Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1886-04-15
The WIDOW DURReLL'S MATRI.
MONIAL PLANS.
by MISS H. MARIA GEORGE.

"Tm sure, Carrie, I don't know what
better you could do" said the Widow Dur
rell, with q 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 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 to know what his intentions are? He
may not want to marry at all.
"There, 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 to marry. He's got large
farm, and amt that kind of fellow to fool
round as some l 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 koenly in ths -faae-- Al >G .i~~
widows girls, ,andthere were four sisters, were
allowed to be comely maidens, but Carrie
was decidedly the flower of the flock in
that respect, recalling Byfon's description
of Dudu:
Large, languid and lazy,
And OF a beauty that would drive you crazy
She was tall and plump of form, with
velvet -complexioned face, soft, dreamy
blue ewes, tipped up, wicked little chin,
lips inst made to be kissed, and swath of
bronzy hair with sunlight shining in every
fold and ripple. "Languid 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 to see If she could get
around any faster. 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 sharp glance. IF you
want so mortally slow you might have been
settled before this time, same as Phoebe an6
| Sally Ann. But la! you'll grow gray first.
| A ripple of silvery laughter issued from
the sweet red lips, and the bronzed head
was tossed aloft in pretty scorn.
"Why, mother Durrell, you certainly
don't wish me TO marry a man who doesn'
want me! think it's Lu that Toms after
only he doesn't dare speak out"
"Lu shant marry him. Ill be bound,
cried her mother, hotly. "You know tina
all along I've planned for her to be Squir'
Raynor's wife. She isn't strong enough Il
do the drudgery of farm"
"But she's got faculty, you've always san
that" said Carrie, with peculiar smile.
"Yes, she's got faculty, which you halnt,
declared the widow, emphatically. HE
bread never burns and her creams sure
come butter. You never did have luc
about such things
OF all human Affections, daughter VIII
seemed to be created without the boon Q
faculty" was the severest to drlyin
New England housewife like Mrs Poll
Durrell
A slim, gypsy-looking girl, with gres
dark eyes like sloes, and wearing crimso
shawl coquettishly over her black hair, en-
tered the kitchen at that instant.
"Mother, Squire Raynors asked me, an
am going
Mrs. Durrell looked up eagerly and
warm flush crept into her matronly fac
"Of course you accepted him." she e'
claimed.
"Oh, I don't mean that he has poppe
TIE question" said the girl, looking dow
with pretty flush. why, mother, no
Won have upset me. AS IL he could ev
care ANYTHING for me. He's only asked n
to teach the summer term OF school. i
YOU think / CAM"
"Of course you'll take it," cried Il
widow. "Why, it's just the chance "
need above all others, and, Lu, If you a
smart YOU can be mistress of Rayn
Hall before Christmas"
Lu blushed hotly and dropped her scarf
face, while she gave her shoulders We
slight upward motion. She would ha
cared more for look from certain p'
: of eyes than for all Squire Rayno
wealth, his big house, conservatories, a
all; but she did not care to tell her mot
er so.
. 81 think will try the school at any rat
she said, after pause, very thoughtful
at is eighteen dollars a month and boai
and can walk the distance from here eas
enough" And without waiting to hear
mothers answer she tripped away merr
humming "Auld Lang Syne."
"Don't you see how luck fayors Lup" 81
the widow. "She will win the Squire, a
don't know Of anybody else who'd ms
Z him happier or more careful housekee
er. I'VE always said she was cut out 70
lady. Now, Cad, il you will bring Stap
ton TO terms, can go down to my gr'
feeling easy, as knowing that you are
settled"
lt- aOh. mother, you mustn't say anyth
sopr- about dying vet awhile" cried Car
ldI affectionately. ~And am sure you need