San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1883-04-19

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course of the day, to fill the wood'coS
and chip.basket, or get a drink with
the long handled gourd, that hung
inst over the cedar-wood bucket on
the kitchen table. 49,.
And, somehow or other, Eustachia s
cheeks had acquired chronic habit
of blushing on the most singular oc-
casions. The sound of a quick foot,
step outside the door, ora gaily- whistled
time from the cornfield or barnyard,
would set them to glowing under the
dropping lashes like whole garden
bed Of carnation pink''
"EustachiaI"
Mrs. Snapwell shook out the floun;
ces of her new dress, as she opened
the door of the kitchen, where her
niece was washing up the dinner
dishes.
I'm a-goin' ovor to Miss Deacon
Marioram's'' she continued, with q
sharp glance at Eustachia's suspicious
" rosy cheeks. "And if Mr.. Flower
dale should come while I'm gone,
show him into the best room, and
run over after me Immediately. Do
YOU hear? And don't you be a-trying
to get your cap at him, for he's q we'll
TODD man, and wouldn't even look
at poor girl like you. Your cheeks
hev got so blowsy of late, you look
life fright, anyhow.
The tears sprang to Eustachia's
eyes, but she turned to her work,
while her aunt founced out of the
house, snappishly clicking the gate
latch as she passed through.
But if the widow considered Eu-
stachia a fright, Sy Hedges thought the
rosy, dimpled cheek and fax.gold hair
the prettiest in the wide world
"And so your boarder hain't come
yet?" said Mrs. Deacon Marjoram, as
the ladies sat sewing in the cosy par
lor. mo, but he paid handsome for
his room, and I'm expectin' OF him
all the time" said the widow, biting
off her thread, so that it would go
through the needle.
ooh, aunt" cried Eustachia, burst
ing into the room, flushed and breath
less. "He-he's comet"
Dear me! I must go then, and
with hastv excuses the widow quickly
donned her wraps and hurried of.
what does he look like?" she de-
manded of her nice, as they fastened
on. as he nice looking?"
81 think he is" said Eustachia,
eagerly. "He-he looks like Sy!"
Like Sy," shifted the widow scorn-
fully. "The idea of comparin rich
man like him to hired hand! you go
into the kitchen and git supper as
soon as you KIM" she ordered, as
they reached the house.
And changing her frown for bland
smile, she entered the best room.
A tall figure reclined in an easy
chair, with a book in his hand. The
widow stared, then frowned.
"Sy Hedges, what do you mean by
a settin' in here?" she demanded,
wrathfully. You'll git your walkin'
papers this. very night, fur a lazy
scamp? And where's Mr.. Flowerdale,
| want to know!"
"At your service, madam, returned
sly, politely rising. my name is
Flowerdale. "
"But-but what" stammered the
widow.
"Ihad afancy to make the acquain-
lance of myneighbors as poor man,
explained sly, land [ am not sorry for
the experiment.
1t was sore trial for Mrs. Snap
we'll to see her cherished air castle
tumble in ruins at her feet, but she
had to put up with it.
And Eustachia found that Provl-
dence had not intended her for an
old maid, after all, for she was mar
ried to Mr.. Flowerdale before the
month was out, and went to live on
the old Buttonwood Place.-Sumpter
Republican.