The Warner sun. (Warner, Brown Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1885-1???, 1886-07-23
He couldn't muster up courage es

is lt?'' laughed Charley. "1'm glad to
hear it, You couldn't do better"
"I'm glad to hear you say So" said
Mr.. Kimball, much relieved. ~ felt
sure you'd like to have Lucy as--a
member of the family"
"I haven't any objections, if she
hasn't"
$50 that's over" said the farmer,
as Charley strolled down the road in
the early evening. 81 wonder he never
took a fancy to her. / s'pose folks'll
say I'm an old fool, but / don't care. 1"
While he sat there Charley was tell
ing Lucy that his father had keeneI
eyes than he had given him credit for,
for he seemed to understand how mat
ters stood perfectly. And what he
told her after that is none of your
business or mine; though will say it
had nothing to do with Lucy's be-
coming lone of the family"
About four o'clock Saturday after.
noon, Mr.. Kimball, in his best coat,
and with pail of Strawberries on his
arm, knocked at Mrs. Keene's door.
Good afternoon" said the widow,
as she let him in, with acharming sus.
picion of blush in her face.
"Here is some berries" said he,
awkwardly presenting his Offering.
Lucy said the hens had played the
mischief with yours. and as / have
plenty, why you may just as well as
not have as many of'em as you need"
"Pm thousand times obliged to
you"
By that time the farmer had got to
the sitting-room door. Who should
he see there but Charley, seemingly
very much at home, as he held wosted
for Lucy to wind.
81 managed to get an invitation to
tea, too," laughed Charley. "You
kept it very sly, but wasn't to be
cheated out of my share of strawber-
| ry preserves"
Then Charley and Lucy looked at
each other and laughed, and the farm
er felt his face grow red.
"Just see what he's brought us"
said the widow displaying the berries.
eff you'll help pick 'em, Lucy, we'll
have shortcake for tea. remem-
ber how fond you used to be of straw
berry shortcake years ago." and the
widow smiled at the farmer till there
was dimplein each cheek. Her words
| brought vividly back to him his hap
piest experiences of quarter of a Gen.
tury previous.
''I remember, too," he responded.
Then Lucy and her mother went out.
"Tve spoken to her about being one
of the family, and she's willing" said
Charley.
"Idon't understand, said the farm
er, in great bewilderment, growing hot
then cold.
"Why, you know what you said the
other night, when you told me you
thought of getting her mother for
housekeeper," explained Charley. II
supposed you understood, from what
you said, that Lucy and were 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 it was quite unaccustomed.
oil Aopeyou'll be happy" he stam-
mered at last, feeling that something
was expected OF him, and amiably
desirous of maintaining, as far as he
could, the genial and happy spirit of
the occasion.
"Pm sure we will" said Charley.
81 hope you will, too" /"
Pretty soon the widow came in.
The shortcake's baking" she said.
'sLucy 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 Uile kitchen. The two
more than middle aged people were
thus left to entertain each other. The
sly boy Cupid never had a better OPP
portunity given him.
The farmer had made up his mind
again. II he couldn't have Lucy, he'd
have her mother, If he could get her.
"Come to think it all over" hs told
himself, ssthat was the best plan by
all odds"
been foolish enough to think ofmarry-
| ing girl Of twentyo one or two. The
idea was ridiculous.
whats the use Of waiting2"
| thought he ut might as well be set
tied now as any time"
Hester he began, getting red
again, Charley and Lucy aregoing to
get married. Why shouldn't we?"
Mr.. Kimball blurted out the ques-
| ton with startling emphases.
ssWhy, Mr.. Kinballl'' cried the wild
ow, bIushing SO rosily that he thought
her prettier than her daughter.
II came over on purpose to ask
| you, he said, telling most outra-
geous fib. II hope you havn't any
1 objection"
| When Lucy came in half an hour
later to say tea Was ready, the farmer
rose up blushing like girl, and jerked
/ LA khl11x. u fnutnrd fha ,arindorr thor,