The Sunday morning news. [volume] (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1886-1891, 1890-02-02

ulGnt. Due StlsAil TAKE nSr CHOICE uGLWe cen
US, and
He stopped abruptly, and turned upon
his heel, for Thomas Tyler and the farm
er's daughter were coming up the walk
bearing the basket of clothes between
them.
That evening, when the supper table
was cleared away, and Mr.. Tyler had
gone down the road to the village, Sam
ueI Dale, after some difficulty-for the
girl of late had been shy of his company
procured an interview with Susie Bar
clay.
sc has been on my mind to speak to
you. SUSIE" he said, 'sfor week, but
you would never give me the chance.
You know how matters have stood be-
tween us these three years. We have
kept company together ever since |
came to Barclay Farm, and though I've
never asked you to name the day.
think you've known my mind we'll
enough. I am not a man Of many
words, and l haven't the wit to hatter
you with soft speeches, but love you,
Sasie Barclay. WIN you take nae for a
husband this day month";
ia, Mr.. Daie!' said the girl, with a
toss of her pretty head, show you startle
mel Take you for husband, indeed
am too young to mary this long while
yet / am sure l don't know my own
mind three days together. And I am
afraid | shouldn't make you a good
wife, and it's better for both of US to
wait while, and"
He interrupted her: "Susie, I have
courted you three years. If wait long
er, it will be to see another man carry
you off in month. You've known me
long enough to learn your own mind
about me. You must take me now, or
you must let me 60"
II am sure you are free to go if you
Ike" she said, flushing; s.there's no.
body to hinder you. You have no right
to speak to me like that. am not your
servant, Samuel Dale. never prom
ised to marry you, and perhaps | never
will"
''You tell me that said the young
man, bitterly, latter keeping me in
hand all these years. Susan Barclay,
are you going to play me false, that you
may marry a man you never heard Of
three months ago:'
"Who told you was going to marry
any one?"
''Do 1 need to be told? Haven't l
watched you since the day that man set
his foot in your fathers house? And
because / trusted you, and thought
you'd known me too long to be taken
with newcomer, you carried on your
counting before my eyes. You false,
hard hearted grill But no, you never
were that. It's only that this smooth
faced coxcomb has bewitched you. Oh,
SusieI can't you tell hiIn there's an hon
est heart that's loved you true these
three years, and SO with frank word
send him packing?'
''If it's Mr.. Tyler you are talking
about" said Susie Barclay, ssyou may set
your mind at rest, for there's nothing
but friendship between US. Hes never
SO much as asked me to marry him; but
he's pleasant, civil spoken gentleman,
that doesn't call people names behind
their backs; and I'll not stay here to be
scolded, Samuel Dale; and I'll die an old
maid before I'll marry the cross husband
you will make"
SIS that your last word to me?" he
said, sorrowfully. "Then I have my
answer, and Barclay Farm is no place
for me, though thought to spend my
days here. It's manners for the old love
to go when the new love comes. Well,
good night, Susie. wish you well,
though you've given me sore heart to
carry; but curses on the man that's come
between me and my grip
She stole sidelong glance, and when
she saw how his ruddy cheek had turned
pale, and his mouth was set in a gloomy,
Fesolute expression, her heart softened
toward him. But she did not put her
pity into words. She listened to his slow,
heavy steps as he mounted the stairs to
his chamber, till the gate opened with
sharp click, and she heard Thomas Tylers
brisk tread as he came up the walk.
Then she ran to the kitchen glass to ar
range the knot of pink ribbons under her
chin, and thought no more of Samuel
Dale that night.
The poor fellow could not sleep for his
aching heart: and when, an hour later,
his room mate came in, whistling softly
to himself, with his black eyes shining,
Samuel Dale lay and watched him from
between his half closed lids.
The man took writing materials from
his trunk, and was soon blIsily at work,
bending closely to his task. He appeared
to be making copy of letter spread
out before him; and when it was com
pleted, and he held up the two docu-
ments side by side, it seemed to Samuel
Dale at the distance where he lay that
the work was well done, for the copy
might have been mistaken for the orig
inal. Afr. Tyler scanned the result Of his
labor critically, nodded his head once or
twice in appreciation; then, locking the
papers in his trunk, betoolS himself TO bed.
II.
The farmer was twice surprised the
next day. Samuel Dale announced his
intention of leaving the farm when his
year was out, and his daughter, with
smiles and bushes, informed him that
she had passed her word, provided he
was willing, to take Thomas Tyler for
husband.
"Why, Susie said the old man, "you
strike me all of a heap! Sammy Dale
has been waItin' for you these three
years. and you are as good as promised