The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1880-03-27

&c | think begin to understand" said
Charley, in great surprise. "May ask
who it is?''
list s-down the roadm answer
ed the Squire, choking considerably
over the words, and jerking his thumbs
over his shoulder in the direction of the
widow Keene's.
g That's the way the wind blows, is
itP" laughed Charley. "rm glad to
hear it. You couldn'G do better if you
hunted the world over.. . F.
I'm glad to hear you say so,' said
his father, much relieved. 81 felt sure
you'd like to have Lucy as-as o mem
Der of the family" 'r 4
81 haven't the least objection to such
an arrangement, answered Charley,
with q twinkle in his eyes. 4.
"Thank the Lord that's over WITH"
said the Squire, drawing long
breath, as Charley strolled off down
the path in the twilight. "That's a
sensible boy. l wonder, now, that he
never took a fancy to Lucy. s'pose
folks'll say Pm an old fool, but l don't
care. She amt the first one that's mar
ried a man old enough to be her faith
en-"
While he sat there and thought the
matter over, Charley was telling Lucy
that his father had keener eyes than he
had given him credit for, and seemed
to understand perfectly well how mat
tiers stood between them. What he
told her after that, is none of your bust
ness, nor mine, though am quite sure
it had something 10 do with Lucy's be-
ing Zone of the family"
noon, the Squire, in his best coat, and
with a pail of Strawberries on his arm,
knocked at Mrs. Keene's door.
"G0od afternoon" she said, open
ing the door to her visitor. He could
not help thinking that her face was
almost as fair as it had been twen-
ty-fve years ago, as she welcomed
him in.
"Here's some Strawberries, he
said, presenting his gatherings. "Lucy
said the hens played mischief with
yours" ..... ...
I'm thousand times obliged to
you," said the widow. elf have any
thing that you'd like, 1 hope you'll say
So"
The Squire wanted to say he'd like
her daughter, but concluded he wouldn't
just then. By that time he was in the
sitting room. Who should he see there,
but Charley, holding worsted for Lucy
to wind, and seeming very much at
home.
"I-I didn't expect to see you here"
he stammered.
" was fortunate enough to get an in
vitation to tea, too" answered Charley.
p" You kept itpretty sly; but l wasn't
to be cheated out of my share of the
strawberry preserves"
Then Lucy and Charley tried hard to
look very demure, and failed, and
finally got to laughing. The Squire
felt his face growing uncomfortably
warm.
Just see what he brought u.s." said
the widow, displaying the berries. If
you'll hull some, Lucy, We'll have a
shortcake for tea, l remember you
used to be rather fond of shortcake, a
good many years ago." she said to the
Squire, and smiling till a dimple
showed itself in each cheek.
4" know what you're thinkin' off,
he. THAT was q little the
best shortcake l ever came across,
Hester;" and they both laughed over
the recollection of some pleasant event
in by-gone years. Then Lucy and her
mother went to the kitchen, and the
Squire and his son were left together.
Give spoken to her about being
one of the family, and she's willing"
said Charley, with little blush.
"Whatp' The Squire felt hot and
cold by turns. ell don't under
standr' ..... 1871.
"You know what you said the other
night, when you told me you thought
of getting her mother for a housekeep-
err" explained Charley. 81 suppose
from that, that you understood Lucy
and intended to be, married, some
time. We've talked it over and it's all
settled"
The Squire was speeches., for the
space of minute. What he thought
in that length of time could not be con-
densed into page of this paper. 81
hope you'll be happy" he managed to
say, very family. at last.
just then the widow came in. Give
got the cake baking" she said. "Lucy
said she'd hull the berries and set the
table, and sent me in to play lady. So
l came"
Charley concluded he could hull
too. and slipped out into
the kitchen. The Squire had made up
his mind again. If he couldn't have
Lucy he'd have her mother. Come to
think it all over, it was great deal bet
ter that way. He wondered how he
could have been foolish enough to think
of marrying q girl of twenty, and he
fifty. Ridiculous! The widow talked
about this and that; but his mind
seemed to be wandering-so much so,
that his replies were hardly appropri-
ate at times. What's the use of
waitingP" thought he. 1T might as
well be settled now as any time" A
happy thought came to him, as he cast
about for words to express his desire.
d" HESTER" cried he, very suddenly, and
with the energy of desperation, "you
said if you had anything I'd like was
welcome to it. l want your
"Why, Squire Kimballp' cried the
widow, blushing so rosily, that he felt
sure she was prettier than her daugh-