Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1877-02-22

tions were so well timed and SO oeIt-
ly handled that the poor, love'lorn
youth conceived that they were de-
ductions, drawn from his own ex'
perien,s and observation, rather
than aggested by Aunt Briefly 30
one day he forbade Peggy up and
down, to accept any company but
his own, though there was only an
understanding between them, which
as everybody knows is apt TO lead to
misunderstanding. He had never
said in so many words, "Will you
marry me, Peggy?" or "Name the
day sweetheart" though they both
hoped it would come to that.
So Aunt Briefly sneered in her
quiet way at Peggy for being under
mans thumb before her time came,
limited that che had found master,
if not lover, questioning IT such
things were done in the green leaf,
what would be done in the dry, till
poor, foolish Peggy, giddy with
youth, and inexperienced in the
ways of willy women, began to be-
lieve that Matthew was arrogating
to himself more authority over her
than was becoming ir lover-which
was very likely the case-and so
walked into the snare Aunt Brirely
had spread for her. One day, as they
sat together, Sam Perrin was seen to
drive up with his new turnout.
"He has come to take you to
drive,' said Aunt Briefly.
81 shan't CO." said Peggy, de-
cidediy.
"Of course not" continued her
aunt 81 couldn't advise you to such
a step. 1t wouldn't be wise. A wo-
man cen not begin too early to learn
the lesson of obedience"
81 shan't CO." protested Peggy.
"But it isn't because | mean to learn
obedience"
"No? Ii you haven't begun be-
fore this, you will never get the lee
son, child. Sans got the handsomest
team in the place. He's match to
be proud of, too. | wish he'd ask
Patty to ride!"
81 hope he may"
IL trust be won't understand why
you Decline" in the most honeyed
accents.
"Well, [ haven't declined, yet"
"Only because you haven't been
| asked"
And the result was Peggy accept
ed, and Matthew came and found
her gone, and accepted Aunt Brier-
ly's version Of the fact, which didn't
voucbsafe drop of oil on the troubi
ed waters, since she did every thing
in her power to irrilsto him, while
preserving the mask of peace maker,
| As matter of course, an unpleasant
ness ensued, which owed more than
half its animus to Aunt Briefly
arts. The lovers did not speak Or look
at each ether, except by stealth, for
over week. each one waiting for
TIE other to say the words which
both were longing to speak and hear.
But just as Peggy had made up her
mind she couldn't endure it any
longer, she heard, apparently by
chance, that Matthew Royston had
been to see Patty Pratt, and had in
vited her to merry-making.
"That's shabby enough. if Patty
is my neice,' said Aunt Briefly. 81
wouldn't blame you now if you
should give him as hard nut to
crack. There's nothing like oblig-
ing a young fellow to coma the
whole way in making up, without
holding out little finger to him,
Especially when he's in the wrong. L
suppose be expects you'll get fright
ened at this and speak first, and I've
noticed that those who speak first in
q auarral always have to take the
blame" Aunt Briefly was getting
ready the brick oven while she
spoke. for the weeks baking. She
had a flushed face and nervous man
ner. not usual with her, as she thre W
into the oven handful of pepper
which she had caught up just as
Peggy entered, and she was about
to lay on The kindlings and apply
the match, when she stumbled and
fell against pine knot that Uncle
John bad brought in to heat the
oven. and there was 10 moro baking
nor anything else done that day but
running for doctors, while a soul
lowered between life and death.
Aunt Briefly was sick five months,
| and when she had recovered from
her shock as much as she ever would,
| though she could not move hand
or frame an ineligible sentence,
she signified her desire to be dressed
and allowed to sit mp, propped up ID
the big arm chair, to look out at the
| window. andsee what the world was
about. to see the naples that bad
Just hung out their green banners
when she took to her bed, reddening
| in the October sun, and the Rev.
Moses Precept and bis wife in light
kids leaving brother Pratt's door in
a coach. How the earth had swung
round while she had been lying idle
on her back, and the baking not
donel The grass that had only be-
gun to look green and featbery when
she was stricken down had been
mown and harvested, leaving brown,
barren fields; and the grape vines
that had only put out few tender
feelers were now purple and dusty
with fruit; and the trees that had
dropped their blossoms in pink and
fragrant showers were now dropping
great golden pippins and rosy gilly
flowers. No, the earth never stood
still whatever other folks might do.
But what under the sun were Mr..
prAcept and bis wife doing at BROTH
err Pratt's with coach all to them
selves? She tried TO put the ques-
ton to Uncle John but the words
got ell shaken up together upon her
tongue, so that it was more of con-
undrum than ever. 1t was like one
of those games where you are given
the letters of a word. and left to
| snall II ont yoursaIf Rut az ITncIa