The Washington critic., 1886-02-02

very much at home, as he held worsted
for Lucy TO wind.
81 managed to get an invitation to
tea. too" laughed Charley. "You
kept 1t pretty sly, but wasn't to be
cheated out of my share of strawberry
preserves"
Then Charley and Lucy looked NJ
each other and laughed. and the farmer
felt his face grow rcd
"Just see what he's brought us.
said the widow, displaying the berries.
'1f you'll help pick 'em, Lucy, wc'll
have a short cake for tea. | remember
how fond you used to be of strawberry
short cake years ago, and the widow
smiled at the farmer till there was u
dimplc in each check. Ter words
brought wildly back to him his
happiest experiences of quarter of q
century previous.
81 remember too, he responded
Then Lucy and her mother went out.
1--WE spoken to her about being one
of the family, and she's willing" said
Charley.
IL don't understand" said the
farmer, in great bcwilderment, growing
hot, then cold.
why, you know what you said the
other night, when you told me you
thought of getting her mother for
housekecper," explained Charley. 81
supposed you understood, from what
you said, that Lucy and intended to
be married. It's all settled
Mr.. Kimball sat speechless. What
he thought of in the next five minutes
could not be described. His brain
worked with speed and intensity to
which II was quite unaccustomed.
Il hope you'll be happy" he
stammered at last, feeling that some.
thing was expected of him, and
amiably dcsirous of maintaining, as far
as he could the genial and happy spirit
Of the occasion.
I'm sure we will, :" said Charley II
hope you will, too"
Pretty soon the widow came in.
"The short cakes baking" she said.
"Lucy said she'd pick the berries and
set the table, and sent me in TO play
lady and entertain the company"
Charley watched his opportunity and
| slipped into the kitchen. The two
more than middleaged people were
sly boy Cupid never had better OPP
portunity given him.
The farmer had made up his mind
again. If he couldn't have Lucy he'd
have her mother, If he could get her.
Come to think 1t all over" he told
himself, chat was the best plan by all
| odds"
He wondered how he could have
been foolish enough to think of marry
ing q girl of twenty one or two. The
idea was ridiculous.
whats the use of waiting ?i
thought he. ut might as well be set
| tied now as any time"
Chester" he began, getting red
again, Charley and Lucy are going to
| get married. Why shouldn't we ~
Mr.. Kimball blurted out the question
with startling emphasis.
"Why, Mr.. Kimball 70 cried the
widow, blushing so rosily that Ii,
thought she was prettier than hci
daughter.
81 came over on purpose to ask you,
he said, telling n most outrageous fib
| 81 hope you haven't any objections.
When Lucy came in, half an houl
later, to say tea was ready, the farmer
rose up, blushing like girl, and jcrket
his thumb toward the widow; ther
said, in voice that shook little
That's your mother, Lucy. ! mean
she's Mrs. Kimball, or going to be. IT.
all settled"
II s'pose may kiss my father
then" said Lucy, and pumped a kis
on the farmers lips, who said sht
might give him another for her father
in-law while she was about it, If she {
no objections. cone will answer fol
both" said Lucy.
Then the farmer gave his arm to thu
woman he had meant to marry tiye-and
twenty years ago, and led her out tC
tea. He has never regretted that mat
tiers turned out rs they did.
Lucy can't be beat for daughter,
he tells himself; "but don't want an,
better wife than her mother makes. -
Philadelphia Call.