The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1886-02-27

he wouldn't. The Sunday Mr.. Morto1
begun to preach, he begun to set on then
steps, an he's set there ever since. in ali
kinds of weather It's wonder it ain,
killed him; but l guess it's made him
tough"
"Why, didn't he feel bad when yor
wouldn't marry himl"
"Feel bad! OF course he did. He tool
on terribly. But it didn't make any differ
ence; he wouldn't give in hair s-breadtb
declare it did seem as if | should die. His
mother felt awfully, too-she's real gooc
woman. l don't know what Marcus would
have done without her. He wants sigh
of tending and waiting on: he's dreadfu
babyish in some ways, though you wouldn't
think it.
"Well, it's all over now, as far as I'm
concerned. I've got over it a good deal
though sometimes It makes me Jest as mad
as ever to see him setting there. But try
to be reconciled and | get along jest as
well, mebbe, as if I'd had him-f don't
know. / fretted more at first than there
was any sense in, and l hope you won't"
Il amt going to fret at all, Miss Barney
may cut bias for a while, but l shan't dc
anything worse"
"How you do talk, childp'
A good deal of it was talk with Marcy
she had not SO much courage as her words
proclaimed. She was capable of a strong
temporary resolution, but of no enduring
one. She gradually weakened as the days
without her lover went on, and one Satur
day night she succumbed entirely. There
was quite rush of business, but through
it all she caught some conversation between
some cuStomers-two pretty, young girls
who was that with you last night al
the concerto"
"That-oh, that was George Elliot
Didn't you know him?''
Hes got another GIRL" thought Marcy
with great throb.
The next Sunday night, coming out Of
meeting with Miss Barney, she left her sud
denly. George Elliott was one of waiting
line of young men in the vestibule. She
went straight up to him. He looked at her
in bewilderrnent, his dark face turning red
Good evening, Miss Wilson, he star
mered out, finally.
Good -evening, - she whispered, and stood
looking up at him piteously. She was white
and trembling.
At last he stepped forward and Offered
her his arm suddenly. In spite of his
shame before all his mates, who were star
ing curiously.
When they were out in the dark, cool
street. he bent over her, "Why, Msrgy,
what does all this mean!'
80, George, let her live with us, please.
I want her to. | know can get along with
her if | try I'll do everything / can.
Please let her live with US"
"Who's her?''
'Your mother:'7
"And l supposemis you and l? 1 thought
that was all over, Marcy; amt it?'
80, George, am sorry | treated you 500
"And are you viking to let mother live
with us now!"
'Tll do anything o, Georger'
Don't cry, Marcy. There nobody IS
looking-give us kiss. It's been a long
time; 'ain't it dear. so you've made up
your mind that you're willing to let mother
live with us!'
Yes
'Well, I don't believe sire ever will,
Marcy. She's about made up her mind to
go and live with my brother Edward,
whether or no. SO you won't be troubled
with her. | dare say she might have been
a little of trial as she grew cider"
You didn't tell me.''
Il thought it was your place to give in,
dear"
Eyes, it was, it was, George.!T
I'm mighty glad you did I tell you
what it is, dear 1 don't know how you've
1hlt, but I've been pretty miserable lately"
Poor George!"
They passed Esther BaIney's, house. and
s5rolled along half mile further. When
they returned, and Marcy stole softly into
tine house and upstairs, it was quite late,
and Esther had gone to bed: Marcy saw
the light was not out in her room, so she
peeped in. She could not wait till morning
t9 tell her.
@Where have you beena said Esther
looking up at her out of her pillows.
20, l went to walk a, little why with
Ci4orge'
oThen you've made upf''
Yes
It's his mother going to live with youl"
mo; | guess not. She's going to live
with Edward. But told himI was willing
she should. I've about made up nay mind
it's a woman's place to give in mostly.
s2pose you think Pm an awful fool.'
NO, don't; no, l don't, Marcy. I'm
neal glad it's al right betwixt. you an
George. I've seen you wern't very happy
lately"
They talked little longer; then Marcy
said Goodnight" going over to Esther
made her generous with it. She looked
down into the older wOmanis, thin, red
checked face sweetly 81 wish you were al
happy as II said she. Il wish you and
Mr., Woodmaa could raake up, too"
That's an entirely different matter.
couldn't give in in such a thing as that"
Marcy locked at her; she was not subtle
but she he'd just come out triumphan
through innocent love and submission, ant
used the wisdom which she had gained
thereby.
Don't you believe,n said she, ''if yor
was to gire in the way 1 did, that h
would!n
Esther started up with aan astonished air
That had never occurred to her before
80, l don't believe he would. You dom
know him. he's awful set. Besides, dom
know but I'm better off the way it is"
In spite of herself, however, she could no
help thinking of Margy's suggestion
Would he give IN? She was hardly dispose,
to ran the risk, With her peculiar cast o
mind, her feeling for the ludicrons so keel
and her sensitiveness to ridicule, it woul
have been easier for her to have married
man under the shadow of crime than on
who was the deserving target of gibes an
jests. Besides, she told herself, it was possi
BILE that he had changed his mind, that b
no longer cared for her. How could SD
make the first overtures! She had nc
Margy's impulsiveness and innocence G
youth to excuse her.
Also, she was partly influenced by tn
reason which she had given Marcy, sh
was not so very sure that it would be bes
for her to take any such step. She wa
more fixed in the peace and pride of he
old maidenhood than she had been in he
young, and more shy of disturbing it. He
comfortable meals, her tidy housekeeping
and her prosperous work had become sue
sources of satisfaction to her that she ws
almost welded to them, and jealous Of an
| interference.
SO it is doubtful if there would have bee
| any change in the state of affairs if Marcl
Woodman's mother had not died towar
spring. Esther was greatly distresse
about it.
81 don't see what Marcus is going to do
| she told Marcy 'He amt any filter