The Arkansaw traveler., 1888-03-17

Peter looked vexed. Mrs. Grant had always been terribly prejudiced against poor Jenny, whom it was the habit on the farm to make the scape- grace for all that went wrong. With out father, mother, or any one else she could lay claim to, the girl had grown up doing the stern bidding of her grandfather, and 80 much of his work that those around, unmindful that it was from necessity, jeered and taunted her tor being more of boy than a girl.
 "Cousin Selina thinks she has found place for her, doesn't she?" Peter said.
 "Yes, if you'll let her go. Talk about not sending the old man to the union; should call it charity"
 Peter remembered the outburst of sorrow there had been when he only made mention of it to Jenny. Still, the old man was growing day by day more feeble, and what, then, could he do? It was kind of Selina-perhaps- yes-under all circumstances.
 "Mother," he said, "Jenny shall go tell Cousin Selina that we will send her."
 "Well think you'd better tell her yourself" said Mrs. Grant, stifily. "Pm tired writing letter upon letter; more particularly if you ain't got no serious thoughts of her, the sooner 'tis put an end to the better"
 "But I can't think for a moment | that she would marry me"
 "Not without asking she won't most certainly"
 Peter drummed on the table. Catch ing sight of his face, Mrs. Grant de- cided to strike the blow.
 "I don't want in any way to force you to marry Selina Pollard or any body; only think it over, because I have made up my mind that I must go. Somebody, it seems, must make a sacrifice, why me more than you?" "Oh, mother, couldn't hardly ex- pect that you'd stay here forever; the place is very lonely, know"
 "And for that reason 'tisn't every woman who'd care to take up her home here and settle down so quietly; but Selina is one O the bustling ones who finds plenty to do everywhere, and does it well, too. Twas like listening to a man to hear her talking O the land and what it might be turned to. With her money thrown in and the care she'd pay, there'd be handsome property for little Peter some day"
 Peters fingers drummed on the ta- ble more slowly and more softly. Then they stopped and he sat with eyes that looked into vacancy.
 "Could I walk there?" he asked sud- denly.
 "Yes, you could, but there ain't no necessity. You get the train at Bly, field, and that puts you off at Three Cross station, and then Selina's house is about two miles further on I should say"
 Peter pushed back his chair and got | up wearily; he went over to the man. tel-piece and stood leaning his head against it, looking into the empty fire place.
 "Perhaps I might manage it on Monday, mother. Eh! what do you say?"
 "Say good luck go with you," and Mrs. Grant went over and put her hard, bony hand down on her sons shoulder-as she thought-affectio ately.
 "The boys all I've got to look to, mother," and Peter swallowed down the lump that was rising. "There's nothing wouldn't do for him."
 Mrs. Grant feigned to wipe tear from the corner of her eye.
 "Ah!' she said, "you needn't tell me-a lorn widow woman left in the world with four of you. Who should know the feelings of a parent better than mel"
 That night Peter took out from his box little prayer-book. Around it was coarse, white handkerchief, within it 8 faded flower and some withered sprigs of rosemary-shew who used to carry it each Sunday was lying in the grave far away. Peter stood looking at it; then, bending his head down, he said; ooh, Milly can't ye help me? 'Taint wife I want, but mother for your boy"
 II.
 Several things had happened by the time Monday came round. Peter had made up his mind Jenny had got her dismissal; the two of them were start ing from Winscott on the same day.
 The hearts of both were heavy, and the lovely morning seemed to mock them with it's bright sunshine and clear blue sky.
 Jenny, still lingering, ought to have started an hour ago; she was to walk to the station. Peter, riding, was un- necessarily fidgety about being early. "Valor will come and go," and, like Bo6 Acres, Peter felt his beginning to