The San Antonio light. (San Antonio, Tex.) 1883-1886, 1883-04-07
jamie.

yetP eyes, John" jamie answered.
And looked after the calves and turned the
cheese, and aired the feather beds, and cleaned
the cellar and sorted the russell apples? ?"
ayes, Cousin John"
"Ah," said Squire Marden, "ips heavy
responsibility to put on one person all these
heavy duties, jamie, eh ?"
81 hope do everything to please you,
John" faltered the quiet girl, who was pick
ing over beans in huge four-quart pan.
"Yes, Janie-yes, I've no cause to COM
plain" said the Squire thoughtiully, feeling
OF his handsome, smoo,h-shaven chin, as he
sat looking at the slender pretty girl.
jamie Lee, conscious that his eyes we're on
her, changed from pink to pale, and then
back again, and worked more steadiastly than
ever.
'Janie," said the Squire, suddenly, "I've
something to say to you; and there's no use
in putting it Of"
jamie glanced up, more agitated than ever.
I'm thinking OF marrying again said the
Squire, abruptly"
jamie tried to say "are you ?'' but her
little huttering shy thing--at that moment
food of Undesirable happiness seemed to
overflow her soul. Ever since her cousin
MRS. Marden) had died. four years ago, and
she girl Of 10, had taken the helm of house
keeping in her strong young hands she had
been learning to worship the stately, hand
some, nobe-natured Squire. Nothing was
too much for her when it was done for him.
Full of Carlyle's Hero Worship" jamie
Lee could have written half dozen volumes
on the subject, and taken Squire John Mar
den for the central point Of every one of them.
Now and then spurred by a kindly
word, a gentle tone, she had ven
tured to hope she knew not what. Oftener
still she had fallen into the deeps of despon-
dency-untl at last she had resolved to spend
her quiet and uneventful life in Squire Mar
deH's service, whether or not her efforts were
rewarded by the guerdon she so much
craved.
But now-now that he looked at her with
those kindly-pleasant eyes-now that he spoke
of marrying again"-her heart leaped high in
her bosom. Were those long years of con-
scientious toll appreciated at last? Was he,
indeed, about to ask her to be his wife!
MARY again." the squire repeated slowly.
"You wouldn't object, Ell Janie?"
a." she faltered.
"Your position, you see would remain Just
the same" said he. Matilda is perfect
child about the cares of housekeeping, and
will, doubt not, be pleased to retain you
here as her rig hit 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 summer at Mrs.
Waller s-the handsome dark-eyed Di Vernon
of a girl, who had made fun of farms and
farmer-avowed her ignorance of all domestic
details as II II were merit and dwRddled
away her time in croquet lawn tennis and
novel-reading. Matilda, who dressed in the
extreme of fashion, with friz,ed hair, stilt-
heeled boots, pull-back dresses, elbow sleeves
and long-wrinkled wris,ed kid gloves-who
declared life wasn't worth having without
archery parties, charades and chocolate cara
mels. The last person in the world whom one
could have imagined John Marden to fancy.
Don't fret, JAMIE" said the Squire kind
ly. "Your home is here always, wife or no
wife. | haven't forgotten all you were to poor
Mary before she died"
The touch OF his hand upon her dropping
head seemed to loose the fountain of her
Tears, and hinging away her work jamie
darted, sobbing, from the room.
Squire Marden looked after her, 10 slow
scarcely comprehending surprise.
Of all enigmas," he said aloud, wome n
are the least comprehensive One would
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 cali him to tea Jamie
Lee was quite calm and composed again--a
little pale, perhaps, but otherwise entirely
herself. "Mr. Marden," she said with down
cast eyes, 81 am sorry behaved so foolishly
this afternoon; but | was so taken by sur
prise. | L am sure | hope you will be
happy ~
''Vou are always a kind little darling"
said Mr.. Marden with smile, "and | SIN
IRE YOU and Tillie will get along nicely"
jamie did not reply; but after the housework
WAS all done that evening and she was in her
own room she set herself diligently TO work