Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1875-11-20

A"oe'hoS "'tH SiSonsAS p"AA va SoAuon-
scissors that morning, when young La
cy sprang over the hedge and saluted
him with buoyant "good-morning."
"Well, sir" he went on gaily, II
have seen the property, and am perfect
ly delighted. A fine, healthy invest
ment-no disease about it, I am con-
vinced." .aiq 4&
"Hem!" said Mr. Thorne obviously.
"And I would like to take second
more thorough inspection in your soci-
ETY., sir, if you please"
Really, Mr.. Lacy" said the old man,
sharply, "my daughter has not yet
come down STAIRS"
"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. /
observed good deal of native rough
ness, but I cannot doubt that there is q
very great susceptibility Of Improvement.
A little iudicious cultivation will accom-
plish wonders"
"Let me tell you, young man." began
Mr.. Thorne in towering rage, but La
cy saw that he had unconsciously COM
mitted some arch blunder, and fastened
to say:
."In short, sir, 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 impos-
sible to shape into words.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS" he began;
'syou talk as if this was mere matter
of business.
Jack was puzzled enough. "It is the
way in which I have always heretofore
been accustomed to treat such affairs,
SIR"
Heretofore you have been accus-
toned! And pray, sir. how many such
little affairs have you had on your
handsg' 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?"
''No; why should I be?'
"Get out of my garden, you young
reprobater' screamed Jabez leaping up
with lightning rapidity. 'To come
here and offer to buy my daughter, as
if she were patch of potatoes! Go, I
say!'
"Your daughter, Mr.. Tnorne!'
eyes, my daughter, you Jack-a-
dandyY'
"But I'm not bargaining for your
daughter. I'm bargaining for that land
across the river"
"Dont tell meY' calculated old Mr..
Thorne, tugging away at the fastening
OF his pocket book; "your uncle's letter
has informed me of your atrocious in
tention."
"Will you allow me to see the letter,
sir ?''
Thorne ierked it out of the compart-
ment where it lay, and tossed it angriiy
toward Lacy. He opened it and in
spite of his annoyance and mortieation
burst into laughter at the sight OF Min
nie's dainty handwriting.
"Its nothing to laugh at sir" ex-
claimed Thorne.
"My dear Mr.. Thorne, we are all the
victims of 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 for wife?"
"I came to purchase real estate"
"Whew-w-wp Old Jabez Thorne
whistled loud and long, then offered
his hand to his guest with hearty
laugh.
"Well, my boy, I'm heartily sorry
called you SO many approbrious names,
but Mary and I thought you were after
her. must go and tell the little mink
what blunder we've made"
"Stay a moment, sir, said Jack, lay
ing OBTAINING hand on the old gentle-
mans arm, as his quick eye detected
the distant futter of Miss Thorne' hight
dress among the trees; will You allow
me to make the necessary explanations
myself? am not at all certain that,
after have selected home, shall not
enter into business-like negotiations for
a charming wife to preside over it."
GAS you please. my lad" said the
old gentleman, chuckling. ''Ill give
my consent, IL only to atone for my
viilainous treatment Of you little while
ago."
Heresumed his gardening operations.
occasionally pausing 10 laugh oil to
himself, while cousin Jack sprang up
the path to seek Mary.
They were absent q long time--in
fact, as old Jabez thought, an unreason-
ably long time, before he discerned
through the dense foliage of the acacia
hedges their advancing forms. Mr.. Lacy
looking exceedingly proud and sslf-sat-
isfied, and Mary leaning on his arm,
with her pretty cheeks flushed, and her
lips wreathed in timid smiles.
"what does she say y roared the pa
terfamilias.
"She says she'll consider i'll" an
swered Jack demurely.