Mexico weekly ledger., 1881-12-29

that | feel sure it had something to
do with Lucy's becoming zone OF
the family
About 4 O'Clock, Saturday after,
noon, the squire, n his best coat,
and with a pail of straw berries on his
left arm, knocked at Mrs. keene's
door.
Good afternOon!' said the widow,
as she let him in, with a charming
suspicion of blush On her face, which,
he had to admit, was almost as fair
as it had been fve-and-twenty years
ago.
Here's some b~erries,' said the
squire, awkwardly presenting his
offering. Lucy said the hens had
played the mischief with yours"
"I'm a thousand times obliged to
you'll" said the widow.
By that time the squire had got to
the sitting room door. Who should
he see there but Charley, seemingly
very much at home.
81 managed to get an invitation
to tea, too, 'laughed Charley. "You
kept it pretty sly, but I wasn't to be
cheated out of my share of strawberry
preserves"
Then Charley and Lucy looked at
each other, and laughed; and the
squire felt his face grow red.
Just see what he's brought us!'
said the widow, displaying the berries.
"If you'll help hull 'em, Lucy, we'll
have a short cake for tea. l remem-
Der how fond you used to be of straw
berry shortcake years ago." and the
widow smiled at the squire until there
was a dimple in each cheek.
81 remember, too," responded the
squire.
Then Lucy and her mother went
out.
"I've spoken to her about being
one of til family and she's willing"
said Charley.
IL don't understand" said the
squire, in great bewilderment, grow
ing hot, then cold.
"'Why, you know what you said
the other night when you told me you
thought of getting her mother for
housekeeper," explained Charley.
II suppose you understand, from
what you said, that Lucy and l in
tended to be married. It's all set
tied"
The squire sat speeches.. What
he thought of in the next five min
utes could not be condensed into a
column of this paper.
I'll hope you'll be happy" he
stammered, at last, feeling that some
thing was expected of him.
''I'm sure we will,' said Charley.
II hope you will, too"
Pretty soon the widow came in.
The short-cake's baking" she
said. ''Lucy said she'd hull the ber-
ries and set the table, and sent me in
to play lady and entertain company"
Charley watched his opportunity.
and slipped into the kitchen.
The squire had made up his mind
again. If he couldn't have Lucy,
he'd have her mother, If he could get
her.
Come to think it all over" he
told himself, ''that was the pest plan,
by all Odds
He wondered how he could have
been foolish enough TO think of mar
rying a girl OF t%wenty-one or two.
The idea vas ridiculous.
whats the use of waiting?'
thought he. ''It might as well be
settled now as any time.
CHESTER" he began, getting red
again, ''Charley an Lucy are going
to get married. Why shouldn't we?'
"Why, Squire Kimball!" cried the
widow, b~lushing 50 rosily that he
thought she was prettier than hel
daughter.
81 came oye on purpose to ASK
you,' said the squire, telling a most
outrageous flo. II hope you hayen'l
any objections
When Lucy came in, in half an hour
to say that tea was ready, the squire
rose up blushing like a girl, and
jerked his thumb toward the widow.
and said, in a voice that shook q little
CHATS your mother, Lucy, ]
mean, she's Mrs. Klmball, or going
to be. It's all settled
II s'pose | may kiss my father
then" said Lucy, and pumped a kis:
on the squire's lips, who said sh'
might give him another for hel
father-in.law, while she was about it,
if she'd no objections. "One'lI an
swer for both," laughed Lucy.
Then the squire gave his arm to the
woman he had meant to marry five
/, and tAenty years ago, and led her GU
to tea. He has never regretted tina
matters turned out as they did.
"Lucy can't be beat for a daugh
ter" he tells himself; but he doesn'
want any better than her mother