Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1889-07-03

70 dispense wrh her services, said Miss
Sophronia. ga boy that eats the quantity
Of mullins and plum jam that you did at
tea last night can not call himself an in
valid any longer. She has been here q
month, and"
"But she's not to go away for all that,
Aunt Soph," said Guy, who was devouring
roasted chestnuts like dragon. ''Ask
papa. She's 20 be Mrs Paley one Of these
days, and"
"Mrs. Paleyp' Aunt Sophronia turned
green and yellow. s'It's come to that, then,
has it, Well, I've suspected this some
time. And all I've got to say is"
"Seven years from now,'' said Guy, with
his mouth full of chestnuts, 81 shall be
twenty-one, and she will be twenty-six Not
enough difference to signify. And" he ut
tered with grin, as his aunt hounced
wrathfully out of the room, you'll get
your walking ticket. old lady, when I'm
married. I'd as soon have deaths head
and bones around the place any time"
He was sitting curled up in the easiest
chair in the library, reading book, half an
hour afterwards, when the door opened,
and his father came in.
Something in the paternal glance and
movement struck the boy.
II never saw father looking so young and
bright before,n he thought. Something
must have pleased him very much. Per-
haps Aunt Soph is going to marry some
old fogy or other, and the coast will be
clear"
$50 you knew all about it, GuyP' said Mr..
Paley, laughing.
"About what, sirl'
"About my engagement"
The book fell with a crash to the floor.
"Your what, fatherl"
10 a11
Il. Well, I'm glad you are pleased, my boy,
and Dorcas says she viii always love you as
If you were her own son. AS a general
thing don't approve of stepmothers, but
you and Dorcas love each other so dearly
that Why, Guy, what is the matters"
for the boy had rushed out of the room
with an odd suffocating sensation in his
throat.
He met Dorcas coming up the garden path
with bunch Of scarlet holly berries in her
hand.
"Dorcas," he cried, "Dorcas, you are as
false as the serpent womanl You beau"
She comprehended him in an instant,
though his voice was cholSed in silence.
She flung away the scarlet cluster and put
her arms tenderly about him.
"Dear Guy" she whispered, 81 love him;
but if you are unwiling-if it takes away
any of the home feeling for you, it only re-
mains for you to say so, and-n
Her voice died away, her head dropped on
his shoulder.
There was an instant's silence, then Guy
said, bravely:
"Well, so let it be. Ny father is trump,
and you are the only woman alive who is
worthy of him. And suppose people would
say six years was too much difference in
our ages, although how they're to get over
the fifteen years between you and father 1
don't know" he added, with a forced laugh.
And then and there Guy Paley learned his
first lesson Of self abnegation.
Dorcas picked up her holly berries and
went into the library where her promised
husband stood.
81 have just seen Guy" she said.
'Isn't he pleasedl"
Eyes, / think he is" hesitated Dorcas.
"Guy is strange boy-a noble nature. /
am not sure, Horace" she added, with
dimness in her eyes, "that would marry
you'll could not always have Guy with me-"
Sand my true wife Will be Guys true
mother!" said Mr.. Paley, drawing Dorcas
tenderly to his side.-Pittsburgh Chronicle.