The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1882-01-07


mate during his last two voyages, and the
captain not only liked him much but also
thought much of Susan, having stopped at
her home while her husband was living
When Captain Jerry came home with the
care of the widow upon his shoulders, he
had hit upon this happy expedient OF max
ing her his niece by marriage, and thus
having the right to care for her without
exciting scandal Jack knew how his un-
Gle had cherished this plan, and he feared
it would be hard To thwart him. The old
fellow was as stubborn as he was KIND
hearted. and where he felt he had authority
he would not yield.
Finally, Jack retired to ponder upon the
subject, and before dark he resolved to see
the widow in advance of his uncle, and he
went there that very night
Susan Garland was a very pretty woman
with plump form, and dimpled, cheer
/ full face. over which the sweet, genial smiles
were continually playing when she was
happy. She had been a widow two years.
She welcomed Jack kindly, aud after
some commonplace remarks the young man
came to the point. He related the conyer-
sation which passed between his uncle and
himself that afternoon, and expressed the
hope that she would help him.
Surely you would not wish to take me
from the being l love, he said.
sOf course not. the widow replied, with
an earnest smile. Il should be decidedly
onnosed to any such thing. know Lizzie
well. and | know, too, that she viii make
you good wife. You may depend upon
my assistance. for can tell your uncle that
/ | won't. and that viii be the end Of it.
They ehatted awhile longer, and Jack
took his leave.
! .sHe will be here to morrow forenoon,
the young man said, as he reached the
door.
Il shall be ready for him, was the re
ply, and funny light twinkled in the
widows eyes as she said so.
About / I O'Clock on the following day
/ Uncle Jerry called upon the widow. She
had left off her weeds, and now appeared
/ fresh and fair as a maid Of l6. She vel
coined the captain with one Of her sweetest
smiles. and finally took seat close beside
/ him BY dexterous turn she got him en-
gagged in relating wonderful stories ct his
adventures at sea. and thus an hour slipped
! by. OF course he must now stop to dinner,
T ~Oh. no | must 20 home to dinner.
said he. But before 20 | have little
business matter to touch upon
@Then you must wait, sur, pronounced
the widow decisiyely 1T Is my dinner
hour. and l must prepare it Wait and
eat with me. and then I'ls listen to You.
With this Susan drew on, the table,
spread the snow white table cloth. and soon
had the dishes in their places She finally
went away 70 thc kitchen, aud soon the
captain heard the pots and kettles rattling-
+ the meat sputte.ing, and brisk culinary
racket going on generally,
~Egad. the old fellow muttercd TO HIM
self. shes a splendid craft What clean
build If had come aeross such woman
years ago. | believe | should have made a
fool Of myself r
In due time the dinner made its appear.
ance, and the captain was invited 70 Tarsakc
Of it.
! Now make yourselfa At home. the widow
said. with charming smile for | look
upon you as one Of the dearest friends
have.
Egad. if she ain't beauty, Uncle
Jerry said to himself. as he drew mp to the
table
The lamb chops were done as the cap
tain had never seen them done before =
juicy, 20 rich, 50 delicafely spiced--and sC
splendidly cooked. And then the pies, and
the cake. and the rich golden coffee. But
above all he was entranced by the bright
smiles and sparkling wit Of his fair hostess
He mutfered, while she was carrying
away the dishes, Amt she charming
Finally the widow came aud SAT down
BY the side Of the captain upon the sofa
Her dimpled checks were all aglow her
bright eyes sparkling with beaming lus
tire and over her white shouldase flowed
a wavy, curling tress, which trembled eyel
and anon, rs though there were some strange
emotion in the bosom beneath Il.
@Now, sir, she said. Il ana ready {,
listen.
@Well-well," Uncle Jerry managed {,
say, after a prodigious effort at clearing hi
throat, '.you must pardon me if com,
right to the point
"0f course
.'Then here it is--you know | promises
.Bil-that is-Bill Gariand-ny old mat,
I-or | should say my young mate-that
would look ont after you-eare for you
you know that
aYes SIR. continued Susan with grate
full look Il know that, and have blessed
you many times for your kindness to pool
me. Alas | don't know what ! shouls
have done but for your generous bounty.
Tut, tut--don't talk 80. How could
help being good to you?'
@Ah, but everybody don't have heart
ike yours
The captain rather liked the eomph
ment and then it came from an agreeable
source, too. So he did not dispute it
But he made another prodigious effort t
clear his throat, and then said
Il have tried to be good to you, Susan
and / hope have been; but can't do al
/ want to do for you at present. | an
coming right to the point now. Anoth
er clearing of the throat '-You know yo
are a widow"
She did know it.
And you know you are yet young am
very beautiful
.l0h, no? not beautiful, she said, an
surely not very young.
But You are not old, and--you ar
beautiful. Now this won't do Scands
will reach YOU, I--ahem-am not so oh
myself but that the shaft of scandal Nigh
reach me too.
aYou old? uttered Susan, looking u
reproyingly and yet admiringly. why
YOU are right in the very prime of man
hood. A man at your age and with You
genial, happy disposition, has just reaehe
! the dawn Of life at FIVE and forty
Uncle Jerry rather liked this, so he di
not contradict as he had at first will to d.
..Then, of course, he returned, applyin
| the compliment to his own purpose, lit
MR. necessary that there should be newC
and neares relation between us. / love yo
too well to havo single breath of suspicio
J rest upon YOU Wsuld you object to sue
a relation?' p
The widows long lashes dropped, an
IL