Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1885-05-28

that, rs a natural consequence OF par
ties, companies, evening concerts and
summer picnIcs And somehow a des.
olate chill crept down my veins as l
thought how lonesome and dreary the
old house would seem without Mag
gle.
"What makes you think so. Han
nah ?" asked rather dolorously, and
the old woman lowered her voice mys.
teriously as she answered.
"lt's that Mr.. Carlisle-he keeps
coming all the time. and it's my honest
belief he just worships the ground my
young lady walks on. He Is very hand.
some, too, and folks tell me he's worth
money!"
Mr.. Carlisle Well, old Hannah
was right. He was fine looking fell
low, and well-t do in this worlds
goods but-who was there, after all,
worthy of my tall, golden-haired prin-
cess with dewy blue eyes and lips like
scarlet coral newly plucked out OF the
sea ? Why couldn't Carlisle 60 off and
marry one of the wise Miss Simpkinses,
whose mother was on the lookout for
husbands as an ogress whatches fol- eat
able young travellers ? began to hate
Carlisle.
"Pooh 70 said !, upsetting my waste =
basket of papers over the floor with an
unwary fling Of my feet. 81 don't
think she cares for Carlisle"
"Just you watch her. then, and SEE
for YOURSELF" said old Hannah, wisely
wagging her cap border. 81 never did
set up for prophet, Mr.. Pelham, but
them as isn't blind can't help seeing,
and our eyes is given to Us to use."
So old Hannah went her way ,leaying
me about as uncomfortable as o man
has any business to be. My Maggie to
be married ! My pretty blossom to be
plucked just as soon as 1t began to shed
fragrance round my door-stone. I felt
as a monarch may whose domains are
invaded by an audacious foe. Should
write Carlisle note and tell him to 60
about his business, or should l simply
convey to him by my manners the hint
that his presence was no longer speci-
ally desirable, or-but old Hannah's
words Iecurred uncomfortably to my
mind-should first find out whether
Maggie really did care for the young
up-start
NV head dropped on my hands-my
heart sunk somewhere below zero at
the idea I wondered if all fathers
felt so whe1 gay young cavaliers came
wooing at their gates And, after
all, Maggie wasn't my real child, dear
ly as loved and tenderly as had
cherished her.
I think 1 hardly slept all that night.
I tossed to and fro on my pillow. count
ing tbs chimes of the old clock, as one
by one it told the hours. thinking about
Maggie and Carlisle. and wondering IL
the tardy daybreak would never redden
over the hill tops.
By that time my mind was made up.
would repress oil these selfish ideas
and only thinA of my giil's ultimate
happiness. II she liked Carlisle, why
Carlisle should have her.
rose, dressed and went down to my
study. The first thing I saw was
note lying on my library table. Prob.
ably it had arrived late last night.
broke the seal it was from George
Carlisle. asking permission to address
Miss Magdalen Pelham.
Well-it was nothing more than 1
had expected-in fact, 1t rather exped-
tied matters, which ought not to run
too slowly. 1 refolded the epistle. and
looked severely at myself in the oppo-
site glass.
"You middle-aged old togy." quoth
I, staring at myself with the seyerest
expression of countenance could call
up at so short a notice, IL see through
you. You tave dared to suppose
bright eyed Magdalen could prefer you
to these gay young fellows nearer her
own age-you have even presumed to
fall little spice in love with her your
self. It will do you good to have some
of the nonsense taken out of you. At
your time of life too Did you ever
see chestnut tree blossoming in No
yember or a grape vine loaded with blue
fruit at mid-winter ?'
So off I trudged into the garden
where Magdalen always walked in the
early morning to tell her Of young Car
isles proposal.
She listened, looking very pretty and
preoccupied, until I had finished.
swell ?" said she.
swell ?" l quoth, "what do you
say ?"
"what do 1 say ? No, of course ~
"You mean yes, my DEAR" said I,
''if you'll only take time to think"