The Penn's Grove record., 1885-11-07

Sbb bndb lN6 BOt u uSOmeWucE'
or other. and 80 I'm left out of TIL
race"
"For my part" SAID Mrs. Purday
indignantly, 'I'm 50 far from running
after him, that if he were to come vi
and speak to me 1 don't know that
should answer him."
"And for my part" said Mrs. Burn
ham, II have so little interest ii hin
that 1 wouldn't mind going and 2sak
ing to him myself"
Here she vas interrupted BY 1et tn,
young people of the group brealtkg il
and clamoring for her t. be as Ct < a
her word, and to take to first step to
wards making the strangers acquain
lance. 1t was evident, they said, tina
he wanted to make friends in the vii
lage, and didn't know how To set abou
it.
"Ill go and see him tomorrow NOR
ming she said. ''and present him al
address from the women of Welldean
You're not afraid to trust me then will
the first chance of winning his atfec
tions? You may be sure that l shall
say one word for my friends and tive
for myself"
Meanwhile the object of all this In
terest remained at the White Hart Inn
a subject Of interest and curiosity Il
the landlord and the household. HI
bad been two days at Welldean, and
had spent his time strolling about the
village and the neighborhood, and il
receiving visits from the parson and thu
doctor. lie was q good-looking man
about forty, with bright eyes, a goo(
deal of dark hair, and o face bronZed b.
exposure to tne sun. He lived liber
ally, enjoying the best entertainment
the White Hart could afford. and said
nothing about the charges.
On the third morning after his arri.
val, Mr.. HARDWOOD was baving his
breakfast, when the landlord appeared
as on the previous morning, to inquire
how his guest had slept, and to enjoy a
little more chat with him. MI. Har
wood was very ready to listen to him,
and by this time had got almost all the
names in the village at his fingers end,
so that the landlords tittle-tattle vas a
pleasant accompaniment to his meal.
They discussed chiefly the female
portion of the community, for Mr..
Rawlings knew that his guest had mat.
rlmonial intents, and he felt quite an
aGectionate interest in their result.
Mr.. Rawlings had been reviewing the
points of Ellen Purday and other girls
and unmarried people of the village,
when Mrs. Burnham's name was men,
toned.
"And what should you think Of her
Mr.. Rawlings?r said Mr.. HARDWOOD.
Rawlings paused, looked puzzled and
scratched his ear.
"Whatdo / think of Mr.. Burnham?''
he repeated. "Well, l didn't think at
all about her; 1 should say that she was
older than you'd care for, sir; but il
you do mention her, / can only say,
chat if | was single and wanted a wife,
there's no one on earth I'd rather have
than Mrs. Burnham."
And why SOP" asked Mr.. Harwood.
"Why, sir, every one in Welldean
knows Mrs. Burnham, and / don't
think any n has a word to say against
her; a kinder soul doesn't breathe. 'Tis
a pity she amt in the market, siri5a
"What do you mean?u asked Mr..
Harwood. Didn't you say she was a
wldowp"
"No. SIR, 1 think not" was the re-
ply. didn't | tell you how she was
married at eighteen. and her husband
left her to go soldering, and she's seen
nothing OF him ever SINGER"
"Oh, l remember, said the stranger
,;o;~- crop. tho-fohIa on1 voinn ~ tba
window. Where does she livep"
"Down the wide Lane that turns off
about the middle of the High Street,
replied Rawlings, pointing in the di.
rection, "You can't mistake the house
IT'S a pretty little cottage, about half
way down, all covered with elematis
and honeysuckle."
Presently the landlord hustled away
to attend to his business, and left Mr..
HARDWOOD looking out of the window,
considering what he should do with
himself that day. Shortly, however,
the landlord entered, with a smile and
a look of expectation, to tell him that
Mrs. Burnham was waiting without,
and requested to know if he would see
her.
Mr.. Harwood was greatly surprised
at the information. and in no small de-
gree confused, to the surprise of the
landlord.
Mrs. Burnham entered, with a friend
ly smile Illuminating her pleasant coun-
tenance, and carrying a small basket
neatly covered with a snow white nap
kin.
ST hope you won't think me rude or
presuming, sir" said she; 'but hearing
Of you as a visitor and q stranger in
Welldean, l have taken the liberty of
bringing you a few eggs, and some fruit
out Of my own garden, for they have
rather a good name IN the village.n
ssMr. HARDWOOD, who had now recoy-
cred his composure, thanked her warm.
ly for her attention, and asked her to
be seated.
81 know said he, sthe kindness
and also the hospitality of the people
of Welldean too well, not to accept your
present in the spirit in which it Is Of
fered, Mrs Burnham.
sob, then, you know the Will ger"
said Mrs. Burnham, with anim$tion.
Tray, Sll, ulu }uu oNct hsO II ~
81 passed a short time in it tiany
a ago." he replied; Shut knew
few people here. and / am delighted at
this opportunity of making an acquain.
lance. as l expect my stay will be much
longer this time.n
.sYou'u be looking out for a wife, /
supposedly said Mrs. Durham. blunt
IL; shat is, If you are not already pro-
vided with one.o
The stranger was for a moment rath-
er disconnected by this plain speaking,
and then smiling. said, s'perhaps 50.
Con you assist me in the search, Mrs.
Burnham?n
ITO be sure I CAM said she, vivac-
ioust5. II am the village matchmaker
| know every girl in Welldean, and can
give you a true description OF her char
acter, tempers, and Manners"
"She mustn't be too young. Mrs.
Burnnam," said Mr.. HARDWOOD, again
smiling.
sYou don't want an old maid or a
widow do your" asked Mrs. Bernham
energesically.
"Well, l don't know" said he:"I am
a solitary man who has been knocking