Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1891-03-06

self out. q"
1t was true. John Scarsby had said tile
same thing time and again to his mother;
but lie said it now with genuine earnest
ness, looking at her as did so, and Sc.
cretly wondering how lac should break
to her the tidings of an impending
daughter in law. Aud Naomi Nuttiug,
of all persons, the woman whom MrS
Scaisby designated as "that poor. for
lorn old maid.
John was a brave man, Tut there are
more kinds of courage than one.
Mrs Scarsby cried over the butter
beans she was cutting up for dinner.
:" won't have help in the house, :"
thought she. ~If John really wants q
woman around, why can't he get mar
riedg And / don't know no smarter
girl than Hlond Nutting. I've a great
mind to 60 and see IL she can't break
that ere contract with Squire Bagshot.
wish dared to speak right out to John
aboutit. He used to like Naomi, but
men are queer.
Naomi had just come in from weed
ing her late onion patch the next even
ing, when the squire arrived, all in his
best
Good evening. SQUIRE" said Miss
Nutting. ~Sit down till / light the
lamp.
Don't light it, said the squire sheep
ishly. II am partial to the twilight +"
:" amt, said Naomi II mostly like
to see what I'm doing. You've come
about business, / suppose?"
"Ahem-yes, admitted the squire.
Although he had told himself all day
long that Naomi Nutting would certainly
jump at his offer, he could not subdue .
certain nervousness at the last moment
very important business
Tat-tat-tat-t-ti came a knock on the
panels of the lilac shaded front door.
John Scarsby, arriving close on the
heels OF the squire, had perceived the
necessity of immediate action.
He was flushed, and breathed hard
with rapid walking, but he had screwed
his courage up
Naomi, said he, can speak to you
for one minutel"
Naomi. holding the lamp In one hand,
stared hard at him.
"Pm engaged just now, said she.
~Engaged2"
Squire Bagshot is here.
Il won't keep you long," said John;
Il want only a word.
Anything happened?" questioned
Naomi, in a sharp business tone.
mo, but" John drew quick breath
of vexation and embarrassment "Will
Won haar mo ont
The squire in the front room cleared
his throat loudly as Naomi conducted
John out into the back kitcaen.
Now. then. what is it2" she asked.
Did ever lover WOO maiden under
such discouraging circumstances
John fixed his eyes on the copper
boiler and blurted out his tender confess
sion almost in single breath. IL was
an awkward proceeding, but it was in
evitable.
Naomi, said he, II want a wife,
Will you have me?"
"No, thankee. john. said Miss Nut
ting moving away from him.
John stared at her and uttered gasp
What did you say?" stammered he.
II said nol'
"Pm too late, am II" the poor fellow
asked despairingly.
Yes, you are"
Won't you think it over?"
1t wouldn't be no use.
John went away completely dunn
founded, and Naomi returned to the
squire.
What business could that young man
possibly have with you, Naomi?" asked
the.squire, a little fretfully.
~It was private, said she, composedly.
Naomi, said Mr. Bagshot, plunging
headlong into the subject, ~Pm thinkin'
of gettin' married.
~Are your somewhat amazed.
Il am tired OF livin' solitary and
alone, and don't know of no one / like
better than you, aided Squire Bagshot.
Much obliged to you, Pm sure, said
Naomi
do you think you could learn to love
mef" said the squire, his hard face
softening into unwonted tenderness.
II don't know whether could or not,
but don't mean to try, said Naomi.
"Eh7" jerked out the squire.
"Pm engaged already" explained
Naomi
TO that shiftless young Scarsby?"
He isn't particularly shiftless that
know OF. Bnt it isn't to him, as it hap
pens.
IF you are really engaged what on
earth are you running the dairy busi-
ness for?" asked the squire, of whose
character delicacy was by no means Q
prominent trait
To earn money, to be sure. am to
marry rich man, and don't care to
go 20 him empty handed, or without q
decent wardrobe, such as other women
have
@Who is it?" demanded the squire.
%WelI, don't mind telling you, since
you ask me up and down." replied
Naomi. %The man who owns the New
Mountain Iron Works - Mr. Joseph
Alden.
The squire made a little gurgling
sound. as if he were Intellectually try
ing to swallow something. Joseph
Alden, the handsome, middle aged
Englishnan, the best catch in Cherry
county, engaged to Naomi Nutting.
whom he - Squire Bagshot - had
mentally characterized as "a poor, soli-
tary, friendless creeturl"
well, / suppose I'D better 60" ne
said, rising heavily.
Il don't know that you'll gain any
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