Little Falls transcript., 1886-07-23
But she asked no more.

questions. Il. 55 I. NJ #=. s n. 3.
Lottie ate her, own supper, then
went into the closet, took down the
tiny dish-pan, poured out her water
that had been heating while they ate,
then quickly cleaned up all signs OF
supper, working quietly, as she sup
posed the weary woman was dozing,
when, on the contrary, she was in
tently watching every act of the young
housekeeper. Work done, apron was
removed, clean cuffs were put on, the
soft crrls brushed, and tastefulIy
tied; then Lottie came to the FIRE, and
seeing her visitor awake, said, with a
smile and a pretty blush, "My Robert
IS coming this evening, and you will
see II he is not good and notebook
ing"
'He is coming here?-this evening?"
exclaimed the woman; starting up.
"Then l must goat once!"
Indeed, no! Where would you 20?
You will stay here" said Lottle, with
decision; and at that very instant
steps sounded on the stairs, and
through the hall; and she added with
a 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 q few
iow-spoken words, she sat staring in
to the fire, q smile gradually breaking
over her face, as though consterna-
tion had given way to amusement.
Laying his hat and coat over g
chair, Robert Claxton came. around
to the fire and looked down at the old
woman, as she looked up at him; and
there was moments silence.
"Grandmother!'' he exclaimed at
last. in q voice ofsturefed amazement
-"Grandmother, am I dreaming?"
"Well-no-I think not. You don't
appear to be, answered she, as though,
alter all, it was great Joke
"But you--what--I-"
Didn't say was going to-" asked
she, shortly.
"No, you didn't say what; and 1
never Thought"
NO; I suppose not; but did. See
here, Lottie.''
Like one doubling her senses, Lottie
had stood listening to the strange dia-
iogue, and even at this peremptory
order she had not the power to move.
"Thls is my grandmother, Lottie, !"
began Robert, as if at loss how to
tell his story.
But she interrupted him briskly.
cru tell you about it myself, Lot
tie," said she. "lam his grand moth.
or, and ! am not poor; and no more is
ne, as he has made you believe. On
the contrary, he IS to have all my
money; and I 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 him
self what she was like. So I humored
him, and he left off his last name, Ben.
nett, and went to the family with a.
glowing letter Recommendation OF from
me. He was engaged; he saw my pref
ty Maude in her home, and I need not
tellyou how be found her to be shift
less, spoiled beauty. He also saw you.
and l could never repeat all his love
rhapsodies. I was chagrined that my
choice had been found at fault, and
determined to discover flaws in his,
and-well, I've tried, and failed"
She paused there, and rising sudden
ly, went to amazed and bewildered
Lottie, and took her hand.
s:Robert, the girl you love is worthy
all you have said and believed of her.
She is q pure, true, noble girl, with q
heart that you or any man must
strive hard to be worthy of. Take
her, with the warmest blessing your
crusty, doubling grandmother can ask
or give"
Tenderly Robert clasped the hands
placed in his, and drew her to his
breast.
"Lottie, my darling, you forgive us
both?"
But from mingled astonishment and
Joy, Lcttie was sobb:ng and speech
less.
II played the hungry old woman
pretty we'll, l think" said old Mrs.
Bennett, complacently, as she sat
down by the fire again. II am old
and rather pale, and, OF course, the
child never guessed I was swathed in
thick fannels under all these rags.
But, oh, Robert, my boy, you have
found little treasure-you have in
deed. Be worthy Of her"
~ will try, grandma" he said, ten
derly kissing Lottie's blushing, happy
face, "every hour of my life. :"