Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1894-04-09

DANIEL" interrupted his mother,
severely.
"Well, mother, I'm tired of it all.
believe I'll go over to Radway and
see Bill Brewster. He's going on a
voyage next tweek-bound for the West
lndies-and wants me join him. But
haven't made up my mind yet about
the rmy-recruiting business that the
boys are so crazy about. Ben Howells
says he'll enlist if | will"
"Oh, Daniel! !" 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.
81 don't say that I'll go mother, so
long as you oppose it. But wish you d
consent.
''Do let him go, mother!" said
Maria, sharply. ''It will likely do him
good"
1t was late that evening when Dan,
who had spent the day at Radway.
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.
'Oh, Dan, wanted to tell you
We've got company arrived-mother'
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 us.
| hope they'll stay longer, for they're
such pleasant peoplel Step up stairs
and brush yourself up, for supper'll
be ready i'll a minute.
Bother L 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 girl !"
Maria disappeared; and Dan, as he
stood hesitating, had view into the
neat kitchen.
There he saw n 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,
a q cba 1ourbi iprlxy ra,,1;aJ 4, Soma ro
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 tAe 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.
Maria saw it, but prudently said
nothing-only managing to throw
them together as much as possible.
'Dan," she said, next day, pre-
tending to be in great hurry, "can
you spare time to help Dora shell
those peas? I'm so busy, and the
peas must be on the fire in ten min
utes to be in time for dinner"
So Dan sat down, and while she'll
ing the peas, watched Dora's deft fin
gers as they split the crisp pods and
dropped the little, shining green balls
into the bowl.
81 guess you're not used to work
much, he said, noticing how white
4 the hands were.
"Aint II" she said, Iaughingly:
Just ask mother about that l do
most OF the work Mt home help to
cook and clean, and | sew, and find
time to play on the piano.
DO you?' said Dan, who was very
fond OF music. IL wish that Maria
had piano, but she never cared to
learn to play"
"You will make n nice wife for
somebody, Dora, with all those accom-
plishments, Maria said
Dan glanced up, with sudden
twinge of jealousy. He wondered if
she were engaged; nor did he feel en-
tirely at his ease until he had learned
from Cousin Lydia herself that,
though Dora had plenty of beaux, she
had never shown preference for any
any one in particular.
'Cousin Dan," said Dora, rs the
two sat on the front porch in the twi-
light, "they tell me that You are
thinking of going to sea or enlisting
for a soldier?"
We'll, " he answered, a little sheep
lshly, 81 hadn't made up my mind
about it.
tHhNm,n11 l. 1oa,,n ,rn,,,.