such a catastrophe was hap.
PLY avcrted, for the travellers ar
rived as the stormy twilight made
the glow Of the great wood fire
donbly grateful. There were
the crunch of.whcels in the deep
snow without, tho opening Of the
door, and then Alice was in her
mothers arms.
In the back ground tall figure
stood stately and dignificd and self
contained, with get black hair
aud grave violent gray eyes, and
the farmer made his best bow.
Alice then introduced "Mr. Clin-
ton with a deep rcd flush upon her
check.
"iou must like him very much
father, for my sake" said she, ,"be.
cause l have promised to be his
wife,"
When tho hosIitable ireal was
over and Mr.. Farley came In from
the kitchen, pulling down the
sleeves that been rolled up above
her elbows and tying on a clean
checked apron, Alice sprang to
her feet,
"Mothcr!'' SHE said, with her
face oil smiles and dimples, "Mr.
Clinton has brought you a pres
ent."
"Prcsenll' cried Mrs. Farley.
"Father must get hammer and
screw-driver aud open very
carefully, for it's china"
"Chinaf'
les, Tedt CHINA, imported
from Canton, so transparent you
can look through il in the colors
of life. Oh, it is so beautiful"
She stood by, and gleefully
clapped her hands as tho treasures
were unpackcd, and enjoying her
mothers delight as the beautiful
fragile things one by one made
their appearance from countless
wrapping OF silver paper.
Z" How kind it is Of you, Mr..
Clinton" said Mrs Farley, look
ing up with bea'ning eyes, 81 al :
ways did set store by china"
mot kind at ALL" said the
young man quietly, ''it is sim-
ply the settlement OF a very old
debt"
"Deb'l" repeated the farmers's