Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1883-07-04
the hayward girl, who perhaps after all
was only flirting with Fay. He found
H. L., 9~~ IL

the Maynard e1rl, VINO perhaps after all
was only flirting with Fay. He found
his landlady seated at the dining.room
window pensively darning stocking,
"Miss Carson" he said, drawing q
chair to her side, 81 want to speak to
you about something that has lain on my
heart for the last four months"
Miss Carson's hands trembled so much
that she could scarcely hold the darn.
ing-needle.
"You are shrewd woman" he re-
sumed. "You cannot be blind as to the
object Of my attention to your niece"
She tried to speak, but the words died
in her throat. She made an effort to
thread her needle. Anxious to engage
her whole attention, Mr.. Hall took her
hand and uttered sharp exclamation as
the needle pierced his thumb.
"Flo suspected this whispered Miss
Carson.
cha! She did? What did she say ?"
"Oh, she liked you very much then,
but lately"
lob, I know have been a fool, but
with your consent I shall vet be the
happiest man in Chicago"
''And am the happ1est woman" she
murmured, ooh, Mr.. Hall, or Jacob,
I suppose ought to call you now, /
shall do all in my power to make good
| wife,"
In her agitation she covered her face
with the stocking she had been darning
and wept. There was an awful silence.
Mr.. Halls tongue was paralyzed. Was
this an awful dream? Or was he going
mad?
''You must excuse me-" said Miss
Carson, wiping her eyes. *But the
news OF Flo's engagement and every
thing connected with it rather upset me
to begin with, and this coming, too, was
too much"
'Flo's engagement!' said Mr.. Hall,
in voice 60 hollow that it startled him.
Yes, they have been engaged ever
since the night you saw them in tho
parlor, but Flo would not tell me be.
cause she says was unjust to Mr.. Fay.
There has been quite change in Mr..
Fay's affairs. He was quite poor and
was obliged to send part OF what mon
ey he made to support his widowed
mother. The same day that he propos-
ed to Flo he had received letter sta
ting that fortune had been left him by
an uncle in Philadelphia.
Mr.. Hall waited to hear no more. He
seized his hat and rushed from the
house. His tenant was waiting at the
Office to see him. "You intimated that
you wanted the house, Mr.. Hall. bat I
called for definite answer before
81 don't want the house. I am 60
ing to leave Chicago. Ill make out
lease for five years if you like. Call this
afternoon.
Left alone he buried his face in his
hands and reflected deeply. Whether he
wished it or not, he was engaged to Miss
Carson. He tried to remember Just what
be mad said, but could not recall his
words. Possibly in his confusion he
had proposed. Well, she was a good
woman, and might make better wife
than her niece. he remembered how
kindly she had nursed him through the
rheumatism two years ago. Yes, it was
all for the best. He went to one of the
large stores on State Street and bought
a handsome piece of velvet for dress.
"She shall have pair of diamonds to
wear with it, he said, with chuckle.
His tenant called in the afternoon, Mr..
Hall told him that he had again changed
his mind. The tenant left, deeply dis
gusted.
Elizabeth, I really meant what said
this morning." he said, as he laid his
presents in her lap.
'Do You suppose that doubted it,
Jacob ?"
"No, 10; Of course not. Hero comes
Flo. Give kiss to your uncle that is
to be, and forgive me for meddling with
your affairs. You see was so devoted
to your aunt that L"
II understand" replied Flo, with
r0nuish smile