Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1883-06-21

still sat arranging ferns around the
ribbon of her hat.
There's no use trying to run
away" thought she. 81 may as well
stay where am. And after all, why
should l be afraid of Mr.. Barthorne?"
Mr.. BARITONE checked his rein as he
saw the pretty young school teacher
there under the cedar. He nodded
pleasantly.
Fine day. Miss Alice" said he,
wiping his brow with the identical
yellow six pocket handkerchief which
had but now served as duster for his
boots.
YES" said Alice, standing like
some fair wood nymph beside the
spring. please, Mr.. Barthorne, what
did she say?"
What did who say?" said the mid
dle-aged gentleman, turning scarlet.
Miss Negley. Don't think me in.
trusive," she added: "but | know all
about it,"
"The deuce you do" said Mr.. Bar
thorne. why. she wouldn't let me
get in word edgewise-that's what
she said. Perhaps, however, I've had
Il lucky escaper'
But you must own that it is hard"
said Alice, earnestly.
"Hard?" echoed Mr.. Barthorne. 81
should have supposed it would have
suited her exactly! But" new idea
bursting athwart his brain, there's as
good fish in the sea as ever were caught
out of it! Miss Alice, what would
you say if | were to ask you to be my
wife,"
Alice Hopkins looked at him in
amazement.
81, Mr.. Barthornel" she exclaimed.
"You are young enough to be my
daughter, sure enough" SAID the
worthy man, not without some bitter.
ness. "But I'm not SO very old, either,
and I've good home to offer any
woman who will take pity upon my
loneliness"
Loneliness ?"
Alice looked at Mr.. Barthorne in
surprise. 1t had never occurred to
her little innocent heart that Mr.. Bar.
thorne. in the big white house, with
carriage, could ever be lonely. And
perhaps there was something in the
dewy brightness of her eyes, as she
raised them to Mr.. Barthorne's face,
that emboldened him to plead his
cause with more energy.
II should love you very dearly,
Alice" he said. with tremble in his
voice. II would be very good to you
Won't you answer me, Alice?"
Her head dropped; there was an in.
slant of silence, and then she said in
low tone;
"Yes, Mr. .Barthorne, I'll marry you.'
He bent and kissed her forehead.
you'll not regret it, my lass" said
he. "And you're the very girl would
have picked out of a thousand. I'm
glad, now, that Miss Negley wouldn't
listen to me-"
Alice started.
ooh, Mr. Barthorne," said she, "was
that your errand?"
"Of course it was" said Barthorne
"Dr. Smiley said she was the very
woman l needed to regulate my house
hold. But the moment hinted at the
subject, she as good as ordered me of
the premises. Not that I'm sorry fol
it. She has face like man, and
figure like Prussian grenadierl'
Alice broke out laughing. She
could fancy exactly how Miss Negley
had looked. There was comfort in the
reflection that Miss Negley would
never lecture her more.
Miss Negley battled with the com.
mittee next day, but in vain. The
ruthless trustees reduced her salary one
half, and when it transpired, in some
unaccountable way, that she had
actually refused Mr.. Barthorne with.
out being asked) she felt that life was
indeed failure. And the arrival OF
Alice Hopkins wedding-cards did not
better matters.
"Oh, dear, oh, dearl" she said, 81
spoke too soon. Why didn't | wait tc
hear what Mr.. Barthorne had to say
before l answered in such hurry
My tongue always was my besetting
faultp