Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1892-03-18
obstacles he talks about9' shifted the old

lady.
"Oh, yes. But he says there's quite
touch of romance in the whole affair.
He's very-well, masterful sort of per-
son, Aunt. I can quite understand
| what he means when he says he enjoys
over coming difficulties. He isn't the
sort of person any one could trife with
easily"
al guess I will when get around.
What with the garden and the piano
and the dear knows what all-I'll be
grateful if he leaves US the clothes to
our backs. What else'd you talk
about2"
"Oh, great many things. Books
some. He's fond of German-and, oh,
l meant to tell you, he's coming TO-
morrow morning and going to read
little German with me-"
well, Sarah, you just see here. Let
| that young man know you've something
to do besides fool around with him. !
know; he wants to force me up. I'll see
DIR. Baker. 1 guess, before that Tom
Morrison gets me out of the house."
"Oh, Aunt! It's just because he
wants, he says, to familiarize himself
with the place"
"Well, he's got all the time there is
after we're gone. I want you should be
very distant with hinl-and, Sarah, I
guess you'd better not begin any German
readings"
During Mr.. Morison's next visit Sarah
appeared in her aunt's room with very
anxious expression.
"Aunt Polly" she said, with an effort
at composure, ''Mr. Morison's brought
the German books, and I don't know
what to say about TIP
"Well, go on" said the old lady, 81
suppose you're bent on it any way, and
perhaps he'll help you some"
She lay very still when she was alone,
sometimes with her eyes open, but gen
orally keeping them closed as pictures
from the past, and visions of what
might be ahead of her foated through
her brain, and the peculiar cruelty of
her brothers will smote her heart afresh.
When she had been left a widow forty
years ago, Ezra Turner had promptly
babe her stay on in the house which had
seen the happy years of her married life,
and which had been endeared to her by a
hundred different associations; when the
sorrows it had witnessed consecrated the
place almost as tenderly as its periods OF
Joy, while from the time she had brought
her little orphan niece Sarah home, a
new interest was given her life, yet one
inseparably bound up with the old man
sion. Ezra's will fell like thunderbolt
upon the old lady and her niece. In
deed, there was little question but that
it caused the weak turn which confined
her to her room; and as she lay there
now, family conscious Of the voices from
below, something like a wish never to
leave the old home save for final rest
irg place brought hot moisture into her
eyes.
1t seemed long time before Mr.. Mort
son went away. When the door had
closed upon him at last Mrs. Thorpe
alert for every sound, heard Sarah lin
gering on the stairs. Presently the girl
appeared. Her cheeks were scarlet.
"Well," demanded the old lady,
"what now?-what new things he going
to claim?"
Sarahs color now swept all her face.
ooh, Aunt Polly" she said, ''it's all
as queer as queer can be. Oh, if you'll
only let me. Please-oh, Aunt Polly,
1t seems Mr.. Morrison made his mind up
right away, the very first day, he says
and ne never wanted anything SO much
before"
''Sarah MoIyneux," said the old lady,
sitting upright, "what ails youa Speak
English"
'sOh, he's asked me to marry him,
Aunt Polly" said Sarah; "that's it; and
he says mustn't say no-he made all
that up about going to be married-or
rather, he says he was bound to make
me say yes"
Mrs. Thorpe remained rigid in the
same attitude for a moment without
speaking. Sarah flushed and paled and
flushed again.
"What'd you tell him'" at last de-
manded the OLD lady, with an accent OF
fine scorn. She was very proud of
Sarah's conquest. She knew all about
young Morrison, and was we'll aware how
highly he was esteemed. -
"Oh-he say it's settled" observed
Sarah; ''and of course--he was only
going on, he says, to try me about the
factory and the garden and the piano;
he says, bless your heart and he wouldn't
take thing belonging to you more'n
he'd steal"
''Only-my girl" said Mrs. Thorpe,
grizzly. But when Sarah bent to kiss
her there was the kind of tenderness in
the old woman's embrace that the girl