The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1874-05-27
his determination of committing him.
self as Snnn aS nnSsilln

they well understood what was up
permost in Johns mind, but they
gave the young man no intimation
that they suspicioned his inten-
tions
After last lingering look at the
looking-glass, John started fourth
into the darkness, taking the shortest
road possible, to the residence of
Israel Ives.
lie came to the place he intended
visiting. A bright light cleaned out
/ through the front windows, with
welcoming beams, and he fancied he
could see smiling faces there, yet
his heart thumped so very singularly
under his shineing satin vest that it
was several minutes before he could
make up his mind to knock at the
door; he walked up and down the
road past the place several times,
to calm himself and to think over the
words he proposed saying when in
the presence of Miss Ives
! At last he turned in at the gate,
and walking boldly up to the door
he made his presence suddenly known
to the Ives family, by means Of the
friendly assistance of the heavy brass
/ knocker.
Israel Ives came to the door, with
flaring candle in his hand; he gave
sudden little start of surprise upon
recognizing his visitor
why! john" he said, lis that
you?"
is Miss Ives at home?n said John,
nervously, forgetting in his sudden
embarrassment to designate the par
ticuIar Miss Ives he wished to
see.
Certainly, certainly" replied
Israel, smiling mischievously, walk
right into the parlor and sit down
and she will come in presently
Leaving his hat upon the rack in
the hall, John did as he was bid; he
sat down upon the outer edge Of the
chair and awaited the young lady's
coming. He heard several suppress
ed giggles in the adjoining room, and
a subdued suggestion upon the part
of Israel that they had best act silly
and foolish. Then the door opened
and in sailed Miss Sophrony Ives,
followed by Patience, Malvlna and
Lucy Ives each simultaneously smil-
ing and trying to look as sweet and
pretty as possible. They advanced
one by one and gave John a greeting
after which they arranged themselves
in graceful group around him; then
began the Iiveles. conversation John
had ever listened to. lie began to
grow uneasy and lose his self-posses-
sion. This was rather more Miss
Ives than he had anticipated meet
ing.
At last sudden idea occurred to
him.
Girls" he said, do any Of you
play Jitad mans but"
The young ladies all suddenly gig
gled
Sometimes, " said Miss Sophrony
wite a sly glance at her sisters.
Suppose we have a game" then
said John, earnestly.
Several handkerchieis were stimuli
taneously produced, and before John
was aware of it he was in midnight
darkness.
But you must be blinded, too,
Lucy" said Miss Malvina; lit makes
it livelier to have two, you know"
So Mss Lucy's sight was tempo
rarily ohscured in the same manner
that Johns had been.
Then the word ready " was given
and without a word of warning So
phrony, Patience, Priscilla, and Nal
vina nciselessly glided from the room.
For awhile John and Lucy CROPPED
innocently around the room, each
failing to find the object sought. At
last John spoke:
II say, where are you all?' he
said, helplessly.
No answer came to his question
from those he was seeking.
John" said Lucy, Il believe |
they're hicing"
just at that moment the two an
preached each other with their arms /
extended, and they were each sud
denly clasped in each others embrace |
This was a sensation so new To
John that it almost deprived him of
articulation.
"Oh, is it you, john" said Lu-
cy. 81 do believe they're fooling
us"
She suddenly removed the band
age from her eyes, and the next mo-
ment John felt her deft little fingers
the knot in the handkerchief
that was tied around his head.
Look here, john" she said, in
a half-provoked sort of way; Just
see what trick they've played upon
Us. l might have known what they
were up to. Ne,ea mind, we'll have
A pleasant visit now"
They sat down side by side Oh the
Sofa, and Lucy talked so
pleasantly and encourageingly to
John that he soon felt perfectly at
home.-He was almost astonished at I
Ills selfpossesion. The minutes
enlightened into hours, and, well, he I
never could fully explain how it was,
hat Lucy promised him that she
would be Mrs Jansen whenever he
was ready to claim her as his own,
and John went home that night very
proud and happy, and on the follow
ng morning he informed his aston
shed father that any time that farm
was ready he would be ready to go
to housekeeping.
Peter Jansen kept his word, and
John was often subsequently heard
TO say that if it hadn't been for that
friendly game of blind mans buff he
would hardly have known how to
have made choice.