Delta chief., 1883-10-24

said, calmly. "Ihe country girls earn
little pocket money there sewing on
shirts. I am to have machine as soon
as have learned to manage 1t. go
every evening while papa fancies am
at the Greek and Latin, to farmer Pei
hams whose wife teaches me the use Of
the machine. l am learning house
work, too. made the mayonnaise for
your salad to-day, and baked your
bread. Our servant can do nothing OF
the sort But it would kill mamma to
think that had stopped, as she would
call 1t, to menial labor.
"You are quite right" said Mr.. Crof-
ton.
THAT is what I wanted to know"
said Mary, hastily. because, living
here all by myself, in such strange,
unnatural atmosphere, i sometimes get
confused, and scarcely know right from
wrong"
But they will have to know it, when
=,
when really go into the factory"
said Mary. "Yes, know that. But
until then, l would fain spare them the
pang. lam to have dollar day, Mrs.
Pelham says, If operate the machine
skillfully. And dollar day will buy
mamma many little luxury, and go
toward paying the grocer and baker.
"You are a noble girl" said Mr..
Crofton, warmly; and in his eye, at that
moment, Mary Monteagle WAS glorified
with rare beauty. rs she stood there.
the fresh wind blowing her jetty curls
about, the reflection of orange sunset
deepening the color on her cheek, and
the grave. far away sparkle of her eyes
half veiled beneath the long lashes.
And IL could be of any assistance to
you in this task"
You can" said the girl. abruptly.
"You can stay here and amuse papa so
that he shall not suspect what occupies
my time. You can divert his attention
from Sanscrit and Arabic and all these
mysteries.
And for the first time in his expert
ence of her, Mary Monteagle laughed
n mellow, birdlike laugh.
Il will. said Mr.. Crofton. heartily.
And so the compact was sealed be-
tween them.
Instead of the week he had promised
his father 10 spend with old Colonel
Monteaglc, the sojourn was extended TO
three. At the end of that period he
gravcly addressed himself To the dark
eyed daughter Of the house.
"How is trader" said he
II am to have machine next week.
said Mary, with the conscious pride of
one who has conquered fate, land then,
only think of IL. Mr.. Crofton, shall
earn dollar day!'
MARY" said Mr.. Crofton seriously,
II have been thinking of another plan
for you. You tell me this farmers
wife has made first-class housckcepcr
Of you"
II baked nice pies yesterdayw said
Mary. cxultantly: ''and have quilted
quilt and made soft soap, within the
week.
II don't like the idea of your going
into = factory" said Mr.. Crofton.
Suppose now, by way Of variety, you
were to-marry me?n
But you are not in love with MEL
said Mary. opening her bright black
eyes.
"But l am" said Mr.. Crofton, with
great gravity. have deliberately made
up my mind that can't be happy with
out you. And although don't profess
to be a rich man believe can make
you better allowance that six dollars
q week, while at the same time you
will not be compelled to work ten hours
a day for il. That is the business-l;ke
view Of the question. Now to the more
personal one. Don't you think, Mary,
that you could love me? Because |
love you very much indeed
Ill don't know" whispered Mary.
'I might try"
And then she blushed charmipgly.
So Colonel Montcagle's daughter
went to the fair Floridian plantation on
the shores of the river st. John, and
astonished every one with her thorough
knowledge Of house. keeping in all It's
details. And the two old people, with
their burden of insolvency and care
lifted OFF their lives. dwell quietly on,
in the ancient towcr-like house, and
talk to everybody who crosses their
path Of 1.-THE excellent marriage which
my daughter Mary has contracted"
"A thorough scholar says Colonel
Monteagle, with dignity. "a musician.
lihguist, a thorough Hebrew student.
and proficient in Latin and Greek.
myself was her instructor. 1t is not
singular that girl of such intellectual
powers should marry WE'LL"
But Colonel Monteagle, honest man.
never dreamed that 1t was sewing ma
chine and soft soap, the mayonnaise
dressing, and vehement struggle TO get
free from debt. which conquered Mr..
Crofton's heart. There are plenty of
scholars and poetesses in the world;
but real womanly woman-is not her
uris.., far nhpye r,,bipsp