Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1894-06-28

HlisUduu w" NOu4ull II
Go along" said Miss Belinda
4 never thought of such a thing Nor
him neither. Go out, Fannie, and
pick a mess of white Antwerp rasp-
berries for tea and don't let me hear
no more such nonsense" "
Nonsense :" echoed Fannie, laugh
ing, as she went off with a blue-eiged
bowl in her hand. But I think it
isn't nonsense at ALL
And among the Antwerp raspber-
ry-yines she talked the matter over
with Julian Hall, Squire Carbuncle's
nephew, who had come to the farm for
weeks trout fishing, and who had
developed a very strong propensity
for reading novels under the old pear
tree that overshadowed Miss Bubbles
garden fence.
Wouldn't it be NICE said Fannie
Splendid" Julian answered, lean
ing over to put handful of raspber-
ries into the blue-edged bowl.
Whether he leaned TOO far and lost
his footing or how it happened he did
not know; but certain it is that, just
at that moment one of the beehiyes
fell-crash-over among the raspber-
rv bushes. Fannie fed in wild fright,
and Julian himself, recovering his bal
ance as best he might, was driven to
ignominous flight
"Who did that" said Squire Car
buncle, issuing out of the door.
I'm afraid I did, sir" confessed
Julian.
And what am | to say to Miss Be
linda Bubble .ternly demanded ms
uncle.
I'm sure. sir, l don't know an
swerod Julian
"Such thing never happened be-
fore in all the years that we have lived
as ncighbor to each other, said Mr..
CarbuncIe. "Of course, the bees have
got away and the glass honey-boXes
are broken
a am very sorry, sir, said Julian.
The squire, an eminently Just man,
harnessed up his gray pony and drove
to town the next day. That evening
he called at the Bubble farmhouse
with square package, neatly done up
in brown paper, in his arms. Fannie
Halkett came to the door
My dear, said Squire Carbuncle,
"is your cousin at home?'
Yes sir said Fannie, huttering
all over and showing the way into the
best parlor, where the blue paper
shades were down and the stuffed owl
on the mantel transfxed the chance
visitors with its eyes Of glittering
green glass.
"TeIl her I've called on very partIc-
ular business" said the squire, sono-
rously.
Yes, sir. said Fannie and away
she ran.
Cousin Belinda, take your hair out
Of those crimping-pins at once, said
she; and let me fasten this blue rib
bon bow at your throat He in the
parlor. He's come to propose.
Nonsense, Fannie!
But he has He as good as told
me sor' cried Fannie, standing on
tip-toe to kiss Miss Belinda withered
apple of cheek. Do make haste
Don't keep him waiting. Men don't
ike to be kept waiting And she
fairly pushed Belinda Bubble into the
best room.
Miss Bubble, said the squire, sol
emnIy, rising to his feet, Il have
called to ask if you will accept
yes, Seth, cried Miss Belinda,
Hinging herself into his arms. Luck
iIv he had bethought himself to lay
the square package down on the Ia
ble YES, dear Seth, l will. Fannie
told me YOU was going to propose to
me. but I didn't believe it. And I'll
be as good wife to YOU as l know
how. And oh, Seth, I've always
| loved YOU ever since We We're young
people and went to singing school
together.
The squire opened and shut his
mouth as if it were some curious piece
Of machinery.
Eth - said he, staring mechanically
/ at the owl.
Il hope, faltered Miss Bubble,
you don't think I've been too hasty
I in accepting your offer?"
No. Belinda, no, said Mr.. Car
buncle, swallowing down lump in
his throat 4 am much obliged to
YOU for saying yes, and l am quite
convinced, my dear, that You will be
a good wife to me-