The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1886-04-15
The WIDOW BURReLL'S MATAl'
MONIAL PLANS.
by MISS H. MARIA GEORGE.

"rm sure, Carrie, l don't know what
better You could do" said the Widow Dur
rell, with sigh. as she stood in the smoke
house." or summer kitchen. one May morn
ing, With her sleeves rolled up, doing the
semi-weekly churning; "and he's a good
match enough for any girl in town."
But, mother" said Carrie, throwing her
sun bonnet on a chair and proceeding to
wash the green's she had Just picked, chow
am l to know what his intentions are? He
may not want TO marry ut all"
"The2e. that's like you, Cad Durrell. "
groaned the widow. Not know what his
intentions are, and he's been coming here
off and on these six months. Of course,
Tom is anxious 10 marry. He's got large
farm, and amt that kind of fellow to fool
round as some | have known"
"That may be, mother; but, supposing
Tom Stapleton don't care anything about
me, but does care for somebody else"
Mrs. Durrell stopped kneading the golden
mass of butter. and looked her Youngest
daughter keenly in the face. All of the
widow girls and there were four sisters, We're
allowed to be comedy maidens, but Carrie
that respect, recalling Byron's description
of Dudu
Large, laIguid and lazy
And of beauty that would drive you crazy"
She was tall and plump of form, with a
velvet complexioned face, soft, dreamy
blue eyes, tipped up, wicked little chin,
hps just made to be kissed, and swath of
bronZy hair with sunlight shining in every
fold and ripple. "Lauguid and lazy" she
undeniably was-no vulgar haste about her.
Her brisk, energetic mother had been heard
more than once to wish that wasp would
sting Carrie; just 10 see if she could get
around any faster. A wasp never did sting
Carrie, and she never got around any
faster.
"Who should he care for if it isn't YOU.
I'd like to know, Cad Durrell?" calculated
the widow, after a sharp glance. IF you
want so MORALLY slow you might have been
settled before this time, same as Phoebe and
Sally Ann. But la! you'll grow gray first. "
A ripple'of silvery laughter issued from
the sweet red lips, and the bronzed head
wastossed alOft In pretty scorn.
"Wby, mother Dmrell, you certainly
don't wish me TO marry n man who doesn't
want me! think its Lu that Toms after
only he doesn't dare speak out"
'Lu shant marry him. I'll be bound, :"
.cred her mother holly. you know that
all along I've planned for her to be Squire
Raynor's wife. She isn't strong enough to
do the drudgery of a farm"
Dub she > bOl IdCullN, you We ulNuNS SulU
that" said Carrie. with n peculiar smile.
",Yes, she's got faculty, which you hain't, y"
declared the widow, emphatically. Her
bread never burns and her creams sure to
come butter. You never did have luck
about such things"
OF all human Affections, n daughter who
seemed to be created without the boon of
faculty" was the severest TO driving
Neg England housewife like Mrs Polly
Drfrell
4 slim, gypsy looking girl, with great
dark eyes like sloes, and wearing crimson
shawl coquettishly over her black hair, en-
tered the kitchen at that instant,
Mother, Squire Raynor's asked me, and
i am going"
Mrs. Durrell looked up eagerly and a
warm flush crept into her matronly face.
"Of course you accepted him." she ex-
claimed.
"Oh, / don't mean that he has popped
the question" said the Girl, looking down
with pretty flush. why. mother, how
You have upset me. As if he could ever
care anything for me. He's only asked me
to teach the summer term of school, DO
you think CAM"
"Of course you'll take it." cried the
widow. why, it's just the chance you
need above all others, and, In, if you are
. smart YOU can De mistress or kaynOr
Hall before Christmas"
Lu blushed holly and dropped her scarlet
face, while she gave her shoulders very
slight upward motion. She would have
cared moro for look from certain pair
of eyes than for all Squire Raynor's
wealth, his big house, conservatories, and
all; but she did not care TO tell her moth
or Sc.
81 think I will Try the school Mt any rate, "
she. said, after q pause, very thoughtfully.
Otis eighteen dollars month and board,
md can wink the distance from here easily
enough" And without waiting to hear her
mothers answer she tripped away merrily
humming AUD Lang Syne.'
"Don't you see how luck favors Lu2" said
the widow. "She will win the Squire, and
don't know of anybody else who'd make
him happier or n more careful housekeep-
er. Two always said she was cut out for a
lady. Now, Cad, if you will bring Staple
ton to terms, / can go down to my grave
feeling easy, as knowing that you are all
settled"
"Oh, mother, you mustn't say anything
about dying yet awhile cried Carrie,
affectionately. And am sure you need net