Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1888-01-13
The Squire's Wooing.

Ike the one he had known so well.
Good morning!' he called out
sheerily from his work.
Good morning. said the girl. stop
ping al the fence and shading her eyes
with her hands "My! how your
Strawberries grow don't believe
We Il get a pallfu out OF our patch"
well. you tell your ma she can help
herself to mine whenever she wants
an. Tell her I'll come over Saturday
and bring some OF them with me. But
say. had letter from Charley yes.
,erday," with smile.
"Ycs?" she said. blushing and pull
ing at a daisy in her hand. you
ought to be glad OF that, squire. Com
ng down here?'
"For few DAYS. that's all"
We'll. don't sappont us Satur-
day as she turned to 20.
II won't said the SOU re. going
back to his work.
He was very thoughtful. however
all the afternoon. and when Charley
arrived he took an early opportunity
10 corner HIM.
live been thinkin' some lately of
cettin' new hOusekeeper, he stam-
pcred, growing very red in the face.
doesn't Aunt Sarah want TO stayP"
asked Charley unsuspectngly.
IL meant-ahcm,-a housekceper
st-of. of-anothcr kind!' explained
the squire rather explosively, wlping
his face very theoretically after the
sompletion of the difficult sentence.
Il think | begin to understand"
said Charley, in great surprise. May
ask who it tsp
list s-down the roadr answer
oil the squire. choking considerably
ever tho words and jerking his thumb
IN the direction OF the Widow Kecne's.
That's the way the wind blows, is
it2" laughed Charley "lm glad to
hear it. You couldn't do better if you
hunted the world over.
I'm glad to hear YOU say so, said
ss father. much relieved. II felt sure
you'd like to have Lucy as-as "a
member Of the family"
Il haven't the least objection to
such an arrangement. answered
Charley. with twinkle in his eyes
Thank the Lord that's over with, "
said the SOU re- drawing long breath.
rs Charley strollcd off down the path
In tho twilight That's n sensible
boy. wonder, now. that he never
took fancy 70 Lucy. / s'posc folks'll
say I'm an oil fool, but don't care"
About 1 O'Clock on Saturday after
noon the squire. in hs best coat and
with pal of strawberries on his arm,
knocked at Mrs. Kcene's door
Good afternoon. she said. opening
she door to her visitor He couldn't
help thinking that her face was almost
as fair as it had been 2j years ago. as
sho welcomed I'm in.
The SOU re wanted to say he'd like
her daughter. but concluded he
wouldn't just then.
BY that time he was in the sitting
room. Who should he see there but
Charley, holding worSted for Lucy to
wind and seeming very much at home.
IL didn't expect to see you here, "
he stammcred
Then Lucy and Charley tried hard to
look very dcmure and failed, and final
ly got to laughing. The squire felt
his face growing uncomfortably warm.
"Just see what be brought us. sa d
the widow. display ing the berries. If
you'll hull some. Lucy Wen have
shortcakc for tea / remember you
used to be rather fond of shortcake
few years ago" she said to the SOU re
and smiling till a dimple showed itself
in each check.
Il know what you're thiukin' of. "
responded he. THAT was little the
best shortcake ! ever came across,
Hester" and then they both laughed
over the recollection of some pleasant
event in bygone years. Then Lucy and
her mother went to the kitchen and the
squire and his son were left together.
live spoken to her about being
one of the family and she's willing"
said Charley with a little blush.
WHAT" Tho squire felt hot and
cold by turns Il don't under
standr
you know what YOU said the other
night when YOU told me you thought
of getting her mother for housekeep-
er," explained Charley Il suppose
from that you understood Lucy and
intended to lie MARI ell sometime. We've
talked it over and its all settled
The squire was speechless for the
space of minute.
Il hope You'll be happy he man
aged TO say very family at last.
just then the W ddow came in.
I've got tie cake baking" she
said. Lucy said she'd hull the berries
and set the table. and sent me in to
inlay lady so I cun1e ~