The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1888-02-11

was deeply serious.
"Well?" said the doctor, collec.
lively.
Good gracious!" said Tom. ex.
plosively "did you ever see such a
darling? ?"
"Oh, the cook !" said Wilson. shut
ting the stove-damper. "Yes, she's
pretty. But don't lose your head
over a pretty girl, Bronson; the
woods are full of them
Wilson picked up "Life of Wash
ington" from the table and began to
read it 4; and Tom, after drearily
wistful pause, stole into the kitchen.
Susy stood at the sink with her
sleeves rolled to her plump elbows,
washing dishes. Aunt Sally was
stirring yeast and warm water into a
pan of flour at the table.
"Oh, let me help !" Tom implored,
looking beseechingly into Susy's dark
eyes.
"Help? ?" she repeated. laughingly.
But Tom was in earnest. He caught
an apron of Aunt Sally's from nail,
tied 1t around him, and seized a dish
towel.
Susy laughed sweetly Aunt Sally
chuckled till her stout sides shook.
you'll see Pm an adept |" said
Tom, confidently.
He felt he could be an adept at fly
ing, with such an inducement.I
Indeed, he rubbed the forks and
polished the glasses till they shone.
"Do you like housework, Susy 2"
he said softly.
Susy looked astonished-did she
also look displeased ?-and did not
reply. Tom made another attempt,
affrightedly.
Have you been with Aunt Sally
long?' he said. IL am so glad
she can have such good help. 1t isn't
always to be procured. you know"
He meant this to please and fiatter
her, and he thought he was success
full.
She turned her pretty head away
quickly and when she turned back
her charming face was softly flushed,
and she was smiling. Aunt Sally
was in the pantry.
"Yes, am glad to be with her"
she said, simply.
"East Wheeleryille is beautiful,
isn't it ?" said Tom, elated at his suc-
sess.
At that moment he sincerely con-
sidered East WheelervilIe even more
than beautiful.
II like it," Susy rejoined, bringing
more hot water in tin dipper.
II suppose you've been brought up
here ?" said Tom in low and senti.
mental tones-Aunt Sally was back
at the table.
Susy murmured something, with
her head bent over the dishes, which
their rattle drowned.
Happy East Wheelerville-to
have been your native place !" Tom
with a look which, an hour ago, he
would have set down as idioticalIy
soft.
"Oh, thank you !" said the hired
girl, prettily. washing the last pan.
The evening flew by at a lightning
spped, so it seemed to the enthralled
young man. He helped Susy put
away the dishes, and huEg the dish
pan on hook that was too high for
her. and held the dust-pan while she
"brushed up )" and then they went
into the sitting-roOm and played a
delicious game of dominoes by them
selves, while Aunt Sally knit, and
Uncle 'Rastus and the doctor talked
politics; and talked all the rest of the
evening, after Wilson had gone up
stairs and while Uncle 'Rastus dozed.
Wilson was awakened by a sharp
shaking at half-past ten.
"See here-Wake up! l want to
talk" said Tom, sitting down on the
DOCTORS feet. "See here, WILSON,
Pm gone this time !"
"Where ?" said the doctor, Sleep
lily.
"I'm in love! Yes-no fooling.
Pm going to marry her if 1 can get
her!"
"Who.?"
"Why, Susy !" cried Tom, wildly.
The doctor sat up, fully reused.
"Susy!' he echoed, sternly: "your
aun'ts servant girl! Are you crazy,
Bronson? What will your people
say? But, pshaw, you're talking
bOsh ~
Wilson Law down again.
"Bosh ?" cried Tom. almost delir.
iously. you'll see Bosh? l.? I'd
marry her if she was only a crossing
sweeper. She's the loyeliest, sweet.
est creature in the world. I'll have
her if l die for it !"