Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-07-26
lContinuod from first pageJ

ents, why. that altered the case. She ac
cepted them with IN alscritv worthy o
Mr.. Dorritt.
As these testimonials usually reache,
her on Sunday. it followed that, wherevei
Miss Lovisa might be during the week
the Lords Day was sure II find heI
in her queer little cottage opposite thu
church. Hitler came David in thu
twilight of the Sabbath of which
have spoken, ambing up the narrow patti
with his own peculiar gait. quite like that
OF small boy riding the paternal cane
Lovisa, at the moment RECALLING hersel
with the diluted dregs of the company
tea. spied him above the inclined rim o
the cup, and in her perturbation scalded
her throat with the boiling liquid.
Good evening, Lovi~a." said he. rest
ing his elbows on the SILL AS he looked il
at the open window.
Good evening. Mr.. Yopp." returned
she, pushing the tea eqnipage out 81
sight with one hand while extending hi
the other.
At,ll-tale crumb of gingerbread in her
palm transferred itself to David's, and he
unconsciously rolled it between his thumb
and finger AS he spun second thread oi
conversation.
ats been toleraby warmsh day, Lo-
VISA
Tedious warm" sighed she. adding,
gratuitouslv, t. cloak her nervousness, sit
gives me Il weak. al-gone feeling"
Just so, Just So assent "a David with
a sympathetic groan which would sound
too cheerful Constitutionaily he took lite
easier than she. As rule he considered
this pretty nice world hut Lovisa knew
10 the contrary
Does the old gentleman feel the heat
much ?" she asked, uneasy because David
made move to 90.
"Desperat ly-facl " answered he.
An embarrassed pause succeeded. dur
ing which, Lovisa's finger steered restlessly
along the two curving bays OF hair that
encroached right and lett upon the bold
bluff of her forehead and David anxiOusly
watched their progress. Olce he half
opened his mou h to speak. but ii sprang
together again like his own house door in
that dog-day weather.
Lovisa grew each moment more uneasy.
She was afraid il did not look well. Mr..
Iopp's standing at her easement in the
gloaming; she was equally afraid it would
not sound well should she invite him 10
and vet he was her neighbor-she could
not bid him go.
Il suppose grandsir feels your mothers
death good deal P'' was her next remu-
lous remark. thrown out as a sort of plank
to bridge over the silence.
Yes, father misses her, and | miss
her." said David, crowding the words ont
helter-skelter, lest his lips should close
over them. Seems il we couldn't get
along without mother. And | was won
dering, Lovisa-that is. | want 10 ask you
What saw, Lovisa, amt you willing to
take her place? | do wish YOU would.
There's nobody would suit father so
we'll"
Nobody would suit his father so well as
a daugbter-in-law, David meant of course !;
but how was Miss Braun To wrest this
meaning from his wordsP How was she
to suspect that in begging her to be a
mother to him he had honestly intended
to ask her to be his wife? She was no
clairvOyant, but at that moment most in
dignant woman, with an unwonted
fash in her eye. Marry Grandsir Yopp,
indeed How old did they take her to be P
Father II hardly look Tor another palt-
ner; his age and infirmites considered,
you couldn't reasonably expect it, pur-
cdCd DdSius III n touSiutIdlt lbDt anu
this obligates us to make some other ar
rangement. You see it naturally would
Lovisa.
Whatever she saw, she made no out
ward manifestation, though her anxious
swain glanced toward her deprecating ly
TO assure himself that she appreciated his
domestic necessities, aud justified him in
contemplating marriage.
We've had no end of housekeepers, -
he Numbered on, land none of EN- gave
satisfaction. Now | want somebody per-
manent- somebody that's agreeable, and
III take an interest. You know ALWAYS
set a great deal by you. Lovisa. Can't
make bargain with your
81 don't know what You can be think
ing OF, MIR. Yopp, to propose such a
thing ~ she cried, vehemently. II never
did hire out for wages she was about to
add; but she recoiled from the mercenarv
expression TO remark with severe dignity,
81 have never lived anywhere except as
friend"
well, I'm sure don't want you to live
with me if You don't feel friendly" re-
sponded her sutton, very much hurt "rd
sooner rub along alone-iact.'
81 do feel friendly, Mr.. Yopp-that is,
! did but as to going to any body's house
IN the way you speak of, cant bring my
self 10 do it,"
"What do YOU mean Tor TO say, Lovsa,
that you have specific objections against
getting married
1t was not yet so dark that Davd's eyes,
peering at her from beneath their project
ing bull awnings, could not see the sudden
agitation caused by his words, and he took
courage.
Because, if you've no specific obiec-
lions against matrimony generally, and
feel friendly toward me individually, and
I'm so disposed, don't see, Lovisa,
what's to hinder our making bargain
''Oh, | couldn't. Mr.. Yopp--I couldn't
anyways, though its very kind in YOU to
mention it," she ialtered, incoherentlv.
while her face, usually like wax-yellow
Way glowed lurid red
Maybe you're afraid shouldn't make
You good husband. Loyisa, because Pm
getting along in years, and never had any
experience, suggested he turning his
avelted face toward her with culvilinear
jerk "but I'd do my best, and mother al
ways gave me credit for being willing
Actooally, now, Lovisa, ii does pear to