Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1882-06-22
eyes, bring them here" was Laura s

The old mans eyes followed Jenny
as she washed, wiped and put away the
dishes, 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?'
But" whispered Jenny, ''You can't
afford it just now."
''Yes / can. Father gave me some
money yesterday"
"To pay the last dry goods bill. said
Jenny.
"Well, can have that carried to my
private account"
ooh, Laural 1 hate to hear you talk
of that private account. 1t seems so
much like cheating father"
Nonsense! 1t will stand till 1 am
married, and then can easily save it
out of my housekeeping money"
"I should not like to marry in debt, "
said Jenny.
The old peddler looked earnestly at
the sisters.
"You had better take this blue bunch,
Miss" he said to Jenny, IF it amt
convenient to pay for it now, I will call
again"
mo. l shall not take them"
"They are very becoming. Miss, Look
in the glass"
They were becoming, mixed with the
glossy, golden hair, and setting off Jen-
ny's dazzling complexion.
"I 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 flow
ers.'
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 chair, she
added: "Be seated, sir; you look
tired"
ST am tired, indeed" was the reply.
81 will take the scarlet bunch, and
these red camelias. and this white clus-
ter" said Laura.
But. sister, you cannot afford it.
"Yes, can; Godfrey Horton is rich"
The old man bit his lips.
"Thlnk," said Jenny, in low tone,
''if you love him, how much it will
aggrieve him if he should discover this
deceit:
Nonsense! Well, I'll tell you how
to remedy it. Lend me some money
out of the housekeeping funds"
''So," thought the old man, "she is
housekeeper. Miss Laura always gave
me to understand that that was her
post"
"Laura steal from father!"
"Then don't preach"
"Miss Jenny" said servant enter
ing 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 beau
ties. his eye, in the meantime running
over the disordered hair, shabby dress,
and lazy position, whilst he mentally
contrasted them with Jenny's neat at
tire.
"Not decided yet?" said Jenny after
a short absence,
"No. Come here"
II can'tl Father has sent home
oalf's head, and am afraid to trust it
entirely to Margaret. I must superin-
tend dinner, make pudding, and the
parlor chairs must be busted, and there
is my white null to be finished.
"Before I would be the drudge you
arel" cried Laura.
Drudge! nonsense have plenty of
time left for enjoyment; and father
one does not superintend these things,
When L marry you may do it, and she
laughed mefriIy.
GAS if / should not marry frst!' said
Laura. "There; 1 have chosen all 1
want. "Shall 1 call again for the
changer" said the peddler. 81 shall be
happy to put the Misses Somers on my
list of customers"
"Yes, 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 in
stead of me?' The other II wonder
why that old man never called to be
paid for those exquisite flowers"