Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1886-06-26

20 my knowledge"
"Meddlel Certainly not. Should I not
know2"
"Unless," continued Mr.. S%trangfeld, "she
fallen into that state against which the
Apostle warned the Corinthian damsels, put
ting it in this way-that the unmarried
woman careth for the things of the Lord;
which was, doubtless, a true thing to say
of those ancient people, but will not hold
Mrs. strangfeld shook her head softly.
"If she had a sweetheart she would tell
me" said she, looking rather vaguely, how
ever, at her husband, as a might
whose conscience does not place her perfectly
at ease.
II could not imagine that she would not"
said the husband, sternly.
Gas to Mrs. Mead's gossip, it's idler than
the wind. Being known to her somehow"
continued Mrs. Strangfeld, who was not
very easily repressed, and who, when she had
point to get at, always travelled to it along
the most roundabout paths-"for the chit
will not explain how their acquaintance be-
gan-is it not proper that Mr.. Shaw, who is
q born gentleman md knows manners, should
take off his hat to her and pass a pleasant
word when they meet3 Now, through some
blockhead neighbor, Mother Mead hears of
their talking on the beach, whittier Jenny
had gone for shells for a pin cushion. And
to me she comes with wise tossing Of the
nose. But, says I, 'Ma'am, I am my daugh-
ter's mother, and what concerns me shall be
my proper trouble, under Providence, that
our neighbors may have full time for their
own affairs That was well said Michael,
dost thee not think?"
"Let Mrs. Mead beware how she NEEDLE
with Jenny's name! But there should be
no cause, neither for her nor any other gossip,
to talk"
"Causel" cried Mrs. Strang1eld, opening
her mild eyes, with a little toss of the knit
ting needles. IA pretty pass, truly, if Mr..
Shaw cannot pull off his hat to Jenny, and
praise the weather, without his p%oliteness be-
ing called a cause. A cause to set Mrs.
Mead's tongue going? You need not stand
on your head to do that"
"Ill not have Mr.. Shaw's name chimed
with my wench's," exclaimed Strangfield.
sBeelzebub himself is not harder on us than
the doctor up at the schoolhouse."
"Dear heart alive, I know naught of Mr..
Shaw" exclaimed Mrs. Strangfield, with a
corner glance at her husband. "lf Jenny has
set him gaping, his mouth is not the only one
her beauty has opened. 1 like to look at his
handsome face in the street when I meet him,
and his eyes never were matched for the blue
of them. These are the Lords doings, and a
woman may admire the works of creation, ]
hope. But Jenny would not make a sweet
heart of him without opening her heart to
me-"
"What does Jenny do in her bedroom oil
these hours?' said he. "These mopings have
| come upon her since her return from Syden'
ham. Did she leave her heart behind hel
thereq"
"Now, how you talk! Were that so, would
not Rachel have writtenp
"Jane, Jane, 1 do not like thy habit of flee
ing. It is an old faint of ~sauciness."
"Il 60 and call Jenny, and she shall argue
with thee herself" said Mrs. Strangfield
quite unruffled by her husbands reprimand
She put down her knitting, and l%eisurely
rising, with a pretty waddle left the room
Up the staircase, wide enough for a big
house, she went, and, with a smart turn O.
the door handle, entered q bedroom. Herr
all was dark, until a few moments gazini
exposed Jenny's figure seated at the window
with the windy moonlight streaming upo,
her and the summer gale tossing her hair.
"Jenny, JENNY" exclaimed Mrs. Strang
field, advancing quickly, "what sickness al
thou counting at that open window, foolis]
child2-letting the cold wind fill your bones
Come away from the draught,, and shut tn
window. Father wants thee down stairs"
ut is past nine, mother. What does fathe
want? I like this cool wind, and the star
are pretty to watch, running among til
Clouds"
"Father does not understand your moping
Here have you been sitting for above q
hour. We have been talking about thee, an
he has some questions to ask"
"What questions7" exclaimed the Cir
quickly. "Let me stay here, mother. 1t wi
be time for bed soon. What questions ha
father to ASKER
Continued Ncrt Meck.)