The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1886-11-30

hat, and killed the canary, and KEEP
us all awake nights, shrieking "IIov
dye do! how dye do?"
! And, thus mcditating, Narciss,
shrank behind the clematis vines
that make curtain of natural greer
across the easement.
Hush! those were surely the so
norous tones Of the Squire himself
| II s'posc, Hail." said he with {
chuckle, you consider me too ole
for that sort o thing"
well, don't know" the farmer
replied. TASTES differ"
| "But eff I've took fancy to thu
little thing"
Alum. said Mr.. Hall, doubtful,
ly.
"And I'll give her a good home
every bit as good as she has
here"
4 never doubted that, Mr.. Silber.
"I'll go bail she'll be happy with
me-"
"Shc ought to be happy with you
-sartin, Squire"
Come" said Silbcr. insinuating-
ly. lis it bargain?"
IL can't take it on me to decide" /"
said Mr.. Hall, meditatingly. "You
must ask Narcissa yourself"
But you don't think she'll OBJ
jcct.'
II don't know" said Mr.. Hall,
shaking his head. "Girls are queer.
There's no telling which way they'll
jump. You ask her yourself, ! say"
But Narcissa did not wait for the
sequel of the strange discussion
Her checks blazed crimson, her eyes
sparkled like jet stars as she caught
her pink gingham sun-bonnet off its
nail behind the kitchen door, and
leaving the jars of garnet-colorcd
sweetness on the table, sped away
over the daisy-spangled fields to a
certain upland meadow where Wal
ter Milliman was Harvesting the old
horses to glittcring moving ma
chine
"Narcissar' he cried, whats the
matter? What has happencdY'
She caught ncrvously at his arm,
"Oh, Walter, l am so frightened"
she said. "I-I don't know what it
all means. / don't know what /
ought to dor'
He hung the bride over an old
stump, and led Narcissa into the
shadow of an umbrella-like oak that
grew near the stone fence.
Tell me all about it,. said he.
1t was strange how each had set
tied into his and her relative posi-
tion-Narcissa clinging, trusting,
hiding herself, as it were, under the
egis Of his protection. Walter calm
ly superior in the midst of his ten
der solicitude.
"Why, child" said he, ''the old
idiot wants to-marry your
Narcissa crimsoned to the very
roots OF her hair.
Il thought So" she whispered
II was almost certain of it. But
but what am to do?"
He took both her little hands in
his.
don't he frightened, Narcissa,
said he. "You can not marry two
people at once, can you"
"No-at least, suppose not
And you're engaged to me, aren't
your
"If you say so, Walter" hanging
down her head.
II do say so, Narcissa. And now
let me take you home. Well see
whether old Silber is to have every
thing his own way or not"
"But the horses, Walter?"
They'll stay here contentedly
enough, until l come back, pet
never fear. oh, by-thc-way, Mar
cissa, Nittle Dorctte is in the bss-
ket under the hedge. haven't Civ
en- her to Alice Jeffreys yet
"Oh, Walter, do get herr whis-
pered Narcissa. "The little, white,
fluffy darling! I've been thinking
Of her ever since--cver since you
went away. And, Walter" (ner-
vously playing with the button of
his coat, Il told you horrid story
about the parrot. couldn't endure
the screeching thing, and Billy
johnson took it away three days
ago"
"Narcissa, you arc the dearest lit
tie girl in the worldr' cried the en-
rapturcd lover.
mo, / am not" confessed the fair
penitent. Il am cross, deceitful,
treacherous-"
But here the catalogue of sins
was cut short with absorbing kisses.
Squire Silber, a rubicund and
.portly gentleman, we'll on in the
forties, sat on the porch tanning
himself and waiting. while Mr.. Hall
pcered restlessly up and down the
road.
"Here she is now" said Hall, with
long sigh of relief, as his daugh-
ter came up, with Mr.. Milliman car
rying her pink sunbonnet as rever-
emily asif it were a queens crown.
"Narcissa, here's Squire Silber wait
ing to speak to YOU
"Miss Narcissa--" ingratiatingly
commenced the stout gentleman.
ats of no use," said Narcissa.
putting both hands to her little pink
ears. Il never, never will CONSENT
"Yes; but won't you hear me, Miss
Mar"
mo, no, now and Narcissa stamp
ed her foot with renewed emphasis.
"Hear reason, daughter urged
the farmer-"hear reason!r'