The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1884-09-18
NANCY'S DEVICE.

A daintily shaped 'littlc head, over
running with curls," enshrouding
fqir, winsome face of perfect ovaL that
s%med made for smiles and laughter
only, and generally fulfilled the expec-
tations it aroused; but on the present
occasion it must Do confessed that tho
prevailing expression of Hetty Blake's
features was very cross indeed, as she
sat in the wide window sill, swinging
her pretty little feet and pouting a pair
of eXquisitcly- scarlet lips, as
she plated and unplaitcd the strings of
her broad-rimmed gipsy hat.
81 don't care" said Miss Hetty. 81
don't love Mr.. Meredith! And l don't
want to marry him. SO there now.n
And she nibbled at the hat strings
and frowned under her level brown
brows, like o pretty rebel as she was.
''Hetty. hold your tongue" said La
vinia, her elder sister.
"You don't know what you're talk
ing . bout" severely uttered Mrs.
Blak, who was mixing up q batch of
bread. 1T the kitchen table. "Mr. Nler-
edith has house and farm worth ten
thousands pounds. And it's q great
compliment for him to speak to your
father about marrying YOU"
''Then 1 wish he'd keep his compli-
ments to himself" said the incorrigiblc
Hetty. ''Look here, Lavinia, why
won't you marry himp"
Lavinia, overcome with Indignation,
dealt her roguish little sister Il box on
the ear, which Hetty narrowly escaped
by sudden depression of her head.
'.No, but it would suit so exactly"
said Hetty. 'Lavinia is just that sort
of person?'
stHetty, don't be q fool!' said Mrs
Blake. You should thank Providence
that Mr.. Meredith is pleased to marry
you, aud put all nonsensical ideas
about Harry Waite out of your head at
oncc!"
But Hctty frowned and pouted more
and more, and tried resolutely to keep
the big, bright tears from falling on
her hands.
''What shall 1 doP" said Hctty to
herself. "For l never, never can mar
ry that bald-headed old man who talks
through his nose and carries Il yellow
silk pocket-handkerchief! And I'm
sure Harry would shoot himself when
he heard of itn'
But all Hetty Blake's tears and lam
cntations availed nothing. Her father
was practical man of the world. Her
mother understood the full meaning of
hurried c'f, regardless of the feelings
of the brtle-elcct.
But Providence interfered- kind
Z ly Providence which has the interests of
tire lovers ever under its care.
Mr.. and Mrs. Blake had gone to at
tend II caapel meeting twenty miles
away, M'tu LaVinia in their train.
Hetty, being ''unregcneratc," was
left at home to mediate over volume
of sermons.
'Now be sure, Hctty, you look well
after the house." said Mrs. Blake;
land see that Nancy foods the young
calves regularly, and cares for the Cos
lings and the chickens. And lock I'D
the house at ten o'clock every night.
and be sure you don't let in any tramps
nor peddlers."
'Tll be very careful" said Hetty.
ave shall be back on Friday" said
Mrs. Blake, ''without fail; and if you
have any leisure time you can turn the
sheets in the wash-baskct, and darn tho
thin places In the back-parlor carpet,
and do any other useful odd jobs about
the house"
So Mrs. Blake climbed into tho cart,
where her husband and Lavinia were
already seated, and drove away, call
1hS ouV CIblOIo W l1CbUy as lOug uS
the house was in sight.
The heads of tho family had not been
gone for more than two hours, whom
Hotty came flying out to tho kitchen,
where Nancy was making softsoap.
"Oh, Nancy, what shall | dor"
cried She. "Herc's Mr.. Meredith, get
ting out of q one-horse chaisc at tho
door"
"Why, go up and SEQ him of course"
said Nancy, who was ono of tho old
family servants, who are becoming, as
n race, extinct in England.
Cant / tell him that father and
mother are gone awayP" pleaded Hctty.
"Nonsenscm said Nancy, stirring
desperately away at her monster kot-
Tie. You don't suppose it's your
father and mother that ho comes to see,
DO your Oh, dear; and there isn't
scrap of fresh meat in the house. [
thought boiled eggs and cold ham
would do for our noon bite"
$50 it will, " said Hetty. "If we make
Ghlngs TOO agreeable for him, Nancy,
ho'll stay too long" - ~"
Nancy looked round in amazemont
tAnd don't you want him to staVP';
said she. ....- y,
"No!' cried Miss Hettv with
oI"L OlOA 1OOh, us SOulO unseen um Drella-
handle raped smartly on the door be.
yond. Il can't endure him, Nancy.
II hate himF%
And then she burst into storm Of
tears.
Nancy comprehended in an instant
poor dear!'' said she. $50 that's
the way tho wind blows, is itP 1t is a
shame! Never mind, Miss Hetty; we'll
settle him."
girl -.
"Hushr' said brisk Nancy. "Go and
let him in. know the man. MY cou-
SIM Mary Ann Potts, lived as house
keeper to him for q year. Hos ono of
those people that want everything to 90
smooth. Mover would let lIarY Ann
Whitewash a ceiling or scrub off floor
sgith sand and soapsuds. And of all