The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1877-03-10

plain, for Winnie earns enough rs daii! gov
crness to support them both cheapiy-i ~
gard him AS mere worthy th"i ese,, nain nn
my boy, shall depend upon y"u - ,a nIp fn n
teTtain our guests, and especially at taoie' loi
| shall have no servants aoO"' !" 'N"
out of their appe,ites,' ,;,o
And Mr.. Mayberry dismissed the sunIec
by arising from the table
"Would like TO go: oh, grandpa,
should! VIII we go, do you Think
The little wizened, old man looked fondly
at her over his steelrmmed glasses.
so you'd like to accept Mr.. Mayberry's in
vl,ation to dinner, ell, Winnie? You wouldn0
be ashamed OF your oldfashioDed grandfath
err, Ell, among the fine folk OF the family
Remarkably fine tolE, hear, for all can
remember when Joe was boy together WIN
myself Fine folk, Winnie, and you THINK
we'd better go?'
II would like to go, grandpa. don't have
many recreaions-1 don't want many, Ior
think contented honest labor is the grandes'
thing in the world, and the best discipline
but, somehow, l can't tell why, but do want
to go. | can wear my black CASHMERE, anu
you'll be so proud of me-"
what you wear Yes, we'll 60"
And thus it happened that among the ten
quests that sat down at Josiah Mayberry's
hospltablc OVERLOOKING board that cold, blue
skied day. Winnie Wilmington and the little
old man we're two--and two TO whom Ernest
Mayberry paid more devoted attention than
even his father had asked or expected.
OF course 1t was grand successful ex'
ceptinr the cold hauleur on Mrs. Mayberrys
aristocratic face, and that was failure, be-
cause no one took the least notice OF 1t, so
much more powerful were the influences OF
Mr. Mayberry's and Ernests courteous, gen.
tlcmanly attentions.
81 only hope you are satisfied" Mrs. Josiah
said, with what was meant TO be whitening
sarcasm, after the last guest had gone, and
she stood a moment before the FIRE; VI only
hope you are satisfed-paricularly with the
attention Ernest paid to that young woman
very unnecessary attention Indeed"
Mr.. Mayberry rubbed his hands together
briskly.
"Satisfiedp Yes, thankful to God had it
in nv power to make them forget their pow
erty, if TO- only one little hour. Did you see
little Jimmy Iiurd's eyes glisten when Ernest
gave him the second triangle of pie? Bless
the Youngsters hearts, they won't want any
thing to eat for week"
IL was speaking of the young woman
who"
Mrs. Mayberry was icily severe, but her
husband cut her short
$50 you were--pret,y little thing as eyer
saw. A lady-ike, graceful little girl, with
beautiful eyes enough to excuse the boy Tor
admirIng her"
THE boy You seem to have forgotten
YOUR son is twenty. three old enough to fall
in love with, and marry-even poor, un-
known girl you were quixotic enough to in
viie to your table"
"Twentvthreeg So he is. And If he wants
to marry beggar and she is a good, virtu-
GUS girl-why notg'
A little gasp of horror and dismay was the
only answer of which Mrs. Maybcrry was
capable.
"Grandpa'
Winnie's voice WAS so low that Mr.. Will
minglon only just heard 1t, and when he look.
ed up he saw the girls crimson cheeks and
her lovely, dropping face.
ayes, Winnie. You want to tell me some
thing"
She went up behind him, and leaned her
hot cheek carressngly against his, her sweet,
low voice whispering her answer
"Grandpa, | want to tell you something.
I-Mr. May-we-Erncst has asked--wants
me to--oh, grandpa, can you not tell what
II is?'
He felt her cheek grow hotter against his.
He reached up his hand and caressed the 9th.
cr one.
YES, can tell, dear. Earnest has shown
his uncomm on good sense by wanting you for
his wife So this is what comes of that din
ner, Ell, WINNER"
"And may | tell him you are willing per
fectly willing, grandpa? Because do love
him. You know"
Are you sure it 1t isn't his money you are
after, eh?"
She did not take umbrage at the sharp
question.
IL am at least sure it is not my money he
is after, grandpa she returned, laughing and
patting his cheek.
"lcs, you are nj least sure OF that; there,
hear thcyoung man coming himself Shall
| 90, Winnie?'
1t was the young man himself" Ernest
Nav berry, with shadow of deep trouble and
distress on his face rs he came straight up TO
Winnie and took her hand, then turned TO the
old gentleman.
Until an hour ago thought this would be
the proudest, happiest hour OF my life, sir,
for should have asked you to give me Win
ME for my wife Instead, | must be content
to only tell you how dearly love her, and
how patiently and hard | will work for her
to give her the home she deserves-because.
Mr. Wilmington, this morning the house of
Maybcrry Il Thurston failed, and both tami'
lies are beggars."
His handsome lace was pale, but his eyes
were bright with determination and brave
ness nothing could daant.
Winnie smiled back upon him, her own
checks paliug.
Never mind, Ernest, on my account.
can wait, too"
Old Mr.. Wilmlngton's eyes were almost
shut beneath the heavy, frowning forehead,
and a quizzical look was on his shrewd old
face rs he listened
"Gone up, Ell? Well, that's too bad. You
stay here and tell Winnie 1 am just as viii.
ling she shall he your wife when you want
her. as if nothing had happened, because |
believe YOU can earn bread aud butter for both
of you and my Winnie is a contented little
=. III 10 hn