The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1877-05-26
FLOTS HaNDKERCHIKF FLIR.
9ATIOA.

Though John Kennedy had not yet
proposed, Floy Wheeler considered her
self almost as good as engaged. And SO
she was. Had John had sisters, Floy
would probably have been intimate at
the home of the Kennedys. But besides
John, the family consisted only of his
father and two maiden aunts.
Mr.. Kennecy', senior, was something
of a book-worm, and very partial to
dressing-gown and slippers; while his
sisters-in-law, the one an invalid, and the
other both nurse anu hoasekeeper, were
equally domestic in their tastes and
habits. So it happened that Floy Wheeler
had never met them.
John, as dutiful in the character of son
as in that of lover, presented himself, on
a winter evening, hat in hand, before
his father.
GOOD night, father. suppose
shan't see you again till breakfast. 1
shan't be home before twelve or one,
probably"
Ell, JUN, uOW tlls ~ Scems W
me it's about the same thing every even
ing. Do you visit this Miss Wheeler 80
regularity
"Well, yes, sir. We're going to the
Princess's Theater tonight"
"H-u-ml Very we'll. Good night, my
son 1t looks pretty serious" continued
the old gentlem man to himself, as the front
door clossd alter his SON" pretty seri-
Gus, declare, when young fellow visits
girl for a year steady By Jove, I'd
like to see the girl first Here, you Tom
Run out, and order cab Abigail, my
compliments to Miss Catharine, with the
request that she will favor me with her
company to the theater."
John, lounging in his cab on the way
to Miss Wheeler's, fell into a train of
thought closely corresponding with that
of his father. Hear him:
Father seems to suspect my inten-
tions toward Floy, and I'm glad he does.
It'll save me vast deal of explanation
and ross-questioning when the time
comes, and that isn't far off, thank for.
tune. Next week, at last-at last, Imay
tell my sweet Floy, my fair flower Dear
little thing-she knows it well enough, ]
fancy! No doubt it was wise precaution
of my mothers, when she made me
promise that / would offer my hand to
no woman until had known her init.
mately at least year; wise precau.
ton, certainly. But it hasn't been needed
in Floy's case. might have proposed
six months ago, and been just as sure o.
her worth and loveliness as / am to-day
But it was dear mothers dying request
and | shall strictly obey it. That was ter
years ago, and was only fifteen-a boy
a mere child, and had no more thought
of marrying than l have now of dying
But she knew-mother knew what gooc
thing it is to have good wife; and THU
was the only measure she could take t.
secure me one. Yes, dear Floy, you arr
all that l could wish for-pure, modest
sweet, intelligent, lovely! Next Thurs
day night, then, is the limit of my pro
baton. Only another week. in which t.
learn more of her loneliness. l wisl
father knew Floy, declared
And just at this period of his happy
musings, the carriage stopped at the doc
of his beloved, and he sprapg out ant
up. the steps with all the ardor of al
unconfessed lover.
An hour later, Mr.. Kennedy, sittin,
in an inconspicuous part of the crowded
house, lowered his opera-glass with sat
is6ed smile, and handed it to Miss Cath
arine, exclaiming See, Cad There
John and the girl he means to marry
Don't you see 'em? Follow my eye
there Pretty girl, isn't she !? and intel
ligent, too! See how he looks at her
All, poor boy, he worships her We'll
well, she looks like nice little thing
and Isuppose it's all rightp