Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1877-05-11
"It quite took HE by surprise, ''said
Miss Pinkham.

uOW, WIN Jnelr nanukcfcnlcIS StuHeu
in their mouths, were enjoying it all
exceedingly.
81 never had thought of such a
thing" continued Miss Pinkham;
never had meditated change"
81 think it would be a good one
for us both," said John, thinking of
the mule colt he was so desirous of
possessing.
"And you're sure you'll not repent
it?" asked Rebecca, wondering why
her lover seemed SO cool and sat so
far away from her, not even offering
to take her hand.
"Well, no." answered John; 81
think I'll have good match if we
make the bargain. Are you going
to take me up?"
"rake you up?" calculated Miss
Pinkham,in surprise.
eyes, my offer? Fair, wasn't it?"
''Surely, it was fair" answered
Rebecca, ''but SO sudden"
"Sudden?"
eyes, would have liked little
more time"
81 never set any time," said John.
."You can think it over"
"In your letter. remarked the
lady, drawing the yellow-enveloped
document from her pocket
"Letterr' calculated John, in as
tonishment. 81 never"
"Did you not send me a letter
this afternoon?" inquired Miss Pink
ham.
"Not that l am aware Of" answer
ed John.
"Read this, and tell me did you Or
did you not write me this letter.
calculated Miss Rebecca, passing the
missive to him.
He read it through with scarlet
face. When he had concluded, he
answered:
"Some one has been April fooling
us, Miss Pinkham, for l never saw
that letter before, and l received a
line purporting to be from you, that
no doubt emanated from the same
source"
"You are right" said Miss Pink
ham, as she read the note. II never
wrote it never thought betorc"-
with paling brow,-''that this was
the lst of April"
Just then smothered sound came
from the bay window. Both heard
it, and their eyes met. Again it
came palmer than before.
"Pd like drink of WATER" said
John, "if you have some handy" and
as Miss Pinkham started tor the
dining-room he followed her, closing
the door behind them.
Minute after minute passed, and
they did not come back.
Belle peeped out, then Sue, then
they whispered together, then they
waited long and patiently, but in
vain.
An hour later they stole up tc
their room. About midnight, still
listening, they heard the gate slam
as John Cotton departed.
Somehow it wasn't so very funny
after ALL" whispered Sue, "and I'm SC
afraid auntic will find us out.''
"Bah! go to- sleep; she'll neve,
suspect lis. How could she?" ans
wered Belle, and SO the mischief-lov-
ing spirits closed their bright eyes
and went to sleep, dreaming OF fresh
sport for the morrow.
"Girls," said Miss Pinkham, the
next morning, as the trio sat discuss
ing most delicious breakfast, "you
no doubt saw me receiye a letter
yesterday"
"Now it's coming" thought Sue,
turning her eyes stealthily toward
her sister, whose countenance was
wearing an expression of the most
perfect nonchaldnce.
AS there was no reply, the cool
calm voice continued:
Gin this letter was an offer OF mar
riage. Mr.. Cotton has honored me
by asking my hand, which"-wlth a
penetrating glance at her two nieces
-"I have promised him"
ooh, Aunt Becky!" cried the girls
in breath.
"It will somewhat interfere will
our previous plans," resumed the
lady, coldly. "Mr. Cotton and l are
to be married the first of June, ant
our bridal trip will be to the Centen
NAL. OF course, if you care to re
main the summer, you can do so
you are welcome to my house, ane
Mr.. and Mrs. jenkins will do all il
their power to make you comforta
ble."
"We'll go homer snapped Belle
eft we'd known"
"Of course we none of us can SEE
into the FUTURE" resumed Aunt Beck,
calmly, "When l invited you t.
spend the spring and summer could
not foresee the letter l received yes
terday. Circumstances alter cases.
Small appetite had the nieces to-
coffee and mullins and delicious
cream toast now, and, soon excusins
themselves from the table, they
sought their own room, where they
began packing their trunks and pre-
pairing for their departure.
"We missed the best part of all,
muttered Belle. 81 wish we coult
have heard how they made it up il
the kitchen"
"We eavesdropped little toe
much, | think, for own good," pout
ed Sue. "Aunt heard you laugh"
"You as much rs L." answered
Belle.
"But you contrived it ALL" wep
Sue, "and now good-by to our sum
mer's camping at Manitou Springs
and our trip on ponies to the top o
Pixies Peak"
"Well, it can't be helped now," re
piled sprightly Belle, "and, for IN,
part, Pm not going to cry over spill
milk"
"Well, we'll not stay to call hin
uncle anyway" pouted Sue, quit
ready to cry again. "Don't suppos'
we shall ever see Colorado again.
Aunty'll never ask us again."
"Of course not" answered Belle
defiant to the last; "but who cares?