West-Jersey pioneer., 1875-06-03
Huldys now; she seems to be already under

man," and when presently she plucked
carnation for his button-hole, and leaned on
his arm as if it belonged to her, the heart
of Cyrus stood still, and he didn't feel in
the least like practicing what he was about
to preach Neither could he help acknow-
Lodging as they stood together in the paling
light that the young man had a taking way
with him, and that Huldah herself looked
his peer, with her sparkling colors and her
pretty coquetries-that there would always
be something girlish about her were she 80
years old.
1t was almost twilight when Huldah
closed the garden gate between herself and
her young man, who bent and kissed her
hand as he withdrew. She was still linger-
ing there, while the stars blossomed out
overhead, when Cyrus himself passed by,
hesitated and returned to the gate.
ga fine evening"" he said 81 suppose it
isn't too late for congratulations, Huldy?"
She gave start that shook all the dew from
the syringa bush at her elbow.
"Better late than never" she returned in
a minute. Congratulations are always
welcome, you know"
81 don't know anything about it; was
never congratulated"
"Oh, but you will be; shall congratulate
you on your first sermonE'
"Pardon; 1 did not mean to speak of my
self; and then, doubt if you ever hear a
sermon of mine"
ooh, "(sharply,) care you going for a mis-
sionary?" If Cyrus could have seen the
face that grew pale and convulsed at the
fear, he would have felt appeased; but the
darkness hid it.
mo; only you would not be here to profit
by my pastoral instructions Well, Huldah,
don't suppose that grudge you your hap
| piness."
Pm sure you needn't"
cpd rather you had it than I, since it has
been shown that we couldn't both share it
together"
"Thank you. dare say you'll find your
own share yet"
81 don't look for any. There are plenty
in the world who get on without it, sup
pose. Good night, Huidah.''
"Good night. But-Cyrus-''
"Did you speak?" turning back.
"No, no. (hastily). "Here comes Miss
Mallet. Good night"
"You don't say that your young man
leaves as early as this?' queried that per-
sonage; 'jest on the edge of the evening
too My stars! when was young, things
aoas different. But, law! girls wasn't so
ready to snap at a husband as nowadays!
Men was thicker N flies in July, and now
they re skeerse as good sense"
"Won't you come in and make it up to
ne?' asked Huldah, laughing.
"Wa'al, I don't care if 1 do. S'pose he
won't be back. He's likely-looking chap
enough, but Jane and Cyrus don't think
you'd oughter be marrying such a young
fellow. They're terrible disappointed in
you, but tell 'em it won't matter hun
dred years hence"
''Did Cyrus say so" asked Huldah
"Him and Jane had good deal to say.
I don't rightly remember the whole ont
Folks will talk spicy, you know, when others
get in luck. I s'pose you'll be thinking
about wedding cake afore long?" Miss
Mallet always baked the wedding-cak for
the people of Rowley. 81 thought I'd bet
ter speak early, as I'd allus baked for the
family, and knowed you wouldn't want a
new hand a mixing it. And there's the
bride cake. You might order the butter
and eggs and fruits altogether, or p'raps I
could do it as l go home, and save you the
trouble. Scales 6 Weight keep open till
nine mostly, and I could get good bake on
it early in the morning"
"You needn't be in such hurry, Miss
Mallet," laughed Huldah. 'I'll let you
know when Pm going to be married in good
season to have the cake done through. So
they think I oughtn't marry such young
man, do they?" the thorn ranking.
CLAW! 1 wouldn't let that hinder if |
was you, Huldy." If anything should per-
suade Huldah from the match, it was plain
there would be no cake to bake. "Let
them laugh as wins. The Aliens, to be sure.
turned up their noses as high as nine, and
don't think you've got any dignity to spare,
and Miss Higgins she laughed as though
she'd have died when pointed him out to
her, THAT Huldy's young mani says she,
| do tell has she took that child to bring
up for better or worse?' But, law, if you're
satisfied, and the cakes got a good bake,
there amt nobody hurt
Next day when Huldah dropped into Mr.
Inches store for some trife, he seized the
opportunity to tell her that he had just re-
ceived some choice silks, which he could
sell her at bargain. 'Real bridal colors,
Miss Blare' And Miss Parker, the dress
maker, refused several customers in order
to be in readiness to make Huldah's wed
ding gowns.
But the world wasn't made in day, and
Huldah and her young man seemed in nc
hurry. The neighborhood indeed, had
hardly grown familiar with their goings and
comings when a young lady appeared to
vary the scene. 1t was nothing new fol
Huldah Locke to visit her aunt, but every
one decided that this particular visit was
ill-timed. And when Huldy's young mar
. and Huldy's young niece were met walking
t in lonely paths together, Or rowing ON the
twilight river, side by side, Mrs. Grundy
could no longer contain herself, but mus
r speak her mind, convulsed as she was will
e jealous misgivings on Huldys account
Q Why had she been such fool as to asl
:. Huldah Locke down till the thing was set
tied beyond peradventure.
"Why didn't she let me bake the CAKE
and be done with it?" sighed Miss Mallet
. ''It's a justice upon her for trifing in thi
Il way. 1t ought to be a warning to others!'
sits what she might have expected o