The Arkansaw traveler., 1888-03-17

"Oh, master w exclaimed Jenny plunging her little teeth into the dainties he handed her; "doesn't it taste nicer"
 Jenny didn't know that forbidden fruit is always said to have a good flavor.
 Not only was Mrs. Grants basket cleared, but Jenny's bread went down sweetly. Peter ate every crumb of it himself, and then, being thirsty, he left them to fetch some water from the little stream they could hear bab- bling close by. When he returned Jenny held up warning finger that he should speak softly; the boy had fallen asleep, his head was nestled on her shoulder; one chubby hand held the sleeve of her gown tightly.
 "He's pretty fellow" said the father proudly, and then he sighed, "Tis thousand pities he hasn't got no mother, Jenny"
 "It is, master" she said sadly.
 "They're telling me that he's grow ing up headstrong and self willed, and that on his account I ought to marry" and he looked st Jenny ques- tioningly. : ssa> =
 Perhaps they're right, master it might be the best thing for ye to do."
 "That's what's taking me to Mrs. Pollard's. It's been hard matter. though; l could hardly screw my courage up to go."
 "For why?" said Jenny amazedlv.
 Peter felt it did not become him to speak of the woman he intended ask ing to be his wife in any disparaging way.
 "Oh, well how do I know she'll have me? As likely as not she'll say mo-"
 Jenny shook her head.
 ''Not she, master"
 "But it's very little that Pve got to offer."
 "Little! what, yourself and Peter !'' and the astonished eyes of Jenny dropped, to fix themselves on the sleeping treasure.
 "You think, then, that would be enough to make a woman happy. Jenny?"
 Shed be hard to please if it didn't, master"
 Peter was silent for moment. The midday sun flooded all around, the trees waved their branches gently, the babbling of the little stream sounded like song.
 elf thought so," began Peter, "I might ask to marry me somebody who is younger-somebody I know that is about your age, Jenny.o
 "1es, would you?" said Jenny, in- terested in the matter.
 "Supposing now, that anybody like me, say-was to ask-well, was to ask you, Jenny, would you give him yes or no for an answer?"
 ooh, master, I should give him yes" cried innocent Jenny.
 "Then will you give that yes to me. Jenny?" and Peter stretched out his arm to put it round her. But Jenny had already sprung to her feet; there was pained look in her face, her eyes were filled with tears.
 "Take him." she said, holding out little Peter, and the dignity of her manner more than her words told how wounded she felt at the thought that he was trifling with her. A minute before, Peter would have said that he had drifted into the offer he had made, but now his heart leaped up the sparks had fallen, the flame burst out, and he knew he loved her.
 "Jenny," he said, and as he spoke, unconsciously he drew nearer. "Who gave me courage to ask young girl to be my wife?"
 Jenny trembled.
 "I will wake the boy. Peter," he said, Peter, my little son, beg of Jenny to let you call her mother"
 The child, newly awakened, stretched out his soft, rounded arms, and the next moment they all three were clasped together.
 A long time went by before sense and reason seemed restored to them> and then Peter had most to say. Jenny was like one in a dream at the good fortune which had come to her. By turns she laughed and cried, would look shyly at the father, and then devour with kisses little Peter. Their steps turned homeward the mood of each became more sober. The farm in sight, Jenny stopped.
 "What is it?" said Peter.
 "Oh, master! think it over what you have said to me. I am afraid the old missis will be very angry"
 "You musn't mind it if she is, Jenny. shall stand by you, and you must stand by me; we are both pledged to little Peter"
 Jenny smiled through her tears.
 "Last night" she said, "after had cried myself to sleep, l remember now