Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1891-10-22

intended to do about it,"
"And we did-nothing, said Kitty.
who, over her mothers shoulder, had
read the letter with sorrowful.
startled eyes.
what could we do? I meant to ask
Deacon JacksOn's advice" said Mrs.
klpson, cor to borrow money from
Cousin Hunt Halliday out in Jersey.
But somehow there never seemed to
be a good chance. [ don't see why on
earth these people should be in such
q hurry"
And she began to cry in a weak,
cOnvulsive manner.
Don't fret, mother, DEAR" said
Kitty. "lt's too late for that sort of
thing now! Don't you think we
might talk to Mr.. Ross about it,"
Il don't want Mr.. Ross prying into
my affairs" said Mrs Kipson.
"But, MOTHER" pleaded Kitty, "ey-
cry one says what excellent Judgment
he has, and how
ooh, everybody, everybody" re-
torted Mrs. Kipson. "And you, I
suppose, are willing to fall down and
worship him with the rest"
Indeed, I've no idea of doing any
such thing!" said Kitty, bursting out
laughing in spite Of herself. And
she felt, more than ever, that this
was no propitious opportunity to
breach the subject of her engage
ment.
Next Tuesday. At the Mer-
chants Exchange, New York! Sold
at auctiOn."
Mrs. Kipson unconsciOusly repeated
the words to herself as she wandered
up and down the rooms, viewing the
familiar hooks and corners which she
should see no more. 1t was plain,
unpretending farmhouse, but it was
her home. She had no other place to
go. Kitty might get married to Mr..
ROss-she thought it more than likely
that such a thing might transpire-
but she wasn't going to play mother
in-laW in any mans house. The Ross
place was a fine one, she lneW-they
had recently built on tW0-stOry adj
dition, with d dairy at the back, and
put in spring water and a gas ma
chine. But the house never yet was
built that was big enough for d man
and his mOther-in-laW.
Poor Mrs. KipsOn. She was lonely
enough now. She was losing home,
Kitty, everything.
at isn't as if | were young" she
thought. I'm over forty now, and
there's only the dOwnhill Of life left
for me-"
In her minds eye she beheld her
self, like Old Hester Morris, passed on
from relation to relation, an unWel-
come guest everyWhere-a dependent
on grudgingly given charity.
at would be better to live with
Kitty and Mr.. Ross than that" she
thought kitty is at least my own
child. And then, if Dear me,
Mr.. Ross, how you startled me! I'm
sure | never heard you knock"
Mr.. Kipson sunk, pale and con-
scious of heavy eyelids and red eyes,
into chair. 1t was all coming now
MIR. Ross was going to ask her for
Kitty. And of course she must be
prepared with some answer or other
on the instant.
a did not knock" said Mr.. Ross.
II found the great door open, and so
I came directly in. Am | disturbing
yOu?"
"N-no," said Mrs. Kipson, family.
won't you sit down."
Il don't wonder Kitty likes him, F."
she thought.
q
KipsOn, about myself" said MI. Ross,
nlunging abruptly into his subject.
4 am thinking of marrying again
"Yes?" family murmured the
widow. =,
Il hope you do not think it unWise. "
@N-nO. not if you have carefully
considered the matter" said Mrs
KipsOn.
"Of course I am not in the flush OF
Youth" said Mr.. Ross: but then,
neither are you quite young girl.
"Me." almost shrieked Mrs. klpson'
"Nr. Ross, what on earth are you
talking about?" r.,
about YOU" said the widoWer. L
wont Won to be my wife, Mrs. Kip
son. ,,
Mrs. Kipson. "Do you mean TO say
that it isn't Kitty you want?" -
~What should l want OF Kitty:
caid Mr.. Ross, changing his seat TO
one close beside the little widow,
and resolutely taking possession of
bar hand. "Does October mate with
Anril? Should l be happy with a
child like that. as long as there was
the least possible chance OF winning
YOU for my own?" ~ >,
20 q never dreamed of such thing, ,"
cold Mrs Kinson. historically. But
~but-if you really think | could
ni' And so they became engaged then
and there. I-ie.od ber
stepfather-elect with the most cor0iai
affection. o,ouou cold