Connecticut western news., 1888-07-25

a pace or two. "T mistrust you don't quito apprehend me. It's quito another tack as Pm on. I'm well-to- do man, Maria, without no incumbranco 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 scriptcr says it is not we'll for man to be alone, and the S,rip- ter is generally right. And you'rc the pardner I'd like to have, Maria Poole!
 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 SquireT' and was not Maria Poole hard working, ungainly woman, just overstepping the border land where people would begin to jecr at her lot of "single- e-blessednessa'
 Maria viewed him out of her honest, gray eyes with utter amazement.
 'You sce,' went on MT. Dockley "you ain't so young as you was, Mari,A'
 "No," thoughtfully observed Maria, stroking her chin in man. like fashion.
 "And you ain't what folks call pretty"
 "No," wiucing 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 this curtly interrupted Maria. "P'raps you think you've done mo favor, but you ain'tl Anl I've no more time to stand giff-gaffing here, afore the mail is opened. I don't want you And wouldn't marry you at no price. Therc!"
 ''Very well, very well" cried the squire, in a great rage. Do jest as ye think best. I've no more to say. But it ain't likely plain, humbly old maid like you will get an other ch,nce if, indeed, you cvcr had ono afore, which doubt. I only hope you won't live to regret it, that all.''
 And Squire Dockley whisked him elf away, never stopping to inquire for his mornings mail.
 "A plain, homely old maid!' Maria Poole was only woman after all, and the old mans brutal words stung her to the very quick.
 She had always been we'll aware that she was not fair to look upon; bat Q plain, homely old mail!
 Was she, then, shut out forever from all the prospects that opened themselves to the eyes of other women2
 Nevertheless, she went bravely about her manifold daily duties. She dis, tributed the outgoing letters, stamped the incoming ones. and made her daily report as usual. She saw to the dinner, made her old father omfortable, super- intended the affairs of the dairy, gavo audionce to Elils Smith, and looked after the boarders; and by the time that the soft dusk descended over the hills, she was tired enough. Sho had often been tired before,' but this was differ cnt kind of wcarinoss. It seemed to strike to her very heart.
 '1 wonder if this sort of thing is to go on forevera' thought she, as she went out into the garden to see If the tomatoes would be ripe for the morrow mornings breakfast.
 She Was stepping over the vines, when Q shadow came between her and the moonlight. She looked up---it was Lconidas Dockley---a tall, well-made young fellow of eight au twenty, a 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 como to scold mo about your father. But I couldn't help it."
 ''Has he been medd!ing about the postoffice again2' said Leonidas, sooth- iagly. "Well, don't mind him, Maria. He don't mean anything. It's only his way"
 "But, Leonidas--" "Yes9'
 'He says-he says you're going to be marriodp
 Lconidas looked against tho picket fence, looking thoughtfully down at the scarlet spheres of tho tomatoes.
 ''So am," said he.
 "Oh, Leonidas"
 You know, Maria, we have never been formally engagcd.'
 '.No, but"
 "And can't go on with things as they are now; it's too uncertain"
 ''But, Leonidas-"
 ''So Tvs made up my mind to marry you this fall whether you consent o1 rot. Ard if you can't leave your father and the rostoffice, why, I'll come hero 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, Loonidas, your father says---' "I don't care what he saysr' ''That Pm a plain, homcly, old maid"
 My father isn't judge of the ar ticle," calmly asserted Leonidas. "Be- cause it isn't he that wants to marry | voup