Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1890-12-11

work"
"Why isn't it, should like to know
so long woman can do it? At al
events, woman must pay her debts, s.
if you'll hurry up the tea I'll be off to tn
barn"
"And what shall we tell papa?"
"Oh, he'll think I've gone to singing
school with the Dyson girls, and dom
think it's my Christian duty to unde
ceive him." answered l.
But Notwithstanding the brave face
put upon affairs, my heartquivered little
the next day as | drove off toward Ma,
pleton, with the scarlet stain of sunrise
dyeing all the east. and my own cheeks
flushed with the keen morning air.
But it wasn't so bad, after all. With
pardonable egotism, supposed that ev.
cry one would be staring at me; but on
the contrary, young woman selling ap-
Piles might be the commonest sight in
the world, so little comment or surprise
did it apparently excite. Mr.. Holloway,
of the firm of Holloway Brothers, pro-
duce and commission merchants, didn't
want any apples speedily learned.
"Just bought shipload from Alba
n.y." said he, as carelessly as if ship
loads of apples were as common a pur-
chase as ten cents worth of tape. And
drove on, beginning to feel infinitesi-
mally small.
Mr.. Lovejoy could give me one dollar
a barrel. Apples wasn't worth no
more at this season of the yearI' And
1 whipped old Dobbin up, Determined
to carry them home again, sooner than
sell at that price.
At the next place where l stopped a
pleasant-looking, g,middle-aged man came
out and critically examined my apples
"Do they hold out like this all the way
DOWN." he asked.
"I'll warrant them" said 1, earelessly.
"How much?" he asked.
1.-TWO dollars and half barrel"
He reflected.
"It's good price," said he, as if he
was talking to his own vest button; ''but
then they look like good apples, and
we've tolerably large Western order to
fill. I'll see what my partner thinks"
He went back into the gloomy depths
of his store, and L, happening to glance
tiers over the door: "Hull & Avery"
My first impulse was to drive on and
leave the chance of a bargain behind
me; my next to sit still and await my
fate as Providence dealt it out to me-
And presently out came Willis Avery
himself
81 think we will take your load if
whyI" breaking short off; "it's Addy
Waltersr'
colored scarlet.
eyes," said l, as composedly as possi-
BILE. "Good morning, Mr.. Avery, shall
be obliged to you if you will examine the
fruit as speedily as possible, as 1 am in
a hurry"
"Oh, certainly" He looked as if
nipping frost had chilled his enthusiasm
in the bud, and secretly exulted within
myself.
Mr.. Hull bought the load of apples,
and said if had any more at the same
price-and of the same quality, he eau
tiously added-he would be happy to
take them. Willis Avery touched his
hat, and l drove away as loftily as
Queen Boadicea in her chariot of old.
"Just $35, counting in the melodeon
money" cried Kitty, gleefully. "And
now Mr.. Avery may come as soon as he
likesl'
She had scarcely spoken the words be-
fore there came knock at the door, and |
in walked no less a parsonage than Mr.
Willis Avery himself. l received him
with the air OF an empress.
"Your money is ready, Mr.. Avery"
81 was not thinking of the money,
Addy," said he, almost reproachfully.
"Do you think ones mind runs always
on money!"
"Mine does, a good DEAL" said 1,
laughing.
"But 1 had no idea you were reduced
to this l did not know"
"Mr. Avery, this is scarcely business
like" interposed.
"Addy," said he, abruptly. 81 admired
your spirit and courage to-day. l al
ways liked you as a girl, but now"
"Well?'' for he hesitated.
Il would do something more, if you
would let me. l would love youI"
l did not answer. In truth and in
fact, could not.
"Dear Addy, will you let me sign
back the old place to your father on our
day." he asked earnestly.
And somehow he got hold of my hand,
and somehow, before knew it, we were
"This is all very ridiculous of u.s."
said 1, particularly as L have resolved
never to marry since we had that quar-
rel about my dancing with Gerald Fer
guson at the Fourth of July picnic"
"I'll promise you never to be jealous
again." said Willis Avery"
Kitty was jubilant when she heard it
all.
"Our troubles are at an end" said she,
land all because you would take that
load of russets to town yourself"
"That doesn't follow" said l sagely.
But for all my philosophy l did be-
ieve little in fate, and I've always
liked russell apples since.-ChicdgO I
Ve1cS .