The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1891-10-21

thing now! Don't you think we
might talk to Mr.. Ross about it?"
II don't want Mr.. Ross prying into
my affairs" said Mrs. Kipson.
But, mother" pleaded Kitty, "ev-
cry one says what excellent Judgment
he has, and how"
"Oh, everybody, everybody" re-
torted Mrs. Kipson. And you, l
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 a plain,
unpretending farmhouse, but it was
go. Kitty might get married to Mr..
RoSS--she thought it more than likely
that such thing might transpire-
but she wasn't going to play mother
in-law in any mans house. The Ross
/ place was fine one, she kncw-they
had recently built on a twO-stOry adj
dition, with a dairy at the back, and
put in spring water and gas ma
chine. But the house never yet was
built that was big enough for man
and his mother-in-law.
Poor Mrs. Kipson! She was lonely
enough now. She was losing home,
Kitty, everything.
1T 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 behold her
self, like old Hester Morris, passed on
from relation TO relation, an unwel-
come guest cverywhere-a dependent
on grudgingly given charity.
1T would be better t6 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-
scisus of heavy eyelids and red eyes,
into chair. 1t was all coming now
Mr. Ross was going to ask her for
Kitty. And of course she must be
prepared with some answer or other
on the instant.
Il did not knock" said Mr. Ross.
Il found the great door open, and SO
] came directly in. Am / disturbing
you?"
Mo-" said Mrs. Kipson, family.
won't you sit DOWN."
Il don't wonder Kitty likes him."
she thought.
Il have called to see you, Mrs.
Kipson, about myself" said Mr.. Ross,
plunging abruptly into his subject.
Il 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 NATTER" said Mrs.
Kipson.
"Of course / am not in the flush of
/ YOUTH" said Mr.. Ross; "but then,
neither are you quite young girl"
Mel" almost shrieked Mrs. Kipson.
"Mr. Ross, what on earth are you
talking about?"
about you!" said the widower. Il
want you to be my wife, Mrs. Kip
SON."
observation-disclosures Kitty" cried
Mrs. KipsOn. "Do you mean to say
that it isn't Kitty you want!"
What should / want Of Kitty?'
said Mr.. Ross, changing his seat to
one close beside the little widow,
and resolutely taking possession of
her hand. "Does October mate with
April? Should i be happy with a
child like that, as long as there was
the least possible chance Of winning
you for my OWN"
Il never dreamed Of such a thing"
said Mrs. Kipson, Historically. But
buff you really think / could
make you happy"
And so they became engaged then
and there.
Kitty was delighted, and kissed her
stepfather-elect with the most cordial
affection.
Didn't foresee it all along?" said
she. "When mother, there, was az
blind rs a bat, bless her dear little
heart. And now, mother, what do
you think about widowers getting
married."
Don't, Kitty" said little Mrs.
Kipson, blushing just as prettily as
if she were eighteen instead of forty
one.
"Or widows either?"
"Now, Kitty, that isn't fair"
And then Kitty deemed it fitting
opportunity to contlde to her mother
her own engagement to one Mr.. Mich
olas Allen. Under other circum.
stances, Mrs. Kipson would probably