The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1892-07-07

Five thousand pounds. Twenty
five thousand dollars" he muttered
to himself. "Who would have thought
Janet would ever be so rich? / sup
| pose that she won't be willing to re-
main as my housekeeper any longer.
Can't blame her. But how am going
to get along without her? Nobody
knows exactly how to suit me in every
respect as she does"
John Gregory walked on awhile in
thoughtful silence.
Twenty-Five thousand dollars is q
good deal OF money" thought he. II
wonder what she'll do with it? It
would be great deal of service to me.
With the help Of it, could double my
business"
John Gregory thought awhile long
er, and new and happy idea flashed
upon him.
"There is one way of accomplishing
both these desirable Understanding
Janet in my family and obtaining
possession OF this money-and that is
to marry her"
| John was at first startled by his
thought, but the longer he har-
bored it the more reasonable it
| seemed. .:.~.
"To be sure, she isn't handsome,
nor is she very young for that matter.
However, she must be some few years
younger than myself, and when aman
reaches forty-eight, he can't afford to
be very particular on that point.
POUNDS! Pm half determined-yes;
will propose, and that without waste
OF time" 49,.
John Gregory went home to dinner
| a little earlier than usual.
It so happened that Janet, for a
wonder, had not succeeded so we'll as
usual with the dinner, and this, know
ing as she did how particular he was,
| made her feel nervous and fdgety.
However, to her surprise, he ate with
out appearing to remark that any
thing was out OF the way. He seemed
unusually abstracted, as if he were in.
tently thinking OF something. At
length he said abruptly
"Janet, did you come to this coun-
try in the year 184O?" .# "
eyes, sir" answered Janet, in sur
| prise. "But how did you know?''
IL believe you told me once, Jan
Another silence. q
"Howlonghave you been with me?"
Eight years, SIR"
"1ou have been very faithful. T
have been very we'll satisfied with
your services" >....@.., II.
Il am sure I am glad Of it, sir"
SAID Janet, in Increased surprise. II
am sorry the dinner isn't better cook
ed to-day, but things seemed to work
contrary" $500. ,s". .-.-.r-.
'The dinner is excellent" said Greg
Dry. lit couldn't be BETTER"
"We'l, I DECLARE" thought Janet, 81
wonder what's come over him. ex-
pected q scolding."
II hope that you will always stay
with me, Janet"
II am sure, sir" said the astonished
house keeper, 1 shall be happy to do
SO; that is, if you are satisfied with
me-"
Satisfied with you! Perfectly. But
1t is not as housekeeper that de-
sire you to remain with me-" IN
mot as a housekeeper!' calculated
Janet. 81 am sure" thought she, ri
don't know what's come over Mr..
Gregory. He does not appear at all
as he usually does'' * st..
"No, Janet; not as a housekeeper.
You have served me so we'll in that
capacity that I am convinced you
would make an admirable wife,
''Oh, Mr.. Gregory!" exclaimed the
housekeeper, b]ushing.
"You will not be so cruel as to re-
fuse me?" -. --.-
'"But you are only joking, SIR
"Joklng l was never more Sc
rious." -:
II have always thought a great
deal OF you, Mr.. Gregory" said the
spinster, hesitating, "and if you de-
sire 1T very much, II don't know
that | have any objection"
The enraptured Gregory jumped to
his feet, and crossing to the opposite
side of the table, imprinted a chaste
salute upon the faded cheek Of the
staid spinster. ..-
You shouldn't do so, Mr.. Greg
Dry" said she with a faint scream.
"Why shouldn't l, as we are going
to be married? But say, Janet, will
you be ready to have the ceremony
performed tomorrow"
| "To-morrow!' repeated Janet,
startled by his precipitancy. II
haven't got anything suitable to wear.
1t will take at least three weeks to get
ready"
"No such thing" said Gregory,
promptly. "Just put on the best
dress you have. That will do well
enough, AS for the fnery which, I
suppose it's natural enough for a
woman to want, you shall have as
much OF that as you want after mar
riage." ~
| "But-"
81 won't hear any but" said Greg.
Dry, decisively. "say yes or no.
Will you be ready to be married to-
morrow at twelve?"
eyes said Janet, who had been so
much in the habit Of obeying her en-
ployer, that she did not realize the
different relationship he was about
to hold to her.
"Then will tell the Reverend Mr..
Smith to be here at that time. By
the way, I shall prefer to have it a
! private ceremony with ont onv I'm