Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1886-03-04
BROUGHT TO TERMS.
Why Coy Jennie Finally Named
the Day."

A deluge of steam and a strong odor
of burning sugar greeted the entrance
of John Kerr into the farmhouse
kitchen on sultry September after
noon. Jumper, the Watchdog, I'M
needing his masters greeting, bolted
through the doorway to escape the hot
shower of berry-juice, while poor pus-
Sy, not SO fortunate, was dancing a
dainty quickstep to her own musical
accompaniment suddenly trans
formed by hot splashes of fruit into a
semblance of her feline cousin, the
leopard. a young girl, flushed and
frantic, was struggling to remove the
kettle of boiling preserves, of which
her brothers strong hand quickly re-
lieved her.
"Oh. john" she exclaimed, with a
painting breath, I'm all a-bubble, Just
like the preserves.
Then, catching up the big gray cat,
she began briskly rubbing its bespat-
tered fur.
"When will this COMPOUNDED muss be
over, Jennie? For nearly three weeks
we've been picked, canned and pre-
served, until every thing seems to taste
and smell of spice, sugar and vinegar.
Aren't you afraid you have undertaken
too much while mothers away?n
..Not at all. l have been very par
ticular to follow my recipes. Mrs.
Sadie Cooper has given me some useful
hints, and | have r little Judgment of
my own. But you have letter; when
will mother be home? Such long
since she went away
Yes said John, dryly, glancing
at the floor, where pussy now sat, Law
ing her wounds with an expression of
melancholy reproach in her large,
celestial-looking eyes, then reading
from the letter in his hand:
"Will reach the city at midnight.
Don't fail to meet me there"
why. that is tonight! Bless her
\ heart, she's coming ut last! But. John,
Ait's such long drive! You will not
? get back before to-morrOw-and-an
we are expecting company, you know,
this evening"
- We are not expecting company,
little sister. don't think Tom Max
well will notice nly absence. And |
will stop and get Mrs Cooper to come
over and stay with YOU until morning.
Her husband won't mind keeping house
one night alone; SO make me 4 cup of
tea, for must be off.
"Oh. dear. | wish | could 90, too.
Tell Sadie she must not fail to como. l
won't stay here without her"
John and Jennie Kerr were the only
children of widow, owning and man.
aging the comfortable dairy farm upon
which they had been born. Mrs. Kerr
had been visiting an only sister. living
in a distant city, and during her alb
sence Jennie had made some wonder
full housekeeping experiments. with a
view to entering an establishment of
her own in the near future. But she
loved her happy home, was coy and
willful. and persisted in her refusal to
name the wedding-day.
Her lover had grown impatient; to-
night was the anniversary of their be-
trothal, and he had vowed to have it
settled efore their engagement entered
its second wear.
Jennie had declared she would not
be badgered into any thing-she would
die first; and knowing her lover, she
felt a strange foreboding for tonight.
John drove off in the old family car
riage; and by the time the untidy kitch-
en- was put to rights, Mrs. Cooper
arrived with her baby and her matronly
dignity. and Jennie felt somewhat re-
assured.
She tied back her yellow curls with a
blue ribbon-the color of her shy droop-
ing eyes-and met her lover, who APP
peared promptly at eight, the curves of
her scarlet lips marked by a sharp line
that indicated the tirmness of her reso-
luton.
Tom Maxwell played with the baby
and kept up light, running converse
ton, until the little one becoming fret
full, Mrs. Cooper, in spite of Jennie S
circumstances, made it an excuse to
retire.
But her absence did not alter his
manner in the least. He chatted away
upon every imaginable subject until the
clock struck eleven; then, stopping
suddenly in the middle of some gay
bandinage, he said:
''Jennie, it lacks Just one hour of
mid-night. You know my decision.
When will you marry me?"
Utter silence followed this question.
II am waiting for your answer" he
said, at last.
II shall not hinder you from wait
ing" declared Jennie, a ring of war in
bsa tones.
III shall wait no longer than"