Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1882-01-28

You know very well, said Gatfer,
testify, that l never could live with
another man in the house; | should put
him out before the honeymoon was
over. And who may the happy man be :?
some blind old dollard some conceited
dawdy? some lame mendicant some
lazy vagabond who sings love ditties to
carry away CATERS money? or-or-"
Gaffer did not stop for breath, but for
lack Of sufficient expressive words to
convey his detestation of the projected
union.
"No," said Madeline she is not
blind, or lame, or seeking after your
fortune" She hesitated for a moment.
and then continued slowly, HE is
neither very young or very old, very
kind or very cross, very good or very
bad, very rich or very poor-but be-
lieve he likes me"
"Of course he has told you SO in
most affecting tones;" muttered Gaffer,
ironically.
"No," she said, quietly, "he has
not.
Madeline, are you crazy? or going
into a dotage? Why did you not tell
me you were so anxious to get married ?
and | would have advertised in all the
daily papers for a suitable lover for
widow not very far advanced in life,
we'll preserved, and anxious to leave
Galfcr Hitchcock. Why did you not
tell me all this ?" and his face clouded
woefully. "It's too bad, Maddy! /
would never have believed you would go
away again; it was bad enough to leave
ne when sister was here, but now, now,
why Maddy ! Maddy think better of
lido, and don't leave me alone, child"
Madeline's fingers worked nervously
how she longed for the knitting-work
" CATER" she said, without looking mp,
"perhaps tomorrow you will not feel
so badly about it. 1t is no sudden
thing, my determination to get married;
have thought about it for over ayear,
and yet last night / would have said
there was no telling when the wedding
would take place
Poor Gaffer seemed perfectly undone
at the news Madeline had impaired,
but at her last words he started from
his seat, and drawing up chair, took
seat in front of her.
at is not too late, then, he said, his
face radiant with hope. You can yet
retreat. Oh by the memory OF past
days; by the solemn agreement | en-
tered into with yonr father, to guard
his little girl; by all the years / have
loved and striven to serve you, do not
leave me now; you know that it would
be taking away my life to part with
you." He took the two cold hands in
his. "Will you leave me? Dare you
leave me" Still no answer. "If you
would be happy away from me, my
dear girl, say so, and CATER will not
say another word; speak, Maddy,
speak don't mind me. y
The face of the woman was averted,
but the words, though soft and tremu-
lcus, were distinctly heard by the anx-
ious man before her.
81 never said ! was going to leave
you. If ever / marry again, it will be
TO be forever near you"
The look OF anxiety on CATERS face
gave place to one of bewilderment, and
then utter establishment.
"Do you mean what you say?' he
asked.
81 do; and it is for you to Judge
whether he is blind old dotard, q con-
ceited dandy, or after CATERS money"
Then CATER rose, walked across the
room and took his old seat. picked up
the evening paper, and asked "What
time is it 2"
"Half-past nine. Good night"
"Good night" he answered, as ii
nothing had occurred; and Madeline
put the knitting in her work-basket and
left the room.
The next morning, at the usual hour,
the bell was rung. and CATER walked
down to the breakfast table, in dress
ing-gown aud slippers, to see Madeline
arranging cups and saucers in her own
quiet, precise way; they talked very
quietly together until Madeline asked :
"When are you going to New York,
Gaffer?"
"Not till after the first Of the month;
for I expect to be married on New
Years day myself"
There was nothing more said, and if
Maddy ate little, CATER ate less.
"Nladdy," he said, when they had
adjourned to the library, "you are a
very sensible girl, and l never knew be-
fore last night that l needed wife; bnt
| am fifteen years older than you, and
what will the world say ?"
"You suit me-" she answered, put
ting up her face for kiss land we
will not invite the world to the we'd
ding"