The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1888-07-19

pace or two. II mistrust you don't
quite apprehend me. It's quito another
tack as I'm on. I'm well-to-
do man, Maria, without no incumbrance
but my son Leonidas, and I've reason to
think he's plannin' to get settled in life
pretty soon. And lately it's been borne
in upon me that I'd orter have second
pardner. The Scripter says it 10 not
well for man to be alone, and the Scrip
ter is generally right. And you're the
pardner I'd like TO have, Maria Pooler
Tho squire beamed. Evidently, In
his opinion, there was NO sort Of doubt
but that Maria would accept him, out Of
hand.
Was he not ''The Squiref' and was moi
Maria Poole hard working. ungainly
woman, just overstepping the border
land where people would begin to jeer
at her lot of "single- blesaedne,sf"
Maria viewed him out OF her honest,
gray eyes with utter amazement.
"You see," went on MI. Dockley
'.you amt SO young as you was,
Mari.A'
',No," thoughtfully observed Maria,
stroking her chin in man-like fashion.
"And you amt what folks call
prettyT
"No," wincing little, in spite Of
herself.
"And there's your father. Most peo-
pie would object to your father; be-
cause"
esquire, look here, none o thisl'
curtly interrupted Maria. "P'raps you
think you've done me favor, but you
ain'tl And I've no moro time to stand
f-gaffing here, afore the mail is
opened. I don't want you. And
wouldn't marry you at NO price.
Therel"
every well, very wellp cried the
squire, in great rage. do jest as
ye think best. Pve no more to say.
But IT amt likely a plain, humbly old
maid like you will get another chance
if, indeed, you ever had ono afore,
which doubt. I only hope you won't
live to regret it, that's ALL"
And Squire Dockley whisked himself
away, never stopping to inquire for his
mornings mail
"a plain, homely old maidr Maria
Poole was only woman after all, and
the old mans brutal words stung her to
the very quick.
She had always been well aw that
she was not fair to look s,
plain, lomely old maidl
Was she, then, shut out To- .er from
all tho prospects that opened themselves
to the eyes of other women2
Nevertheless, she went bravely about
her manifold daily dutios. Shc dis
tributed the outgoing letters, stamped
the incoming ones, and mado her daily
report as usual. She saw to the dinner,
made her old father comfortable, super
intended the affairs of the dairy, gave
audience to Elias Smith, and looked
after the boarders; and by the time that
the soft dusk descend ded over the hills,
she was tired enough. Sho had otter
been tired before, but this was differ.
cnt kind of WEAKNESS. 1t seemed to
strike to her very heart.
Il wonder if this sort of thing is tc
go on forcver7' thought she, as sh'
went out into the garden to see if tn,
tomatoes would be ripe for the morrow
mornings breakfast.
She was STOPPING over tho vines, when
a shadow came between her and the
moonlight. Sho looked up.--it was
Leonidas Dockley---a tall, well-made
young fellow of eight-and- twenty, 9
most striking contrast to his father.
MARIA, what is the mattera" cried
he.
Nothing is the matter" answered
Maria, with little hysterical laugh.
suppose you've come to scold me about
your father. But couldn't help it."
"Has he been meddling about the
postoffice again2' said Lconidas, sooth.
iugly. "Well, don't mind him, Maria.
He don't mean anything. It's only his
way"
'.But, Leonidas-"
"Yes9'
"He says-ho says you're going to be
marriedp
Leonidas looked against the picket
fence, looking thoughtfully down at
the scarlet spheres of tho tomatoes
$50 l am" said he.
"Oh, Leonidasl"
"You know, Maria, we have never
been formally engaged"
''No, but"
"And can't 60 on with things as
they are now; it's too uncertain"
'.But, Leonidas-"
$50 I've made up my mind to marry
you this fall whether you consent or
not. And if you can't leave your father
and the postoffice, why, I'll como here
to live. But as for letting you drudge
on by yourself as you're doing now,
won't stand it, and there's an end of
the matter"
''But, Leonidas, your father says--''
~ don't care what he saysr'
THAT Pm a plain, homely, old
maid"
my father isn't judge Of the ar
ticle," calmly asserted Lconidas. "Be-
cause it isn't he that wants to marry
you."
"Yes, it is, Leonidas.
And then Maria told him the tale Of