Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-08-10
rcoptiuued from erst psre.i

On came WItnlU tue TauHt Oh JAKE : flSlOu
Just as he dragged his boat up the beach.
having been across the bay to the light
house. He overlook her soon with his
long strides, and Mary Ann was glad
enough to have his company. With GER
tain native tact, Jake forebore to intrude
bis passion on her notice till the basket
was filled with fragrant berries, and they
sat down a moment for rest on fallen
tree. Neither OF them consciously adj
mired nature. but yet they felt serene
calm that hung over the view spread out
before them the gently heaving, blue
sea, the still blue heaven, the distant and
incessant murmur of white waves tapping
the shore, the dull green fields bordered
with tawny sand, and lar away the light
house tower and the sailing ships that
drifted to or from the wide horizon, all
these stole into their senses and kept them
silent Tor while, but Jake's heart burned
within him. 1t was not his way to put oil
a crisis, TO mince matters, he was full OF
curt courage and resolve, and now he had
business of mortal import to him to settle
with Mary Ann, he neither could nor
would delay it, so he broke the silence
somewhat abruptly.
Mary Ann" said he, II suppose you
have seen quite spell that like you fust
rate. ''Ive spoke ii loud enough in ac-
tons, but | know folks has got to use
words sometimes eff they want answers,
and do want one the wust way. VIII
you marry me, Mary Amp
The hot color rushed up to the girls
face. She was startled, and traitorous
echo in her own heart startled her more
than Jake's words. She had bunch of
sweet fern in her hand, and she began to
pull the odorous leaves off one by one, AS
an excuse for keeping her eyes cast down.
Will you? Say repeated Jake.
"We-ell, ] donno Jake haint
thought o such thing"
The coquettish nature was uppermost
now. Her lips curled at the corners with
a wicked little smile, her eyes sparkled
and her voice grew arch.
Time you did," retorted Jake. 1--we
been hangin' round We this two year, s
though the sun rose nd sot in your face,
md can't stan 1t no longer. | want to
know suthin' for sartin, Mary Ann"
''Well-you see," slowly pulling the
fern leaves, II don't-know-I haven't
made up my mind yet about marryin'."
Make it up now, then"
Mercy to me. Jake Hazard. What an
idea no. sir | amt goin' to hurry for
nobody. | can live 'thout getting mar
ried, guess. eli you can't"
81 didn't say Icouldn't," growled Jake.
Il don't calkerlate to die for nobody; but
shan't marry nobody but you, Mary Ann
Tucker, and | want TO know eff I'm goin'
to do that
Mary Ann gave little laugh 1t was
not heartless, though il seemed so to
Jake, who was in dead earnest. 1t was
merely an outlet of the inner excitement
she really felt, and she followed it up
with the truth, though she spoke it with
a certain levity. al don't see how YOU re
going to know when ] told We | hadn't
made up my mind"
"Well, how long is it goin' to take We
to do it ?" ventured the wrathful lover,
who longed to shake her soundly for her
naughtiness, thoroughly misunderstood
ing her, as men will misunderstood wo-
men till the day of Judgment, especially
if they are in love with them.
Il don't know that" she answered.
Jake controlled his rage manfuly.
"Weil them" said he, rising and looking
down at her, 81 give ye notice, Mary
auuy Il ohdil kCtP dNhih III 4 huI Oub
onless I'm onlucky enough to b'lieve you
don't want to know yerself."
She laughed again, but made no an
swer. They walked silently down the
hill together and parted at her door. She
meant to have asked him in to tea. tor she |
was about to prepare that barbarous dain-
ty, strawberry shortcake for supper,
Aunt Semanthy having brought down
from her farm a pail of cream the day be
fore. But Jake had unwittingly deprived
himself of the feast; and even if Mary
Ann had not been too disturbed to ask |
him, both luscious berries and unctious
shortcake would have been gall and Bit
terness to his lips, for he was terribly dis
appointed. Perhaps he would not have
been SO miserable if she had said mo"
finally. There are some natures to whom
worse than despair; and his
was one.
Mary Ann, fortunately TOR herself, had
an absorbing object in view, besides her
housework. There was to be O clam bake
at Point Peter on the Fourth of July, at
which all the village of Sandy Greek,
even to the babies in arms, expected to
be present; and long ago she had prom
sed Jake to go in his boat not alone, for
Hosy Long and Amy Hazard and Joe
Conkling and his wife were of that boat
load, as well rs her father; SO that her
late interview with Jake need not embar-
rass her on this occasion. But she had
% make a new dress and some fresh ruff
les, both necessitating drive to Natick
Pier, the nearest village; and then the
shaping and sewing OF the festive attire
at home, after it was bought, occupied |
ler head and hands for at least two
weeks, in the intervals of housework