The Canton times. (Canton, Miss.) 1893-1906, 1894-08-10

OK. I guess It's only that you're in
love with somebody Matilda Price,
maybe, or Sophy Howells. Which is
it, Dan"
Dan received this suggestion with
supreme contempt. He made boast
of having never been in love, and
though the girls mentioned by his SIS
ter were the bellies of the neighbor-
hood, and had each tried the power OF
her charms upon him, he had remained
obdurately indifferent toward them.
Matilda, he said, was bold and loud,
and Sophia vain and affected, and it
| would take very nice girl indeed to
get him in love.
'Tt's most time to get ready for
church. amt it, DAM" said Martha,
glancing at the clock on the chimney
shelf. matilda ii have on her new
bonnet to-day. I tell you she'll be
worth looking at
''StuAf! I'm not going to church. !"
"Why, Dan'el!" said his mother,
reproachfully.
"What's the use, mother? just to
see old Deacon Ball asleep, and hear
Miss Beckey Jones screeching the
hymn out of tune, and listen to Par
son Tanners tiresome-"
'Dan'el!" interrupted his mother,
severely.
"Well, mother, I'm tired of it all.
I believe I'll go over to Railway and
see Bill Brewster. He's going on a
voyage nextweek-bound for the West
Indies-and wants me join him. But
haven't made up my mind yet about
the army-recruiting business that the
boys are 80 crazy about Ben Howells
says he'll enlist if I will. %
ooh, Dan'el p said his mother, tears
starting to her eyes
Dan was very fond of his mother,
and it went to his heart to see her in
tears.
ct don't say that I'll go mother, SO
long as you oppose it. But wish you'd
consent.
"Do let him go, mother p said
Maria, sharply. 'It will likely do him
good.
1t was late that evening when Dan,
who had spent the day at Roadway.
came home to supper. He noticed that
the parlor windows were lighted; but
that was always the case on Sunday,
when Maria's beaux were calling on
her.
As he stepped into the kitchen entry
he was greeted with savory odor of
pies and cake, and saw that the table
was nicely set with the best moss rose
bud tea set. Maria, who had heard
his step, came to meet him.
ooh, Dan, wanted to tell you
We've got company arrived-mother's
cousin Lydia and her daughter Dora.
They've been visiting Uncle Erasmus,
in Huttonville and to-day he's brought
them over to spend some days with u.s.
I hope they'll stay longer, for they're
such pleasant people! Step up stairs
and brush yourself up, for superb
be ready in a minute"
Bother I won't go in to supper.
They needn't know that I'm here"
''Now, Dan, wouldn't be doing
anything more.to vex mother. She's
worried enough about you already;
and I've left her in the parlor with
Cousin Lydia to talk over old times
and Dora's helping me to get supper.
She's the incest grill"
Maria disappeared; and Dan, as he
stood hesitating, had view into the
neat kitchen.
There he saw a slender and very
pretty girl, with dark eyes and hair,
arranging the cups and saucers, and he
noticed how daintilY she handled them,
and how light and graceful her mo-
tions were! And also her sweet voice,
as she laughingly replied to some re-
mark of Maria 1t struck him that
he had never before seen the kitchen
look SO bright and cheerful.
He stole up stairs, and carefully
brushed his hair and put on more
becoming tie. Then he came down
and was introduced to Dora.
She stepped forward with smile
and gave him her hand, and as Dan
met the clear, frank eyes, it seemed to
him that sort of sunshine stole into
his heart, partially dispelling its gloom
And as he sat and looked at and
listened TO her, his face gradually soft
ened and assumed cheerfulness which
it had not worn for many day.
He did not go out after supper, al
though he had half promised Ben
Howells to have talk with him about
that enlisting business. And next day
he hung around the house on some
pretense or other, getting little
glimpses of and brief chats with Dora.