The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1876-11-09
and took great fancy to her, and COM
menced paying her considerable atten-

and took great fancy to her, and com;
menced paying her considerable atten'
ton.
Young Hale had always been Mary's
particular aversion. She had disliked
him from his boyhOod. But she did not
scruple to flirt with him little, hoping
to arouse Joshua's jealousy and bring
him to the point.
1t seemed to have its effect; for learn.
ing that Mr.. Lawrence, one of his neigh.
bors, intended to give party, and hav.
ing obtained an inkling in some way
that that village chap, as he termed his
rival, intended to take Mary, he went
over to Squire Dearborn's early next
morning and asked her himself.
Delighted at the success of her ma.
neuver, Mary gave a smiling consent,
and at the appointed time, much to the
ehagrin OF the young colleGian, who had
intended to appropriate her to himself,
she went accompanied by Joshua.
Alarmed at the bare possibility of
losing her, Joshua appeared like new
man; and instead of moping in some
corner, as was his wont, not daring to
speak to her or any one else, he remained
by her side the whole evening, scarcely
quitting her for moment, then only
when she requested him to bring her
some refreshments.
Mr.. Hale. who Had viewed Joshua's
attentions to Mary with a jealous eye,
heard this request, and, being we'll aware
of JOshua's blundering propensities, very
maliciously placed stool directly in his
way. Pretty soon Joshua came back, and,
instead of walking around the stool, as
any one else would have done, he stum-
bled over it, and sprawling full length
upon the floor, landed the contents of
his hands, which consisted of cup of
coffee, and plate heaped with dough-
nuts, pumpkin-pie, and various other
eatables, directly in Mary's lap.
This unexpected feature produced
quite sensation. Mary set up loud
scream, and the rest of the company
rushed in to see what was the matter /:
and it was some time before order Was
70 stored.
When the tumult had in a measure
subsidized, Mary looked around for the
unlucky cause of it, but he was nowhere
to be found. Mortified at the ridiculous
figure he had cut, and the merriment of
those who had witnessed it, he had rushed
from the house, and never slackened his
speed until he reached his room, and
bolted the door, firmly resolving, as he
did so, that he would never speak to, or
even look at a girl again, as long as he
lived.
Poor Mary was more annoyed at
Joshua's evident discontinue than at
the loss of her dress, which was nearly
ruined and she conceived q stronger dis
like than ever to the young collegian,
who, she was quite sure, was at the bot
tom of il all. She resolutely declined
his profered escort at the close of the
going home with one Of
her brothers; /; leaving him the alternative
of attending some other lady or going
home by himself
Two Sundays passed and Joshua did
not come near her; and, on the Monday
following, Mary put on her bonnet and
shawl and went over to his house for the
ostensible purpose of having a gossip
with old Mrs. Wheat, who lived with her
son, but in reality to find out what had
become of her sensitive lover.
Much to her disappointment Joshua
was not at home, though she saw coat
tail quickly disappear through an op-
pOsite door as she entered the room,
which she shrewdly conjectured belonged
to him.
After sitting awhile and chatting with
the old lady, with whom she was quite a
favorite, Mary rose to go, saying as she
did so, that she guessed she would go
across the lots, as it was considerably
nearer.
She accordingly passed out of the back
way. As she was going through the
garden she caught glimpse of Joshua
in an adjoining orchard, walking dis
consolately among the trees laden with
their delicate fruits and looking as though
he hadn't friend in the world.
He started and colored as his eyes fell
upon Mary.
"Why, Mr.. Wheat" she exclaimed,
in tone of surprise, "who would have
thought of finding you here? Why,
l haven't seen yOn for an age. Have you
been sick T'
&" "Yes-no-thati is, haven't been very
well, lately" stammered Joshua, look
ing as if he had half a mind to run
away.
"You don't say so You are looking
pale," said Mary, with an appearance of
great sympathy, glancing mischievously
at his face, which was growing redder
every moment, and which certainly
showed no signs of i'll health.
"What beautiful situation p she re-
sumed, after a pause, looking admirably
around on the well.cultivated farm.
"There is only one thing wanted to
make you comfortable" she added,
slightly, "and that is wife. What in
the world is the reason you don't get
married, JoshuaT
The poor fellow colored clear up to the
tips of his hair.
"I-I-really don't know" he gasped
there - there - won't anybody have
me-"
FiddlesticksW was the laughing re
ioinder; az know better than that
There are plenty that would If yor
would only take the trouble to ask them
l know of one, at least" she added, in {
lower tone.
"No, but really, do your inquired
Joshua, earnestly. "Who can it be ?"
This was rather too much, and grow
ing indignant at either his stupidity o
want of courage to take advantage o
the opportunity she gave him, she re
mained silent.
"What singular looking apple tha
is that you hold in your hand" she re
marked, breaking the embarrassing
silence that ensued.
Eyes" returned Joshua. "Ips new
kind that / grated last year, and tn
only one that came to perfection. Won
you have it, Miss MaryY' he added, look
ing at her timidly.
"Will have you, Joshua? OF cours
will" said Mary, with the most inno
cent air imaginable.
Joshua was thunderstruck, scarcel
daring to believe his ears.
"Are you in earnest, Mary?' he in
quired, looking auxiously into her face
Il n