Waterbury evening Democrat., 1892-06-04
CHAPTER xxv11.


 Janet's little girl, with the quick in- tuition of childhood, had discovered that John was 8 man after her own heart. When he was about the house or yard she followed him about like a small shadow, until tired out she would cry out in most peremptory fashion: ''Tote me, Don," and John would obediently perch her on his shoulder, where with one arm about his neck sha would cling like monkey. Every time he went to town, his return was for her season of great rejoicing. She would rum mage his pockets, and pull out the small treasures purposely put there for her delectation, with shouts of delight.
 Several young men of the vicinity, at tracted by the handsome young widow, began to pay occasional visits to the house. They met with polite but dis tant treatment from Janet, and with open hostility from Dot, who would have none of them
 On one occasion, one of them bolder than the rest, having Dot to himself out on the porch, ventured to ask that young lady, if she would not like to have another papa, whereupon Miss Dot set up a vociferous howl ''I won't have no- body but Poppy Don-'oo go' way" and retreating inside promptly made known the situation to her mother and grand mother. The young man whose indis- erect question had raised the storm re- treated in great haste, and John being present but Mrs. Gregory to notice portunity to say to Janet:
 Yz an end to these young mems visits which seem so unwelcome?"
 Janet was greatly distressed
 "Ohl mother, how can you be so cruel? You know that can never think of such thing again as marrying, and could not be so unjust as to give such a worthless remnant to a good man like John, even if he should want me, of which I have no evidence"
 Mrs Gregory looked sharply at Janet's flushed face and fearful eyes, said ''Pshaw," and went about her business.
 The occurrence ranlxled in Dots mind, and when John was sitting down by the fire that evening after supper, as was his custom, to spend an hour with the family before going to his own room, she climbed on his lap, put both arms around his neck, squeezed him hard, and gravely announced:
 "I des loves 'oo, Don"
 There was a general laugh, which of tended the little lady, whereat she be. gan to air her grievances. Janet, seeing what was coming, seized her, protesting most vehemently, and carried her off to bed. Janet did not return, and Mrs. Gregory, who was Q shrewd woman in her way, told John of the small tempest of the day. John sat quietly for many minutes; then he spoke, as if thinking aloud:
 'T shall ask Janet to marry me, and If she declines must leave here. can not stay here and see her marry anoth- CT man."
 "John, I am surprised at you. If l did not know you to be a brave man would think you coward. Now, am going to take your affairs In hand. I don't know which Is the most foolish, you or Janet. She thinks she must be loyal to the memory of that man who did his best to embitter her life, and you talk about running away like school boy from a whipping, and both of you fairly in love or am no judge"
 "Do you really think Janet cares for me?''
 ''I do not think atall, know 1t. Now, tomorrow, you ask her to marry you, and if she declines, you tell her that you will give her one more year to make up her mind, and if she does not come around in that year then win give you leave to go."