Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1891-08-28
A MODERN WOOING.
BY GERTRUDE MORTON.


"Hal, Gld you carry the rackets in
before you came down here7"
Dorothy closed her book with a snap
and threw it down upon the rock beside
her.
because if you didn't we ought to go
home. 1t looks like shower"
The young man thus appealed to made
no reply. Clothed in that fantastic garb
which the liberal college education of
to-day renders necessary to the moral
standing Of gilded youth, he was reclin-
ing in studiously graceful attitude be-
side the speaker.
His eyes were fixed upon a fishing
fleet fast disappearing beyond the hori-
zon. A meditative look adorned his sun
burned face.
''Hal, spoke to you"
Still the recumbent figure moved not
''Henry Richardson"
This proved effectual. The young
man quickly raised himself upon one
elbow
"Oh, beg your pardon, Dorothy"
he said. "What was it that you asked
me! Why, yes, think you are quite
right"
cit is very evident that you are not
quite right in your mind" the young
girl replied, gazing compassionAtely at
him. "What is the matter, Hal?"
"Nothing,"
eyes, there is, too. You can't de-
ceive me, you know, so there is no use
in trying. What new scrape have you
been getting into?"
"None at al. That is, you wouldn't
call it a 'scrape' exactly" Hal grlnned.
Gin fact, I've been unusually good of
late, as you might have observed had
not your thoughts been upon other
scenes intent"
sob, indeed! Well, the fact that
you have been good is sufficient cause for
a revulsion of feeling of some kind.
Now, want to know what is troubling
you"
"You even deign to be interested in
my mental condition."
''Certainly. Have I not the family
good at heart. Speak at once"
Thus brought before the tribunal Of
an avenging little goddess clothed in
scarlet gown, and in righteous anxiety
for her familv's welfare. Hal was silent
to stoms she'll that lay beside him.
Then he raised himself suddenly to q
sitting posture and gave his companion
the benefit of his cogitations.
81 say, Dorothy, let's get married."
Dorothy Hall came to gallant race
and she had the repose of a Princess.
For a second there was silence, while
the pretty color left her cheeks. When
she spoke it was in voice that rivaled
Halls own for GOODNESS.
''And why, pray, should we do that?"
'You know | am going over to Lon
don in about two MONTHS" the young
man continued, UNDECIDED, ''and l don t
see any reason why we can't be married
and go together"
Dorothy's dignity nearly forsook her !;
nevertheless she managed to put consld-
cradle surprise. even reproach, into her
ejaculation:
"Why, cousin Henry"
''For heavens sake, child" cried Hal,
''don't air that cousin illusion any long
er. 1t IS worn threadbare.
"If you object to me for cousin l
shouldn't think you would want me for a
nearer relative" There was mischief in
the girls brown eyes.
81 should think you might see," re-
Piled Hal you know, my dear, that
it is the proper thing for man to be en-
gagged as soon as he leaves college, and
as long as we've no need to consider the
question of bread and butter, don't see
why we should not be married.
you know as we'll as I do, Dorothy"
he went on, warming up on the subject
-''you know perfectly we'll that this
thing has been planned ever since we
came into existence. Imagine the
worthy grandmother's ire did we cross
her in this respect. Mother wants 1t,
Aunt Jane wants it--every man alive OF
them expects it. And want it, by way
of afterthought, apparently, as be
paused for reply.
Dorothys mind moved swiftly, and
the stages through which it travelled
during Halls little speech were many.
Angry was its last hating place. Very
evenly, but in tones Enthusiastically sug-
gestive OF icebergs and glaciers, she
said
81 don't suppose it makes any differ
ence whether | want it or not"
This evidently inspired m entirely