Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1890-11-07

N' 0"' 0"1 III NN' " iiAttAlitloh uiAii
Lofty returned, flaming milk-pail
in either hand.
81 really Think she broke out at
last, "that it would lie good idee for
Alexander to get MAJ ried"
$50 do l." faid Lofty, from the
back room, where SIC was straining
the milk into a row o glittering pans.
II don't know" sharply retorted
Mrs. Crisp, ''that it'sany of your busi-
ness, miss!"
ooh, yes, it is" said Lofty. "Its
everybody's business why Aleck Crisp
don't get married. There isn't soul
in the village but is talking about it,"
''What do they say?7 questioned
Mrs. Crisp.
"They say you won't let him"
Mrs. Crisp moved uneasily in her
chair.
81 was sort O. set agin it." owned
she. "But l amt any longer. Let
me see-there's Huldah Crump-"
"She's too DID," interposed Lofty,
who was now scalding out the milk
paris.
"IIold your tonguel" said Mrs.
Crisp, sharply. "And there's Peninah
Foster"
"Aleck Crisp would never marry a
girl with a nose all on one side. like
Peninah!" cried Lofty, who had drawn
out tie round table and was covering
it with a patterned cloth for
tea.
She was light in her movements
and swift, like humm ng-bird.
"Hallie Van Vorst," Mrs. Crisp
counted up on her fingers. "and Lucy
Barrow ="
"rhey'd any one Of 'em marry your
Aleck," said Lofty searching in the
cupboard for the spoons, off they had
The chance.
81 hate to give him up to a stran-
GER" sighed Mrs. Crisp, "but if I'm
to be helpless like this, something
must be done" Ill
"Ohl" said Lofty, with toss Of her
head. go anyone that marries,
Aleck has got to marry you, tool Hal-sI
lie Van Worst never would stand that,
Mrs. Crisp, and Hullah Crump has
nice stiff temper of her own tool"
'Lottie Ansel, do wish"
4, "Lcok here, N;rs Crfsp,'' said Lot1
tie advancing with the bread board in
one hand and the sharp knife in an
other, "I'll tell you what. When
Alexis wife makes it too hot to hold
you here, you come and live with me.
"l'll take care of you if you do scold
Inc sometimes"
"This amt a jestin' subject, Lofty"
said the old woman, severely. "Hul-
dab Peninah, Halle Van Worst and
Lucy Barrow"
esquire IIaddon's Victorne is
rather spoony on your son Aleck,"
suggested Lofty.
81 don't know what spooney
cans" said Mrs. Crisp, coldy.
.Victorine Haddon and Frances Jane
odd-all of 'em smart, stirrin' gals.
don't know which like best of the
t.
"Draw lots, suggested mischievous
otv. "IIcre's Aleck's old hat.
rait minute till | write the names
slips of paper Let Aleck draw
+: II himself. That will settle it,"
@Nonsense!!.. .y....-... ,sj. Hrs, Crisp.
/ Though | don't Know WY that ain't
sensible away as any, arter all.
! i've me the pencil, Lofty, and a book
II write on. I'll write the names my
If. You'll be up to some of your
,icks."
e'No, | won't" said Lottie. "Hon-
II BRIGHT"
But Mrs Crisp persisted in writing
The names in her own cramped old
hand.
"I WONDER" said she, when she had
placed the slips of paper in the hat,
.swhat Aleck will say?"
Alexander Crisp came in TO tea a
little late. lie was tall, brown
skinned fellow, with sleepy hazel
ewes, silky brown beard and COM
posed way of taking everything for
granted. He poured a pocket hand
kerchief full of shining chestnuts into
his mothers lap as he entered.
II picked them up under the old
tree BY the bars" said he. "We'll
roast them, mother, after tea, and
here's a bunch of golden-rod for
Lofty. She likes posy on the ta-
ble."
"We've got something for you, too,
Mr.. Alexander" said Lofty, pertly.
eeYou are to shut your eyes and
draw"
"Draw what" said Alexander, in
his slow way.
"a wife," said Lofty. "Wherc'8
the hat, Mrs. Crisp?"
Alexander listened to his mothers
plan in perfect 81 ence. He looked
from Mrs. Crisp to Lofty and back
again.
"Whose idea was it?" said he at
length.
"Lotty's," said Mrs. Crisp.
$50 she wants me 10 get married?
..Of course / do" said Lofty.