San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1878-11-09

declared, for she's regular old maid,
and he might have had her once If he'd
wanted her. think he's an idea of get
tin Mchitablc Browne, cause her land
Joins his, and the two farms nd go to-
gether splendid
Mehitnble Browne was Miss Susan's
sister, with whom she lived a widow,
with a nice little property adjoining the
'Squire's.
And Miss Susan thought very much
as Mrs. Spencer did about the 'Squires
intention, though she didn't say so to
anybody. He came down often, and
talked good deal with Mehitable, and
it was quite natural for her to think
that he was thinking some of marriage.
And he was.
The Squire was with Mrs. Browne
an hour or two that morning, but saw
nothing more of Miss Snsan.
The truth was, Miss Susan could not
help feeling that she was in the way, if
what she conjectured was true; and
then it made her feel lonesome, when
she thought of Mehitable getting mar
ried and leaving her without home
she hadn't anyone else to care for her,
and it is always sad thing for woman
to feel that in world as wide Us ours
she hasn't home of her own, and true
hearts in it to love her. Sometimes,
when she was all alone, she got to think
ing of it, and she couldn't keep down
the tears. 1t did not matter so much
now, for she knew her sister was glad to
give her home; but if she married
Squire Gresham everything would be
changed. And then-she never liked to
confess this to herself, even-down deep
in her heart there was lingering ten
derness for the lover of her youth-the
only man she had ever cared anything
for.
I'm going to let the Squire have my
pasture lot said Mehitable that day at
dinner. Hes going to keep a real nice
lot of cows. He'll be wantin' Il good,
capable woman to take charge Of things,
1 suppose . ....
Il thought he had a housekeeper,
said Miss Susan.
He has answered Mehitable. But
he says she don't take hold like Mrs
Gresham used to. She amt Interested,
| suppose. 1t needs someone who's got
an interest in the matters and things,
you know, to make everything go Oft
tirst-ratc. Now if he had smart, 60
ahead wife, he'd save dollars and dollars
worth of things that's wasted now
Then Susan changed the subject:
but she thought of what had been all
day, and was thinking of it sadly when
she started to wslk down to the village
post-oiiicc that evening. Her way led
by Squire Gresham's. She stopped
in front of the house and noticed the
pleasant piazza that had lately been
built, the new blinds, and tae new pick
ct fence that had taken the place of the
board one.
'Mehitable will have pleasant home
if she marries Squire Gresham, she
said, not dreaming that soul was near
enough to hear her, IF / only had n
home, I don't care how humble, and
some one to care little for, l think 1
should be contented, but I'm so lone
somer and then Miss Susan began to
cry softly.
Susan said voice from the shadow
of the great lilac by the window, and
the sound of it made her start and turn
pale, do you think You could care
enough for me to try to make my home
what it hasn't been for long time? l
have been wanting to talk with you for
some time back. but | couldn't get n
chance to say what l wanted to. If You
thought you could he contented to mar
nv me, Susan, II wish you would say
so" and the Squire, who had come into
the road, and was standing Ivy Miss
Susan now. actually stammered like a
bashful lover over his declaration.
Il thought it was Mchitablc you
wanted" said she, with Il great thrill OF
gladncsS in her voice
No. IL is Won" lc answered is il