The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1881-01-22

"Yes," cried Laura, "send him up"
The servant departed to obey the last
order.
In a few moments the old man came in.
He was poorly clad, with coarse blue
cloak, which was much too large for him.
His hair was white, and he wore a beard
and moustache of the same snow hue.
Making a low bow, he placed the large
basket he carried on the table, and opened
it,
II have bunch of blue flowers here"
he said, taking them from the basket,
''that will just suit your golden hair,
Miss" and he held them before Jenny.
at is my sister who wished to look at
your flowers said Jenny, quietly.
eyes, bring them here" was Laura s
imperious command.
The old mans eyes followed Jenny, as
she washed, wiped and put away the dish
es, swept the room and busted it, and then
sat down by Laura, who was still looking
over the basket
"See, Jenny, this scarlet bunch. Will
it not be lovely with a few dark leaves to
wear with my new silk p
"But," whispered Jenny, "you can't af-
ford it just now"
eyes, can. Father gave me some
money yesterday
''To pay the last dry goods BILL, said
Jenny.
"Well, I can have that carried to my
private account"
Cob, Laura hate to hear you talk
of that private account. 1t seems so much
like cheating father"
"Nonsense 1t will stand till [ am
married, and then [ can easily save it out
of my housekeeping money"
Il should not wish to marry in debt"
said Jenny.
The old pcddlcr looked earnestly at the
sisters.
"You had better take this blue bunch,
Miss" he said to Jenny. eff it amt
convenient to pay for it now, will call
again"
"No, [ shall not take them
"They are very becoming, Miss. Look
in this glass
They were becoming, mixing with the
glossy, golden hair, and setting off Jenny's
dazzling complexion.
II wish my hair was light, said Laura.
II should like to wear blue Godfrey
Horton said last night that forget-me-nots
were his favorite flowers"
Jenny colored, and placing the bunch
again in the basket, said
"Come, Laura, decide. You are keep
ing one waiting whose time, probably, is
valuable" Then, passing a chair, she ad-
ded "Be seated sir, you look tired
Il am tired, indeed was the reply.
II will take the scarlet bunch, and these
red camclias, and this white cluster" said
Laura.
"But, sister, you cannot afford it,"
eyes, l can, Godfrey Horton is rich"
The old man bit lis lips.
"Think," said Jenny, in low tone, 'if
you love him, how much it will grieve him
if he should discover this deceit
''Nonsense! Well, I'll tell you how to
remedy it. Lend me some money out of
the house keeping funds
$50" thought the old man, "she is
house keeper. Miss Laura always gave
me to understand that that was her post"
"Laura Steal from father"
"Then don't preach
"Miss Jenny" said servant, entering
at that moment, ''the dinner has come"
Jenny left the room, and Laura still
turned over the gay flowers, while the old
man pointed out their various beauties,
his eye, in the meantime, running over the
disordered hair, shabby dress, and lazy
position, whilst he mentally contrasted
them with Jenny's neat attire.
"Not decided yet?" said Jenny, re-
turning after short absence.
"No. Come here"
Il can't! Father has sent home a
calf's head and l am afraid to trust it
entirely to Margaret. must superintend
dinner, make pudding, and the parlor
chairs must be busted, and, there is my
white nulled to be finished"
Before | would be the drudge you
are p cried Laura.
Drudge! nonsense! [ have plenty of
time left for enjoyment; and father cannot
have comfortable house, if some one
does not superintend these things. When
[ marry you may do it," and she laughed
merrily.
GAS if [ should not marry first ~ said
Laura. "There; have chosen all I
want" "Shall l call again for the
change? ?" said the pedder. II shall be
happy to put the Misses Somers on my
list of customers"
eyes, call again"
So the peddler took up his basket,
walked home, threw aside his wig, beard
and disguise. and wrote an offer of his
hand and heart to Miss Virginia Somers,
which was accepted.
Laura Somers has two sources of pro-
found speculation One is-"Why did
Godfrey Horton propose to Jenny instead
of me?' The other-"I wonder why
that old man never called to be paid for