Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1877-05-23


your son is twenty-three-old enough
to fall in love with and marry-even ,
poor, unknown girl you were Quixoti'
enough to invite to your table,"
"Twenty-three? So he is. And i
he wants to marry beggar, and she il
a good, virtuous girl-why not?"
A little gasp of horror and dsmay
was the only answer of which Mrs
Mayberry was capable.
"Grandpar
Winnie's voice was so low that Mr.
Wilmington only just heard It, an(
when he heard it and looked up he saw
the girls crimson cheeks and hel
lovely, dropping face.
eyes, Winnie. You want TO tell mt
something?"
She went up behind him and leaned
her hot cheeks caressingly against his
her sweet low voice whispering her an,
swer-
"Grandpa, want TO tell you some
thing. l-Mr. May--we-Ernest has
asked-he wants me to-oh, grandpa
can't you tell what it is 90
He felt her cheeks grow hotter against
him.
He reached up his hand and caressed
the other one.
"Yes, can tell, mig dear. Ernes
has shown his uncommon good sense by
wanting you for his wife. So that i,
what comes of that dinner, eh, Win
nie?'
"And may l tell him you are willing
perfectly willing, grandpa? Because
do love him, you know"
"And you are sure that it isn't his
money you are after, eh ?''
She did not take umbrage at the SHARP
question.
81 am at least sure it is not my money
he is after, grandpa" she returned
laughing and patting his cheek.
"Yes, you are at least sure of that
there, 1 hear the young man coming
himself. Shall go, WINNER"
1t was the ''young man himself, ,
Ernest May berry with shadow of deeI
trouble and distress on his face as he
came straight up to Winnie and took
her hand, then turned to the old gentle.
man.
"Until an hour ago l thought this
would be the proudest, hsppiest hour
of my life, sir, for would have asked
you to give me Winnie for my wife. In.
stead, l must be eontented to tell you
how l love her, and how patiently
and hard / will work for her to give
her the home which she deserves-be-
cause, Mr.. Wilmington, this morning
the house of Mayberry & Thurston
failed, and both families are beggars.' y
His handsome face turned pale, buI
his eyes were bright with determine
tion and braveness nothing could daunt,
Winnie smiled back on him, her own
face paling. $50
"Neyer mind Ernest, on my account,
| can wait too"
Old Mr.. Wilmington's eyes were al
most shut between the heavy, frowning
forehead, and quizzical look was on
his shrewd old face as he listened.
"Gone up. Ell? Well, that's too bad.
You stay here and tell Winnie l am just
as willing she shall be your wife when
you want her, as if nothing had hap
pened, because believe you can earn
bread and butter for both of you, and
my Winnie is acontented little girl. III
hobble up to the office and see your
father, he and were boys together;
word of sympathy won't come amiss
from me-"
And off he strobe, leaving the lover;
alone, getting over the distance In 8
remarkable short time, and presenting
his wrinkled, weather. beaten old face
in Mayberry & Thurston's private
office, where Mr.. Mayberry sat alone.
with rigid face and keen, troubledeyes,
that, nevertheless, lighted at the sight
of his old friend. ---- r-.r-
.:I am glad to see you, Wilmington
Sit down. The sight of a man who has
not come to reproaeh me is comfort.
But Mr.. Wilmington did not sit down
He crossed the room to the table al
which Mr.. Mayberry sat among hope
less array Of papers.
"There is no use wasting words, May
berry at time like this. Did you kno"
your son has asked my Winnie to marry
hir, 30