Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1890-03-07

tage were ready for the young mistress
and in her simple, loving way Hannah
WAS ready too. | wondered sonetf mes II
Gay-yoGug Mrs. Ross ter, l mean-bad
taken half so much pride and pleasure in
her tTOlsseau as Hannah did in the CON
tents of that old painted box. was quite
aware that the gray French merino that
had been her mistress Christmas gift still
lay there, wrapped IN whitey-brown paper
with the half dozen hem-stitched hand
kerchiefs that had been my present, care
fully boarded for future use.
Hannah blushed a little guilty. when
asked her about the gray merino
1T does not seem to matter what gowns
l wear when Luke is not by to see Them
she returned, simply; Il only care to bs
neat and clean, so l am saving all nv
pretty things until we are married There
is the blue print Molly sent me, and some
collars and cuffs from lydia living there
with the merIno. Molly mas promised. me
nv wedding-dress continued Hannah
bashfuly. I'VE nave talked of it already,
though have not made up my mind TO
wed just vet, for all the nonsense Luke
talks. 1t is to be graz. too" she went on.
Luke has fancy for gray gowns; and it
is TO have silky raised spots on the stuff,
like Miss Gays, Only not so fine.''
Yes. indeed: but dare say the stuff
one will be just as pretty"
Mother was married in Il japanese silk
dress: Molly has a bit of it still in a work
bag: but Molly says she does not hold
with silk dresses and silver spoons for
working folk. There is Martin of Scrog-
gins Mill has promised LFddv a gold
watch and chain and a silk gown that
will stand alone for richness, but Molly
says Lyddy is far too sensible to be bought
at that price"
Indeed, hope so, for Lydia's own
sake"
"Oh. there's no fear of Lvddv taking uu
with Martin" returned Hannah, conf
IDENTIFY; "she is bound TO be single like
Molly. Folks cannot all be mated, Molly
saws and it is best TO be content with 8
solitary lot than wed fool. Molly never
had much opinion of men folk. She
saws they want a deal of waiting on, and
are fine and helpless compared TO women"
MOllv's strong minded views somewhat
amused me, but she was certainly tower
Of strength to her young sisters. One
could not help sympathizing with Han.
nah's happiness; she was so simple and
honest: she had such faith in her lovers
projections: she so thoroughly believed in
herself and him.
After time grew almost as much in.
terested in the cottage arrangements AZ
Hannah did. / was quite excited when
Luke brought home pig to inhabit the
new sty by the kitchen garden, and spoke
of investing his next weeks wages in q
cock and some hens. | found Hannah
nearly crying for JOY one day over a letter
from home Molly had cOaxed her father
to spare the brindled COW as Hannah's
marriage portion.
as it not good of Molly9' she cried, dry.
ing her eyes on her apron. ITO think OF
nv having Buttercup for my very own,
and of the sweet new milk for Luke's por-
ridge that she will give US every morning.
IT makes me cry with happiness, Mise
Fenton, to think how proud Luke will be.
Molly has been mother to US girls ever
since ] can remember, and we have not
haap half CrnO6 pOOIIrb 70 her ~
had not been to Putney for some time,
and it struck me that coy afternoon
with Aunt Agatha would do me good.
Perhaps it was the heat, but ! certainly
felt little restless. We were to start for
Netherton in another ten days, and !
thought l could be more easily spared just
now I thought it would be nice to sur
prise Aunt Agatha with an unexpected
visit When | told my mistress this she
seemed amused.
You had better let Mrs. Keith know
beforehand, Merle. Suppose you were to
find her out; that would be a serious dis
appointment to you both"
But | refused to entertain this obtec
ton; had never found Aunt Agatha out
yet.
VERY well. do as you like" she replied,
pleasantly. sit is rather a hot afternoon:
but | see you have made up your mind.
You are just a little home-sick, Merle, and
want a comfortable talk with your aunt.
If your uncle could see you nome, nave
no objection to your remaining all the
evening. Mrs. Morris will look after Reg
gle"
shook my head over this proposition.
Uncle Keith was very kind, but | could
not trouble him to escort me. My mis-
tress was very particular about this. She
would never hear of my being out late
alone
at is all very well for Hannah or TRAY
ers," she would say, "but in your case it
is different" And, indeed, in many other
ways she watched over me as though /
were young sister.
(Ta ha continued \