The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-09-27

ways CO. III NOuiQ OC SrCdt Till lOr
Naomi Nutting."
Ill never believe it" said John.
The old love affair between him and
Naomi Nutting was dead and gone
long ago, but something in the preva-
lent atmosphere seemed to fan the
faint spark of its ashes into new life
John Scarsby remembered how black
and bright her eyes once were, and
what a trim little figure she had.
While the squire. meditating on the
perfect. dazzling cleanliness of Naomi 5
dairy, and the efficiency with which
she had set out the violet roots and
the strawberry creepers, said TO him
self:
~ don't know but that l might do
worse. To be sure. she's poor. soli-
tary, friendless creetur. without any
property, except that old mortgage
ridden farm. But can't get no hired
girl short of eleven dollars month.
and it is sort o lonesome settin' on
the stoop of evenin 5 all alone. She's
been brought up economical, too, and
won't want TO spend any more money
than she can help. That's a great
thing"
And the squire brushed his lank
hair more carefully than ever over the
glossy dome of his bald Uranium. and
considered seriously the propriety of
dying his grizzy beard.
Mother" said John Scarsby, that
day. 1t isn't right for you to do all
the homework by yourself. It's too
much TO: you"
LA, John, 1 do hope you amt
thinkin' of hirin' a helpr' exclaimed
Mrs. Scarsby. in dismay. ''Of all the
shiftless, idle. wasteful things
We've got to do something. moth
er," said John. Il can't let " work
yourself out"
1t was all true. John Scarsby had
said the same thing time and again to
his mother; but ne said it now with
genuine earnestness. looking at her
as he did 50. and secretly wondering
how he should break to her the It'd
ings Of an impending daughter-in-law.
And Naomi Nutting, of all persons.
Tho woman whom Mrs. Scarsby al
ways designated as that poor forlor.
| old maid"
| John was brave man, but there
are more kinds of courage than one.
1 Mrs Scarsby cried over the butter
beans she was cutting up for dinner.
Il won't have help in the house."
thought she. III John really wants
woman around. why can't he get
married? And | don tknow no smart
er girl than Naomi Nutting. I've a
great mind to 60 over and see if she
can't break that ere contract with
Squire Bagshot. l wish l dared to
speak right out to John about it He
used to like Naomi, but men are
queer"
Naomi had just come in from weed
ing her late-onion patch the next even
ing, when the squire arrived. all IN
his best
Good evening. SQUIRE" said Miss
Nutting. sit down till l light the
lamp"
Don't light it." said the squire,
sheepishly. I'm partial to the twi-
light"
Il amt" said Naomi. 81 mostly
like to see what I'm doing. You'v
come about business, l suppose?''
"Ahem-yes, admitted the squire
Although he had told himself all day
long that Naomi Nutting would
certainly jump at his offer, he could
not subdue a certain nervousness at
The last moment Very important
business,''
Rat-tat-tat-t-t-t! came a knock on
the panels of the lilac-shaped front
door.
John Scarsby. arriving close On the
heels Of the squire, had perceived the
necessity for immediate action.
He was flushed, and breathed hard
with rapid walking. but he had
screwed his courage up.
Naomi. = said he, "can l speak to
you for one minute?"
Naomi. holding the lamp in one
hand, stared hard at him.
I'm engaged just now" said she.
Engaged"
Squire Bagshot is here"
Il won't keep you long" said
John Il only want one word"
ANY thing happened?' questioned
Naomi
''No, but" John drew a quick
breath of vexation and embarrass-
ment- will you hear me out
Naomi"
The squire. in the front room,
cleared his throat loudly as Naomi
conducted John into the back kitchen
snow, then" said she. What is
it?''
Did ever lover woo maiden before
under such discouraging circumstances
as these?
John fixed his eyes on the copper
boiler, and blurted out his tender
confession at once.
It was an awkward proceeding, but
it was inevitable.
Naomi" said he, 81 want a wife
Will you have me?'
''No. thankee, john" said Miss
Nutting-
John stared at her. and uttered q
gasp.
''What did you say" stammered he.
81 said nor
I'm too late, am l?'' he uttered,
despairingly.