The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1880-10-08
HOW CHERRY THOUGHT OF 1T.

~e>AA~>>%>>So
little brown-eyed, brown-haired teacher,
that she scarcely noticed the group OF
girls on the steps until, as they moved
aside to let her past, she caught frag-
ment of their conversation.
'.Melted lead is lots of fun-runs into
such queer shapes, you know, and tells
what his occupation is going to be"
.tOh. apple parings are better! They
almost tell the name." interrupted an
other. ssThrow 'em over your shoulder,
and they'll fall on the floor all curled
up, and make the initials as plain as
can be. Why, saw-Hushr'
The last word was due to her own
near approach, and she walked on,
smiling family at the idea of consulting
such oracles to decide her future, and
settle the question that vexed her.
She had promised, rather YEARLY,
when John Aston asked her the night
before that she would think of it. She
might have thought with rosy bushes
and swift glad heart-throbs if it had
happened in q different way-if he had
come as stranger to Glennville, and
there had been the romance of q first
meeting, the sweet surprise of an &C
craftsmanship growing gradually
warmer and dearer until there came the
sudden knowledge that, though, Two
to the world, for the worlds works
sake" they were "each unto each, as
in Gods sight, one"
For, Cherry acknowledged to herself,
she " did like John, of course" That
was the trouble-there was 40 much of
course about it. Why she had known
him ever since she could remember.
They had built mud-ovens and hunted
wintergreens together, and he had
whitfield horrid wooden dolls for her
with his first jackknife. And now he
had asked her to be his wife. Asked
her in just one of their familiar COM
monplace chats by the little back gate,
without even the glamour of moonlight
over them!
She was keeping her promise most
thoroughly. Aunt Barbara helped her
to begin its fulfillment at the breakfast
table.
Heard some one come home with
you last night. Charity. Was it John
AlstonP"
"Yes'm," said Cherry, meditatively.
"Most folks think you two are keep
ing company"
"Most folks certainly thought correct
ly-last night
"You amt dumb when you don't
want to be, Charity. You know what
/ mean well enough" said Aunt Barba-
IA, with q sagacious nod of her head.
!" You two don't 60 together so mueh
for nothing"
"No'm; it's for company, generally"
Cherry, serenely.
Eyes; and you've learned pretty
well how many it takes to make compa-
ny. Well, I don't know but you might
do worse.''
Cherry's worn kid boot began to tap
uneasily on the carpet under the table.
ITO be sure he's not as rich as
some, but then no more are you,"
continued Aunt Barbara, considering
the matter in its pros and
cons. "You'd have to begin plain.
but that wouldn't hurt you; you're
both common folks. You could easy
make q rag-carpet of evenings between
this and Christmas; and unbleached
UlUSAlu Has COAuo OOWu tuICC CCueS
..Aunt Bar5arar' interposed Cherry.
swell, what nowP' demanded Aunt
Barbara, with an injured air. II didn't
know as it was any great crime to be
what's best for you"
"My whole life has been nothing but
and unbleached muslin. I'd
like q change?' burst forth Cherry,
stormily. And there's no use in
planning for what never win come"
"Dear me, what flare up! Many
better folks than you haven't Jared as
well all their lives, Charity Holmes"
That was true enough, but Cherry
was in no mood to hear it just ..hhen.
Besides. she couldn't endure her full