The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1875-09-16
,encb window. That would not ba q

~ hlAoC W uCoblll ny ul1h-
ing some original remark on the weather.
1t had the much desired effect of break
ing the ice, however, and he was agreea-
bly, surprised with the arch vivacity of
Miss Thorne. Only once did she seem
confused ; it was when she had been de-
scribing a fine grove of cedars that be-
longed to her fathers land, regretting at
the same time that he had contemplated
the sale of it.
81 believe I should like to become the
purchaser" said Jack. "Your father
has told you that I had some idea of set
ting here ?"
Mary grew scarlet, and murmured
some sentence or other. The converse
ton was effectually checked, and Jack,
perpleXed at the effect, for which he
could perceive no visible cause, rose to
take leave.
"Will you mention to your father,
Miss Thorne, that I shall call to see him
about this matter tomorrow morning {"
he asked.
All the moss roses in Mr.. Thorne's
rose-garden could not have rivalled the
hot glow OF Mary's cheeks as she fled
Jul VI w 4OOI4 hlllOuU Ii hOIu VI It,
ply.
every singular family this" muttered
Jack, slowly drawing ON his gloves and
walking down the broad garden path.
"But she is an uncommonly pretty girl
and I shall certainly take an early
walk through that grove of cedars to-
morrow morning, before breakfast"
He dreamed of blue-eyed Mary Thorne
that night, and arose decidedly pleased
that he should have q reasonable excuse
for calling at her fathers house so soon.
"I certainly can't be in love |" quoth
he, mentally. "But how Minnie would
tease me if she thought 1 was in danger
of suing for not only a farm but a wife"
Old Jabez Thorne was busily engaged
nipping the dead leaves of his pet lau-
rustinus with a gigantic pair of garden
scissors, that morning, when young
Lacy sprang over the hedge and saluted
him with a buoyant "good-morning."
"Well, SIR" he went on gaily, "I
have seen the property, and am per-
fectly delighted. A fine, healthy in
vestment-no disease about it, I'm con-
vinced."
"Hem!" said MI. Thorne, obviously.
"And 1 would like to take a second,
more thorough inspection in your So
ciety, sir, if you please"
"Really, MI. Lacy" said the old man,
sharply. "my daughter has not yet come
down stairs, and"
What the mischief has his daughter
to do with the matter" thought Lacy,
but he said politely:
"Of course I will await any time that
may be convenient to you, sir. 1 observed
a good deal of native roughness, but 1
cannot doubt that there is a very great
susceptibility of Improvement. A little
judicious cultivation will accomplish
wonders"
"Let me tell you, young man," began
MIR. Thorne In a towering rage, but
Lacy saw that he had unconsciously COM
mitted some arch blunder, and hastened
to say:
SIN short, sir, I am determined to Sc
cure the rural gem at any price. What
is the sum you demand?"
Mr.. Thorne fairly sat down on the
gravel walk, overpowered with the ava
lanche of wrath which he found impossi-
Die 10 Snhpe lntO words.
"Upon-my-word-sir!" he began;
"you talk as if this was a mere matter
of business!'
Jack was puzzled enough. cit is the
way in which I have always heretofore
been accustomed to treat such affairs,
sir"
Heretofore you have been accus-
tomedl and pray, sir, how many such
little affairs have you had on your
hands9" shrieked old Thorne, growing
purple in the face.
"Oh, several, sir. I am not SO mex
perienced as you suppose" replied Jack,
smiling.
care you not ashamed to confess it q"
"No; why should I be?"
sect out of my garden, YOU Young
reprobate !" screamed Jabez, leaping
up with lightning rapidity. "To come
here and offer to buy my daughter, as
if she were a patch of potatoesI Go, I
sayI"
"Your daughter, Mr.. Thorne !"
eyes, my daughter, you Jack-a-
"But I'm not bargaining for your
daughter. I'm bargaining for that land
across the river"
"Don't tell me !" CALCULATED MI.
Thorne, Juggling away at the fastening of
his pocketbook; "your uncle's letter
has informed me of your atrocious inten-
tion."
"Wil you allow me to see the letter,
sir?"
Thorne jerked it out of the compart-
ment where it lay, and tossed it angrily
toward Lacy. He opened it, and in
spite of his annoyance and modification
burst into laughter at the sight OF Min
MES dainty handwriting.
cts nothing to laugh at, sir" ex-
claimed Thorne.
"My dear MI. Thorne, we are all the
victims of q ridiculous mistake" said
Lacy. "My uncle never wrote this let
ter; it Is the work of my mischievous
cousin Minnie. The genuine document
must have been left behind"
"And you didn't come to look for a
wife,"
81 came to purchase real estate"
"Whew-w-w!" old Jabez Thorne
whistled loud and long, then offered his
hand to his guest with a hearty laugh.
"Well, my boy, I'm heartily sorry I
called you SO many opprobrious names,
but Mary and I supposed you we're after
her. Unjust go and tell the little mink
what a blunder we've made"
"Stay q moment, sir" said Jack, lay
ing a OBTAINING hand on the old gentle
mans arm, as his quick eye detected the
distant futter of Miss fhorne's light
dress among the trees; evil you allow
me to make the necessary explanations
myself? I am not at all certain that,
after I have selected a home, 1 shall not
enter into business-Eke negotiations for
a charming young wife to preside wei
it."
"As you please, my lad," said the
old gentleman, chuckling. "In give
my consent, if only to atone for my
villainous treatment of you a little while
ago."
He resumed his gardening operations,
occasionally pausing to laugh all to him
self, while cousin Jack sprang up the
path to seek Mary.