The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1879-11-28

was busy IS bee, choppinr mincemeat,
sweeping, busting and polishing. The
front room up stairs, with Its pretty
furniture and blue trimmings, was put
in the most impaculase order for Miss
Maud and her sister; while the comfort.
able but palmer room back of 1t, sup
piled with odd pieces of furniture and
hesteS by q "drum," was reserved for
the seamstress.
Wednesday evening arrived, and the
whole house was In holiday attire of
evergreen and autumn leaves. The fold
ing doors between the parlor and sitting.
room had been thrown open, and the
CHILDREN were pressing their noses fat
against the windows, looking for Uncle
John. The new member OF the family
had made her Appearance few hours
before, and sat by tue stove talking with
the minister. Ere long there was ter
rible rumpus In the hall; the front door
had closed with q bang, and the boys
were laughing and shouting. Somebody
ran up stairs with q great CHATTER, and
could be heard rushing about one Of the
rooms above and then descending as
noisily. The stranger paused in the
midst of q sentence. Mr.. Dyer smiled
feebly and leaned back in his chair,
while Ruth exclaimed, "There he Is;
there never was man who made 30
much noise" As she spoke Uncle John
opened the door and walked in, followed
by his two nephews, who were dragging
his overcoat and exploring the pockets.
He had taken but q few steps when he
- lo ~ sUkf Nff ka ~
young lady, who had risen and was
gazing Al him with wild eyes and pale
face.
"Why, Marian, Marianl" he cried,
spring forward and seising her hands.
Then, with no word or look for anyone
else, he threw one arm around the tren-
bling girl, led her to the farthest end of
the parlor, seated her on q tete.a-tete In q
shady corner. Ruth, after q moments
blank amusement, comprehended the ait
uation. She hustled the staring children
into the dining.room, then led her be
wildered husband into the study and
closed the door. ats her." che said,
ungrammatically, but decidedly. The
minister not appearing greatly en-.
lightened by this brief explanation, Ruth
entered more fully into the few details
she had at her command. "She Is the
one who treated him 30, you remember.
Oh, Frank! have told you about it 30
many times" she added, despsi riDgly, a.
he shook his head. al never knew any.
thing about it," she went on, except
that he was really engaged, and some
thing happened to break it of. He
would never tell me about 1t, not even
her name" She stood a moment ru-
minating, then broke out gleefully.
"They are making it up, and We shall
have q wedding. How pretty she will
be in pure white" She was Immediately
in another service, in which she decided
Just how that white dress should be
made, and how many kinds of cake she
would have. These amiable projects
naturally led the way to sentimental re.
miniscences. She seated herself on the
arm of her husbands chair. "Do you
remember when We were married,
Frank2" she asked, pensively, pulling
the scanty growth of blonde side-whisker
that adorned the clergyman's face.
"What a question, my love-" he re-
piled. cit was the 9th of May, 8
o'clock, P. NJ"
dyes" said Ruth, with a half sigh,
as if, after all, this were not very con-
vineing proof of devotion. "YOu
always remember dates-but can you
tell what | woreP"
The minister racked his memory for
suggestion, and finally ventured, "cer-
tainly, it was purple silk"
Ruth grasped the back of the easy
chair and laughed until she was out of
breath. purple silkW she gasped at
length. alt was pale blue, and hung in
the closet seven years, out of respect to
its associations, and then had it dyed
and wore it for my best for two years,
and now it is second best, and l have it
on this very minute" and she gave q
little caressing touch to the ruffie on her
sleeve. 81 think great deal of you,
Frank" she added, sOlmenly, g. but / am
afraid that don't respect you much"
Frank replied with an untroubled
smile that seemed to imply he did not
share these doubts. "Ah, wellW he
said, off I have forgotten the colors of
the dress have always remembered the
eyes," and he took the dimpled chin in
his hand.
"They have not shed many tear,
dear eyes, since first I knew them well. "
The dear eyes opened in q pretty
surprise, and then dropped shyly at this
unwonted demonstration, and the laugh
ing, mischievous face grew suddenly very
warm and rosy, while somebody else
seemed to enjoy little serene triumph
in this momentary discontinue. One
might have thought that these two
people were lovers themselves.
"Let's zee, said Ruth, coming back tt
the world of business, they will proba
bly, be married during the holidays
John will be very impatient, and"-
Just then John opened the study door
and entered, with Miss Furness on hi
arm.
"There's no need Of explanations, b,
began, abruptly, Ruth here Knows al
about it" Ruth was indignant. Know
all about it, indeed. Was she never t.
near this romance from real life
Everything is all right now," he con
tinued, "and, Mr.. Parson, you vii
please hold yourself in readiness u
perform wedding ceremony tomorrow
morning.
Ruth gave a little shrek at this
Marian sank down in a chair with
helpless look that said, "Argue him on
of it if you can; / can do nothing.
The minister, who had long since ceases
70 he surprised at anything his brother
in-law might say or do, looked up ez
pectautly through his spectacles. JOhI
standing in the midst, looked very de
termined and defiant.
Glow perfectly absurd" said Ruth
"She has nothing to wear, have you?
appealingly, to her future sister.
Nothing new" she replied, with
aintsmile, nothing but my old checke
silk"
2 "That would not do at ALL" sai
3 Ruth, firmly. "Stripes are worn alto
gether; besides, who ever heard of bein
t married in dress that has been wor
beforel"
alt will do very WELL" said he
P brother, with his usual air of KNOWN
7 all about the matter, "she can put som
of your chrysanthemums and things
;, her hair"
al was not aware that people VOL
chrysanthemums and things on sue
occasions" was Ruth's reply.
> "Peoplel" said John with a Whit (
scorn-" What do we care for people
e For a minister's wife, must say, 20
!, ! are very worldly minded"
Really, it seemed as if a family quarr
J was Imminent. Marian began to loo
!, apprehensive. It was plain that 81
was half stupefed with bodily wearine
and mental agitation, and ready to yiel
D. to the strongest will. Mr.. Dyer had ev
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