The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1889-02-02

ana Miss Stone could hardly have avoid
ed driving with him occasionally,
She thought, at the end OF four weeks
that she must certainly go to see Mrs
Briscomb and tell her how delightful,
her own hired man had proved he
theories.
Itneeded only distant locomotive Il
bring matters TO aclimax, Eben's horsl
saw II as he and Miss Stone drove owe
the track one evening, and reared ant
plunged. Miss Stone screamed family
and chung to the hired mans arm, ant
when they were safe on the other sid'
the hired mans arm was around her,
"Wftf you let me take care OF you u
ways, Miss StOne-GertrudeW he wills
pered, in stereotyped phrase. II know
You will"
Miss Stone turned q pretty yearning
dubious face upon him,
"What will the people sayP" She
murmured,
n thought you didn't care" said the
hired man, in tender reproach, loosen
ing his arm.
II don't-I don't!" cried Miss Stone
pulling 1t tight again. "You IRE all ]
want. / don't care for anybody. And
We shall live out here on a little farm OIL
our own!" she said, pleasantly,
"Well perhaps-summers, said Eben,
"What shall we do winters2" said
Miss Stone, wonderingly.
"Well, I've thought Of going into the
newspaper business, +" the hired man re.
joined, lightly, And she laughed in
fond enjoyment OF the joke.
The remark occurred to her three days
later, She went into the city to do u
little shopping, and to break the news
OF her engagement to her guardian. She
told herself yehemently that she did not
dread the process in the least she was
certain that itwould not make the slight
est difference what anybody said,
Still she felt little odd as she. walked
up the street from the station, The
Egberts drove past In their liyeried car
riage, The newly.married and excess
sively stylish Nichols met her smilingly.
LottIe Hall and her rich young fanCO
bowed to her from dog cart. Well,
she didn't care what they said; she
should marry Eben, though the whole
world should rise up to oppose it.
1t was the Daily Reflector building
which put her in mind OF Eben's joke
about the newspaper business. The
atlluent publisher Of 1t stood on the steps
talking to gentleman. He was an old
friend OF Miss Stone, and he hurried
down to speak to her.
''Iu for some shopping" he said. "By
the way, We were Just speaking OF you.
Mr.. Russell tells me he has met you. Mr..
Russell, here's Miss Stone"
Mr.. Russell came down the steps with
his hat raised. He was Immediately
arrayed In q pale summer suit, knotty,
silver-mounted stick, u high hat aud
polished shoes. He was In no wise diff
ferent from the dozens OF young men
passing ut tho moment, but Miss Stone
stared ut him in speeChless, motionless
'bewilderment, and Mr.. Russell stared
back at her,
1t was not until the publisher bowed
himself away that they spoke.
"Eben!" Miss Stone gasped.
"Gertrudel" MIR. Russell rejoined.
He had recovered himself and was
smiling down at her.
~ didn't know you were coming to-
day.,
murmured family.
"Well, I'm the young person you're
going to marry, for one thingm the
young man responded emphatically, and
led her into neighboring restaurant be-
fore RaVinp ANYTHING more
~ couldn't help itw he declared
breathlessly northumberland cream.
II couldn't think OF any other way, and
! was awtully gone on you from the first
minute. 1t wasin tue porch that first
afternoon. l heard what you said, you
knOw-aIl about frivolous, hippant min.
ded city men; and didn't dare TO APP
pear II my proper character-Ididn't
truly"
His voice shook with something be-
side feeling, and he put his handkerchief
to his mouth,
Miss Stone smiled too, helplessly.
"And you-have been doing-iarm
work ?" she said.
Good gracious! don't know pillow
from reaper" Bob responded. "I've
Just been lying about in Aunt Sarah's
front yard-when l haven't been with
Miss Stone unused, pink and trcmulous.
"Wherc did you get the clothes?" she
said.
"Borrowed 'em. l have bought them
now, though, and l am going to keep
them foreverp said her lover lervently.
"See here, dear-am l frivolous and
flappant4minded? Do you want to bake
and milk exclusively Aren't you
ratherglad ain not hired MANI ?"
Miss Stone looked at him with help.
less fondness.
~Neli, since It is you-yes."