Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1879-01-25

deliciously fresh as birds carol /; she
took me to zee her pets, the new horse
that was her last birthday gift from
papa." the ugly little Scotch terrier
with the beautiful brown eyes, the rab-
bits, Guinea hens, and the supsrannu-
ated old pony, who had preceded the
new horse.
In q week l was as much in love as
even John could have desired. Mamie
was the most bewitching maiden l had
ever met: childlike and yet womanly,
frank, bright and full of girlish freaks
and boyish mischief, and yet we'll edu-
Gated, with really wonderful musical
gifts, and full of noble thoughts. She
was perfect idol in the village, her
friends and neighbors thinking no
party complete without her, while the
poor fairly worshiped her.
John allowed her an almost unlim-
tied supply of pocket money, and she
was lavish in all charity, from blankets
for old women, tobacco for old men, to
candies for the children, and rides on
horseback for the urchins. And she
had a way of comforting favors that
never wounded the pride of the most
sensitive.
We rode together every morning
we walked in the cool evening hours
we spent much time at the piano, and
discussed our favorite authors, and one
day when asked Mamie to be my wife,
she said, coolly:
"Why, of course l thought that
was understood long ago."
l WAS rather amazed at such matter
of fact wooing, but delighted at the
result. How could expect any soft
blushing speeches? Isuppose ranked
Just where John and Nannie's grand,
mother did in her affections.
But one morning, when Mrs. Still
man was shipping her geraniums in the
sitting room, and John was reading the
mornings newspapers, Mamie burst in,
her beautiful face all aglow, her eyes
bright with delight, crying:
ooh, grandma! Walt has come
home ! 1 saw him from my window
riding up the road"
She was going then, just as John ex-
claimed:
"Confound Waltz"
"Who is Waltz" naturally inquired.
"Walter Bruce, the son Of one OF
our neighbors. He has been like q
brother to Mamie all her life, but went
off to Europe two years ago, when he
came of age. They wanted to cores
pond, but I forbade that. So he has
turned up again"
1t was evident that John was terribly
vexed, and very soon shared his an
noyance. Walt, q tall, handsome
young fellow, improved, not spoiled
by travel, just haunted the house.
He was generally off with Mamie as
soon as he arrived, and blind to Mrs.
Stillman's ill.concealed GOODNESS, and
Johns sarcastic speeches about boys
and puppies.
As for me, by the time my sleepy
eyes were opened in the morning, Nan.
ME had taken long ride with Walt
was at the piano when I came into the
room, and Walt was walking beside
Mamie when the hour for our usual
stroll arrived.
And the very demon of mischief pos.
sessed the girl. There was no freak
she was not inventing to imperil hei
life, riding, driving, boating, and
fairly shivered sometimes at the pros
pect of my nervous terrors when il
would be my task to try to control this
quicksilver temperament.
But one day, when was in the sum.
mer house, very rueful little maiden,
with a tear-stained face, came to my
side.
WALT is going away" she said.
Indeed"
eyes, and he says I'm wicked firt,
with a choking sob; 81 thought ]
would ask you bout it,"
About what?"
"Our getting married. You know
papa told NE I was to marry you ages
and ages ago."
eyes"
"And I knew it was all right if he
said so. But Walt says you must be q
mrff if you want wife who is all the
time thinking of somebody else."
"And you know I can't help it. Wall
has been my friend ever since we were
always together. And when he was il
Europe papa wouldn't let us write tc
each other, but I kissed his picture
every night and morning and wore his
hair in locket, and thought of him
all the time. And he says you wont
like it after we are married"
"Well, not exactly" I said dryly
You'll have to stop thinking of hin
then"
II don't believe ever can. And 81
l thought I'd tell you, and perhaps
perhaps you will tell papa we dom
care about being married after all. ]
don't think could ever be sedate anG
grave like an old lady, and of course
ought to be if am to be an old mans
wife,"
"Of course"
"And I am so rude and horrid,
know am not like nice city girls, and
l am altogether hateful, but Walt don I
care"
l rather agreed with Walt as she
stood in shy confusion before me, hel
eyes still misty, her sweet lips culver.
ing. 1t was sore wrench to give hel
up, but was not quite an idiot, and
said, gravely:
But your fatler?"
Yes, know; he'll make real storm.
But then his storms don't last long, and
maybe You would tell him that Won