Madison times. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1884-1???, 1886-03-13
BROUGHT TO TERMS.

n UeluBt Vi Sltdiu hlu O ohiOi- oN'ci
of burning sugar greeted the entrance
Of John Kerr into the kitchen on sui
try September afternoon. Jumper, the
watchdog, unheeding his masters greet
ing, bolted through the open doorway
to escape the hot shower of berry juice,
while poor pussy, not so fortunate, was
dancing dainty quickstep to her own
musical accompaniment-suddenly
transformed by hot splashes of fruit in
TO a semblance of her feline cousin, the
leopard. A young girl, flushed and
frantic, was struggling to remove the
kettle of boiling preserves, of which her
brothers strong hand quickly relieved
her.
"Oh john" she exclaimed, with
painting breath. I'm all bubble Just
like the preserves.
Then, catching up the big gray cat,
she began briskly rubbing its bespat-
tered fur.
"When will this COMPOUNDED mess be
over. Jennie? For nearly three weeks
we've been picked. canned and pre-
served, until everything seems to taste
and smell of spice. sugar and vinegar.
Aren't you afraid you have undertaken
too much while mothers away?"
mot at all. I have been very par
ticular TO follow my recipes. Mrs.
Sadie Cooper has given me some useful
hints, and | have little judgment of
nv own. But you have letter; when
will mamma be homer Such long
visit! But what LOT have done since
she went away
Yes" said John, dryly, glancing at
the floor where pussy now sat, LAYING
her wounds with an expression OF mel
ancholy reproach in her large, celestial
looking eyes, then reading from the
letter in his hand:
will reach the city at midnight.
Don't fall to meet me there"
why, that is tonight! Bless her
heart, she's coming at last! But, John.
us such long drive! You will not
are expecting company, you know. this
evening"
1--WE are not expecting company. little
sister. don't think Tom Maxwell
will notice my absence. And l will
stop and get Mrs. Cooper to come over
and stay with you until morning. Her
husband won't mind keeping house one
night alone; so make me cup Of tea,
for must be off,"
.'Oh, dear. l wish could 60, too!
Tell Sadie. she must not fail TO come.
won't stay here without her."
John and Jennie Kerr were the only
children of widow, owning and man.
aging the comfortable dairy farm upon
which they had been born. Mrs. Kerr
had been visiting an only sister, living
In distant city. and during her alb.
sence Jennie had made some wonderful
housekeeping experiments, with view
to entering an establishment of her own
in the near future. But she loves her
happy home, was coy and willful, and
persisted in her refusal to name the
wedding day.
Her lover had grown impatient; to-
night was the anniversary Of their be
trothal, and he had vowed to have il
settled before their engagement entered
the second year.
Jennie had declared that she would
not be badgered into anything-sh'
would die first; and knowing her love-
she felt a strange foreboding for to
night.
John drove off in the old family car
riage, and by the time the untidy kitchen
was carefully put to rights Mrs. Coope
arrived with her baby and her matronl,
dignity. and Jennie felt somewhat reas
sured.
She tied back her yellow curls with
blue ribbon-the color of her shy, droop
ing eyes-and met her lover, who ap
peared promptly at eight, the curves O
her scarlet lips marked by sharp lin
that indicated the firmness of her reso
luton.
Tom Maxwell played with the bah
and kept up light, running converse
ton. until the little one becoming fret
full, Mrs. Cooper. in spite Of Jennie
circumstances, made it an excuse to re
tire.
But her absence did not alter his mar
ner in the least. He chatted away upo
every imaginable subject until the cloc
struck eleven; then, stopping in the mic
die of some gay badinage, he said:
Jennie, il lacks just one hour of mic
night You know my decision. Whe
will you marry mep"
Utter silence followed this question.
II am waiting for your answer" b
said at last.
Il shall not hinder you from waiting.
declared Jennie, ring of war in he