The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1877-10-18
;AnAa's Plan.

pOked the glowing Goals vigorously.
When he was vexed he always did that.
by way, I suppose, of satisfying his de-
sire to strike whoever he happened to be
be vexed with.
This time it was his pretty daughter,
Anna, who was making her shining knit
ting needles fly faster than her father
did the poker, while her bright brown
eyes gazed somewhat defant1y at the
form Of her father as he stopped over
the fire, and her pretty red mouth was
compressed with a determined express
sion. 49,,
Mr.. Gracey's head was shocky and sandy
now, but if one had seen his portrait as
young man it would have shown dark
auburn which lay in waves, like Annas
own, and in the face strong g resemblance
to hers.
She resembled him in her strong will,
too, land their opinions clashed oftener than
was quite agreeable to the gentle mother,
who wanted everything to go on so
smoothly.
This time it was Anna's beau-indeed,
her accepted lover, who had once had the
father s consent-who was the cause of
the trouble.
There was dance over at Westfeld
Corners, as it was called, and Anna was
determined to 20 with her lover, Richard
Landon, and her father was determined
she should go with city cousin who was
visiting them, in their own trap. And
if he could have seen a letter from Rich
ard, which was snugly hidden in Annals
pocket, he might have been more deter
mined than he was.
"Father, you never once objected to
Richard till you had that dispute with his
father about the land" said Anna.
"Maybe not" replied Gracey, straight
ening up his tall figure; "but I've vowed
since to have nothing to do with the
whole set of Landons. Like father, like
son. Nobody knows how Richards go-
ing to turn out. I've made up my mind
I won't have him poking round here any
longer"
"But, father, we had your consent once" F"
"Don't care if you did. I take it back
that's all. Now, there's your Cousin
Tom wants you as bad as Richard does
why can't you take him, like a sensible
girl and be satisfied"
"Father, nobody thinks much of Thom-
as Wilby but you. I don't believe half
the tales about his being SO we'll off.
never will marry him, I tell YOU"
"We'n see about that. As to this
dance to-sight, you can either let Tom
drive you over, or stay at home"
It was on Annals lips to say she would
stay at home; but Richards plans and
rleadings spoke for him.
I'D rather 60 with my cousin than
stay at home," she said, quietly.
Every we'll then, you can CO." said
the father.
Anna turned and left the room, but
there was something in her air all the
morning which made the old gentleman
very suspicious.
So at dinner 10 remarked:
II believe I'll run over to the Corners
and sec the young people sfrolic tonight.
/ reckon they won't turn me out if I don't
dance myself and haven't seen young
folks party these twenty years. Yes, I
think I'll saddle old Aleck and ride
over.".
"Do, Uncle that will be jolly!" said
Thomas Wilby, while into Anna's face
there stole q look Of blank CONSERVATION,
which did not escape Mr.. Gracey, and he
slyly chuckled to himself:
"Aha! reckon I've matched 'em this
time"
But Anna's wits were busy, too, while
she was helping her mother wash the din
ner Dishes. Suddenly, as they stood put
ting away the last shining tins in the tidy
pantry, Anna caught her mother by the
shoulder, aud said:
"Mother, have your consent to marry
Richard2" -
"Yes, dear daughter. Richard is worthy,
we know"
"And you don't want to see me marry
Cousin Thomas?"
ooh, Anna, l had rather see you
dead!"
"Well, my dear little mother I don't
think I'll die, and I know won't marry
cousin. But now, mother, I'll tell you q
secret. can trust you?"
"Yes, Anna"
swell, dear, Richard wrote me to meet
him at the dance to-nig ght. Then VIC
would slip away, 60 over to Westfeld
and get married tomorrow morning.
What do you say, mother dcar2"
The good little woman began to cry, but
she said:
"Do as you please, Anna can,t blame
you. The life your father leads you is
pretty hard. I know. But oh, Anna, your
father is going to the Corners!"
eyes, mother, on purpose to watch us;
SO Richards plan won't work. But
have another one. I can count on your
er afterward.'
"Yes, yes,' sobbed the mother.
"Ihat's dear, good mother" said An.
ma, kissing her. "Dont think I don't ap-
preciate our sacrifice, for do. And aft
er all's done I'm sure father has toe much
sense not to make the best Of it."
"l1l do my best for you, dear"
II know you will, mother! / won't
tell you my plan, for it might get you in