The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1886-07-31


the opportunity of looking at her closely
when the woman turned, almost sharply.
"You are studying me. What do you
think ?"
"Oh-why-I-I-was wondering
you had always been SO poor" stammered
Lottie, honest, but embarrassed.
The woman laughed, and not unmusi-
CAL
"No," she said, "I was not. But you
are young and am old, therefore let US
talk of you and not of me. Tell me, do
you always intend to live SO alone-don't
you want to marry?"
A wave of color, like the warm tint to
sea-shell, covered Lottie's sweet face.
II am going to marry very soon" she
said, after moment.
care you? And do you mind telling
me about it-and him?" questioned the
woman.
ale is teaching French and Spanish to
the children I am nursery governess to, and
we meet there very often. know he Is
good and noble, because-because l do.
He shows it in every look and act"
"And you love him?'
"Ah, yes Yes, indeed"
Something in the sweet purity and rapt
expression of the girls face made the wo-
man turn suddenly away and wipe her eyes.
And then nothing more was said by either
until the dainty supper of tea, toast and
eggs was cooked by Lottie and placed be-
fore the woman on tray, covered with a
worn but snowy napkin. Then suddenly
came the question, "what ere you going to
do with me to-night-turn me out p
"Oh, no, indeed. You shall sleep on
nv bed, and 1 can make pallet here by
the fire. My bed is out of sight now" she
added, with laugh, as the woman looked
about inquiringly. ~ like to have my
room sitting-room, so if any one comes to
see me fold my bed into a lounge, and
put all my toilet things back of that pretty
curtain and that leaves me little parlor,
YOU see. Isn't it pleasant ?"
The old lady's face was mystery as she
looked and listened The thin lips contin-
uaIly twitched, and the eyes, with all their
sharpness gone, filed with tears. But she
asked no more questions,
Lottie ate her own supper; then went
into the closet, took down the tiny dish
pan, poured out the water that had been
heating while they ate, then quickly cleaned
up all signs of supper, working quietly, as
she supposed the weary woman was doing,
when on the contrary, she was intently
watching every act of the young house
keeper. Work done, apron was removed,
clean cuffs were put on, the soft curls
brushed and tastefully tied; then Lottie
came to the fire, and seeing her visitor
awake, ''My Robert is coming this even
ing, and you will see if he is not good and
noble-looking."
"He is coming here? this evening p
exclaimed the woman, starting up. "Then
I must goat once !"
"Indeed, mol Where would you go?
You will stay here" said Lottie, with de-
cision; and at that very instant steps sound
ed on the stairs and through the hall; and
she added, with quick smile: "Here he
is now"
Trembling, and evidently at her wits
end, the woman sank back into her seat
and while Lottie went to the door, and
greeted her lover In few low-spoken
words, she sat staring'into the fire, smile
gradually breaking over her face as though
CONSERVATION had given way to amuse-
ment.
LAYING his hat and coat over chair,
Robert Claxton came around to the fire,
and looked down at the old woman as she
looked up at him; and there was a mo
ments silence.
Grandmother he exclaimed at last,
in a voice of stupe6ed amazement- grand
mother, am I dreaming? ?"
"Well-no-I think not. You don't
appear to be-" answered she, as though,
after all, it was great joke.
"But you-what-I-"
aQidn't | say 1 was going to?" asked
she, shortly.
"No, you didn't say what and I never
thought-"
"No, I suppose not; but 1 did. See
here, Lottie." )"
Like one doubling her senses, Lottie had
stood listening to the strange dialogue, and
even at this peremptory order she had not
the power to move.
"This is my grandmother, Lottie," be-
gan Robert, as if at loss how to tell his
story.
But she interrupted him briskly.
aI'll tell you about it, myself, Lottie, :"
said she. 81 am his grandmother, and |
am not poor; and no more is he, as he has
made you believe. On the contrary, he is
to have all my money; and l had set my
heart on his marrying Maude Dawber-
yes, the very young lady where you teach
and he set his heart on finding out for
himself what she was like. So l humored
him, and he left off his name, Bennett, and
went to the family with a glowing letter of
recommendation from me. He was en-
gagged; he saw my pretty Maude in her
home, and I need not tell you how he found
her to be a shiftless spoiled beauty. He
also saw you, and l could never repeat all
his love rhapsodies. l was chagrined that
my choice had been found at fault, and de-
termined to discover flaws in his, and