The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1874-12-10


husbands, I'm quite sure I couldn't love
them all put together half so well as I do
you
'sAha Well wait and see!' said ia
net, with an arch nod.
So Josephine accompanied Aunt Chel-
ford to Saratoga, her modest trunk
packed with the best show their modest
wardrobe could make, and Janet stayed
at home, in the ch1mney-corner like
Cinderella.
A week had scarcely gone by before
the unexpected event of a visitor took
place-and Lois came in to announce.
esquire Liddell, from the big house,
come down to see your pa bout that
corner lot -
sPapa is able to see no one," Janet
mildly answered.
''That's what I told him. but he
wouldn't take no for an answer
''Then must go myself Janet said,
after a brief hesitation-and just as she
was, in bingham dress and plain bib
apron. she went into the best room.
Squire Liddell, a stalwart, handsome
man of about thirty, stood leaning
against the window as she entered.
ssPardan me, Miss Janet-but I ex-
pected to see your father" he said.
"Papa sees no one, Mr.. Lidden.
I transact all his business for him
| now
"Quite a responsibility, I should
say"
ssI am used to responsibilities she
answered.
"Wen, I simply called to offer him a
hundred dollars for that corner lot which
adioins my pasture fields. It Int worth
that, but I've fancy to join it to my
land, and"
'sMr. Liddell, :" said Janet, softly, but
with meaning sparkle in her dark, gilt
tering eyes, ''hush -
He stared at her.
| Are you crazy, Miss Janet z!
ssNo, but think you must be. You
are rich man-nny papa is poor. Did
you ever hear the story Of Naboth the
Jezreelite, and his vineyard The cor
ner lot is worth twice the sum you offer.
For two hundred dollars I viii sell it
not cent less
Mr.. Liddel was nonplussed. No one
had eyer before dared to speak to him
as this black-eyed girl was speaking.
He hesitated a minute.
''NIiss Janet
81 have stated my terms. Accept CT
reject them as you please" said the girl
with dignity.
eff [ could see your father
s'You cannot
cor your lawyer"
GIVE are too poor to employ lawyers,
Janet retorted with faint smile. Cali
that sort of luxury has been given up
long ago. am the only business man
Of the family. Excuse my plain speak
ing, Mr.. Lidell, but there is no alterna-
tive left us"
'I want the lot, certainly" Mr.. Lid
dell said, smiling, ''and-''
''Then you must pay two hundred
dollars for it, sir.
"Ill take the matter into considera-
ton, Miss Sanet."
''Cons1der as long as you like, SIR"
said the little lass, with grave dignity.
''And pray don't think that because I'm
woman, I am fool"
So the Squire retreated, rather dis
comfted
just three weeks afterward, Janet
juniper was sitting on the doorstep en-
gagged III the somewhat prosaic business
of Smelling peas, when the village omni-
bus clattered noisily up to the door, and
out sprang Josephine.
Janet dropped all the silver-green
treasures into the grass, hereyes lighted
up, and the roses dyed her cheeks.
''Josey."
eyes, it is I. Back again, Jenny
''And the Enchanted Prince?'
Janet spoke lightly, but Josephine
answered her in good faith
HE has come, Jenny. And oh, am
SO happy And 1 hope you'll love him
as you would a real brother. He will be
here on Thursday. He wants to see you
so much, and he knows he shall like YOU.
But come don't stand there, dear. We
must so in and look at your things.
Aunt Cholford expects you at Saratoga
on Saturday"
cat Saratoga But [ can't CO."
''Why not? 2"
Janet hid her glowing face on her sis