Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1891-06-24
A Love STORY.

sun, IOr UnG duGuInu uay WAS COlu, Wu6u
heard some one whistling, and, looking up,
there was young Squire Turner, with his
arms folded on the gate, looking Over.-
When he caught my eye be laughed, l
blushed, and arose and made him cour-
tesy.
He was handsome gentleman, the squire,
and the hand from which he pulled the
glove shimmered in the sun with pearls
and dsmonds, and he was bonnY to look at
with his hair like spun gold in the October
sunlight.
When I courtesied he bowed, making his
curls dance over his shoulders, and said -
"I've spoiled one pretty picture, that
could have looked at all day, but I've made
another as pretty, SO I'll not grieve. May
| come in ?"
"And welcome, sir" said I, and aet a
chair, for he was grandfathcr's landlord !;
bat for all that felt uncomfortable, for
was not used to fine company.
He talked away, paying me more compli-
ments than l was used to, for grandmother,
who brought me up, said, Handsome is as
handsome does" and Beauty is but skin
deep"
Since Pm telling the story I'll tell the
truth. 1 had done wrong about one thing.
Neither of the old folks knew that I wore
Evan Locke's ring in my bosom, or that
we'd taken vow to each other beside the
hawthorn that grew in the church lane. l
never meant to deceive, but grannie was old
and little hard, and that love of mine was
such a sweet secret. Besides, money seems
to outweigh all else when people have
struggled all their lives through to turn a
penny. and they knew Evan was poor,
struggling young surgeon. l thought I'd
wait while until l could sweeten the news
with the fact that he'd begun to make his
fortune.
GrannIe came in from the dairy five min
utes after the squire was gone and heard
he had been there. | didn't tell her of his
fine speeches, but thnre was keybole to
the door she came through and l have
guess she heard them.
That night we had mething else to think
of. Misfortunes had come upon grandfather;
but didn't foresee that when the half years
rent should come due not penny to pay it
with would be fonnd.
All this time Evan Locke and had been
as fond as ever of each other and he came
as often as before to talk with grandpa on
the winter nights; and still every little
while our young landlord, Squire Tuner,
would drop in and sit in his lazy way and
watch me knit or spin. Once or twice he
was flushed with wine and over-bold, for
he tried to kiss me. But squire or not, l
boxed his ears for his pains, and no softer
than l could help either.
l could not help his coming, nor help see-
ing him when he came, and l did not de-
serve that Evan should bs angry with me.
But he was. Eh, 50 high and mighty, and
spoke as though one like the squire could
mean no good by coming to so poor place
as the schoolmaster's.
He made me angry and l spoke up.
"For that matter, the squire would be
glad to have NE promise to marry him."
said l. Gle thinks more of me than"
"Maybe you like him better !" said Evan.
81 don't say that replied I. "But bad
temper and jealousy scarce ever make me
over-fond of another. pray may never
have husband who will scold me.''
For he had been scoiding me. No other
name for it.
Well, Evan was wro-b with me, and l
with him--not heart deep, though, l
thought-and did not sac him for more
than week. l was troubled much, though
l knew he would como round again, and
mayhap ask my pardon. For before you
are wed you can bring your lover to his
senses.
| So l did not fret after Evans absence
nor quite snub Squire Turner, who liked
me more than ever. But one night grand
father came in, and shutting the door. stood
between grandmamma ard me, looking at
me, and so strangely that we both grew
frightened. At last he spoke
I've been to the squire's," said he
For the first time had to tell him that
could not pay the rent due"
opened my lips. Grandmamma's hand
covered them. Grandpa drew me to him.
S'Thou'rt young, lass" said he, land
they are right who called thee pretty
Child-couId's st like the squire well enough
to wed him ?'
"Ea % cried grandma. Sure, yon'ie
not wandering?'
squire Turner asked me- for this lass OF
ours tonight. Of all women in the world
there is but one he loves as he should his
wife, and that is our Agatha"
Il dreamt of golden rings and white
roses on Christmas eve," cried grannie.-
81 knew the lass would be lucky.''
But ! put my head on grandfather q
shoulder and hid my face. The truth must
out, knew.
swift have him and be rich lady?''
said grandpa.
| And when he had waited for an answer |