Sharp County record., 1882-08-24


Piper wended his way toward his domi-
cile in no pleasant mood at the prospect
of an addition to his neighbours small
family.
80, dear!' he groaned. "To-day is
Thursday, and she's coming on Sat
urday. Only one more day of peace
and quietness. Of course she's flighty
young thing, who will upset the whole
neighborhood with her tantrums. just
as | had got settled and was living qui-
etly, to be tormented so-it is really
too bad.
Thus with great apprehension and
many misgiEings on his part, and much
Scrubbipg, dusting and airing by Miss
Marcia, Friday and Saturday passed,
and just as the cool summer dusk was
falling, Mollie came.
When she came into the pretty parlor,
her aunt stood still and looked at her.
Such a change as the last year had
made! Such very pretty Mollie, blue
eyed and dimple-cheeked, with mischief
in every flash of the bright eyes, and
in every curve of the pretty mouth.
"Well, auntie, what do you think of
me? Have l not grown, and am l not
very charming young ladyP" said
Mollie, with merry laugh, as she tossed
her hat in one direction, gloves and
parasol in another, and without waiting
for reply to her question, proceeded
to inform her aunt that she was despe-
rately hungry.
This awOke Miss Marcia hospitality,
and bustling around, she soon had Mol
lie seated at the Widespread table, to
whose contents she did ample justice,
while her aunt. with unusual volubility,
proceeded to enlighten her in regard to
Cherryfield affairs, not forgetting to
mention Mr.. Piper, and say "such a
nice man, dear! only very bashful; |
know you will like him."
After the repast was finished Mollie
babe her aunt goodnight and retired,
to close her blue eyes in slumber and
dream of handsome Jack Morris, to
whom she was engaged.
Jack Morris was the only son of Judge
Morris, one of Cherryfelds wealthiest
and most influential citizens, and he
and Mollie had been friends and play
mates in childhood. The year before
Mollie went away to school Jack was
sent to distant city to study law, and
they did not meet again for four years,
when, his studies over, Jack came home
to spend few weeks before beginning
life as lawyer Mollie was home on
her annual vacation at the same time,
and they met, fell in love, and became
engaged with the full consent and ap-
proval of the elders. They were to be
married as soon as Jack was well
established in business, but no one
outside of the two families was aware of
the eXis ing engagement.
Sunday morning broke, clear and
lovely, and Mr.. Piper cautiously un-
closed his blinds and took a survey of
his neighbor's premises. Everything
was quiet as usual, so he said to him
self "Guess the young lady is not up
yet, or, perhaps, it being Sunday, she
will be quiet. Time enough for her
racket yet"
As he finished speaking afemale form
appeared at the door, and fair Miss Mol
lie stepped out upon the lawn, making
a charming picture as she stood shad-
ing her eyes with one hand from the
sun, and drinking in the beauty of the
summer morning. Mr.. Piper stood
spell bound before such loveliness. AS
he gazed, his previously formed preju-
dice against his fair neighbor vanished,
and he was only recalled to himself by
the appearance of Miss Marcia calling
her niece to breakfast.
From that time Mr.. Piper knew no
rest until he had called and been in
troduced to Mollie. He called frequent
ly after that, and the neighbors began
to wonder at the change in shy Mr..
Piper. After two or three visits astute
Mollie saw how the land lay, and re-
solved upon some fun to while away the
tedious weeks until Jack should come to
turn Cherryfeld into an earthly para
disc.
Although as desperately in love as old
bachelors are apt to be when they finally
do succumb to the charms of some fair
one. Mr.. Piper was so bashful that he
hardly looked at Molle, but spent his
time during his frequent calls in con-
versing with her aunt. This just suited
Mollie, and the mischievous girl set
about deluding her aunt into the belief
that Mr.. Piper was courting" her.
Miss Marcia would not listen to a word
on the subject at first, but as Mr.. Piper's
visits became more frequent as the days
went by, and Mollie never let an op-
portunity slip to sing his praises and
descant upon his apparent devotion to
her, that lady was at last forced to be-
lieve that he really intended asking her
to become his wife.
Great was Mdlie's amusement at the
many little attempts at personal adorn-
ment on the part of her aunt. Miss
Marcia was in her youth quite pretty,