Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1883-08-01

had need 10 marry. I'd choose her."
"Then it's all right, said Mrs. Con-
ner.
"Why, MOTHER" growled Josiah
bashfully, 81 wonder nj YOU. Think Of
me having the impudence TO go over
and offer myself without bit Of court
ing! wouldn't have that thought of
me for any money"
Anyhow, you'd better go over and
have the talk with Hannah" said Mrs.
Conner. "Sho's got good sense, il her
mother hasn't"
tai torture that day and all the long
Sunday, but when, in the evening, a
light was seen to shine in the Barkers'
parlor. he nerved himself for great
effort. He was utterly without vanity.
The idea that Hannah could be pleased
never occurred TO him. TWAS To apollo
gize for seeming bit of impudence,
not TO get out of an unattended offer,
that he was going. His whole thought
was: What can Hannah think of such
a piece of business?'
Ii was a very miserable young man
who sat on the new green rep sofa in
the Bankers parlor at last, waiting for
Hannah's coming.
AT last a step crossed the sill, and he
looked up. Hannah, in n becoming
buff muslin, with an amber comb in her
black hair, stood before him. She
laughed and showed her white teeth.
"How do you do. Josiahp' she said.
'What is this dreadful mistake that ma
HIS been making now? Don't blame
| 4, Lnf 10 fill IL, oil q
il, know. The idea! We might be
cousins, or almost brother and sister.
Oh, what would you have done, Josiah,
il had believed that you come here to-
day to make me an offerp''
Hannah looked very bright and natty.
Her cheeks were pink and her eyes
shone. Afterward her mother said that
Josiah must have been inspired to do
as we'll as he did, but il was very nat
ural sort of inspiration.
What he answered was this, though
he had not been able to think what he
should say as he came along;
II wish to goodness you had believed
it, Hannah, for now shall have to dc
ID all over again, and may be get the
mitten."
''It's almost too dreadful to joke
about, after ALL" said Hannah. ma
will be SO ashamed. | am
I'm not joking n0W. anyhow, said
Josiah. "Hannah Barker, / haven't
Cpiite us much brass and impudence as
your mother thought l had, but l have
enough to get on with, after all. al.
ways have loved you, but 4 never could
see that YOU liked me. Willyouitrytol
viii YOU marry mcp Don't say no.
Hannah, or shall think it Is out Of re-
venge for my mistake"
at was mothers mistake" SAID
Hannah. Don't make one now
Josiah. There ought to be great dea
of love before people marry.
There is on my side, said Josiah
He had risen from the sofa, and theN
stood looking at each other now. They
sat down in two chairs, one on eacl
side of the window. The moon was
rising over the hills. The shaded LAM
was not obtrusive. After while Josial
took Hannah's hand. Then his arm
stole about her waist.
Ii was twelve O'Clock when he go
home, but his mother was sitting up FOL
him. She looked ut him inquiringly "a,
he began to wind the clock furiously
When he had finished he went towaN
the stairs, but half way up paused ,
moment to say:
Mother, l guess you'll have to pu
up with Sarah Smiley for month. L
will take Hannah rs long rs that to ge
ready, she says. suppose she'll wan
to make silk dress and some othel
things"
But from these words it was plain {,
Mrs. Conner that Hannah Barker ha,
really had her offer.-Mary KyLc Dal'ds
in " y Ledger.