News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1882-04-13
MARRYING AGAIN.
BY HELEN FORREST GRAVES.


"Janie," said Squire Marden, "hav
you fed the young turkeys ?"
"Yes, John," jamie answered.
"And looked after the calves, ant
turned the cheeses, and aired the feathe
beds, and cleaned the cellar, and sorted
over the russet apples ?"
"Yes, Cousin john"
"Ah," said Squire Marden, it's
heavy responsibility to put upon one
person, all these daily duties, jamie
eh?"
ST hope do everything to please
you, John," faltered the quiet girl, who
sat picking over beans III huge four,
quart pan.
"Yes, Janie-yes, I've no cause to
complain" said the squire, thought.
fully feeling of his handsome, smooth
shaven chin, as he sat looking at the
slender, pretty girl.
While jamie Lee, conscious that his
eyes were upon her, changed from pink
to pale and then back again, and worked
more steadfastly than ever.
"Janie," saif the squire, suddenly,
"Tve something to say to you; and
there's no use in putting it off,"
jamie glanced up, more agitated than
ever.
"Pm thinking of marrying again, !"
said the squire, abruptly.
jamie tried to say, ssAre you?" but
her tongue Glove to the roof of her
mouth. Poor, little, flutter1ng, shy
thing-at that moment flood of inde-
scribable happiness seemed to overflow
her soul. Ever since her cousin (Mrs.
Marden) had died. four years ago, and
she, girl of sixteen, had taken the
helm of Housekeeping into her strong
7oung hands, she had been learning to
the stately, handsome, noble |
1atured squire. Nothing was too much |
ior her, when it was done for him.
Full of Carlyle's "Hero- Worship,"
jamie Lee could have written half a
dozen volumes on the subject, and
taken Squire John Marden for the Gen.
trail point of every one of them. Now
and then, spurred by kindly word, a
gentle tone, she had ventured to hope
she knew not what. Oftener still, she
had fallen into the depths of despond-
ency-until, at last, she had resolved to
spend her quiet and uneventful life in
Squire Marden's service, whether or not
her efforts were rewarded by the guer-
don she SO crayed.
But now-now that he looked at her
with those kindly pleasant eyes now
that he had spoke of "marrying again
her heart leaped high in her bosom.
We're those long years of conscientious
toll appreciated at last Was he, in
deed, about to ask her to be his wife?
marrying again !" the squire re-
peated, slowly. "You wouldn't object,
eh, jamie ?"
"I?" she faltered.
"Your position, you see, would re-
main just the same, said he. "Matilda
is a perfect child about the cares of
housekeeping and will, I doubt not, be
pleased to retain you here as her right
hand in the house; for, as you may
perhaps have guessed, have proposed
to Matilda Kerr"
Janie's heart seemed turning to ice
within her. Matilda Kerr the dashing
city beauty who had been spending the
at Mrs. Waller's-the hand
some, dark-eyed Di Vernon of girl,
who had made fun of farms and farmers,
avowed her ignorance of all domestic
details as if it were merit, and dawdled
away her time in croquet,. lawn tennis
and novel reading Matilda, who dressed
in the very extreme of the fashion, with
frizzled hair, stilted-heeled French
boots, pull-back dresses, elbow sleeves
and long, wrinkle-wristed kid gloves
who declared that life wasn't worth
having without archery-parties, cha.
rades and chocolate caramels / Thelast
person in the world whom one could
have imagined John Marden to fancy +
"Don't fret, jamie !" said the squire,
kindly. "Your home is here always,
wife or no wife. I haven't forgotten all
that you were to poor Mary, before she
died -
The touch of his hand upon her
dropping head seemed to loose the foun-
tain of her tears, and fipging away her
work, jamie darted, sobbing, from the
room.
Squire Marden looked after her, in
slow, scarcely y-comprehending surprise
"Of all enigmas," he said aloud,
"women are the least comprehensive
One woald think she would have been
delighted at the prospect of some one
to keep her company in the house. But
perhaps she prefers being alone. jamie
always was quiet little thing"
But when she came to call him to tea,
jamie Lee was quite calm and composed
again-a little pale, perhaps, but other
wise entirely herself.
"Mr. Marden," said she, with down
cast eyes, 81 am sorry I behaved so
foolishly, this afternoon; but was so
taken by surprise. II am sure hope
that you will be happy y
"You are always kind little darling,
jamie" said Mr.. Marden, with smile.
"And am sure you and Tillie will get
along nicely together
jamie did not reply; but after the
homework was all done, that evening,
and she was in her own room, she set
herself diligently to work, writing ont