Alpena argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1893-1909, 1894-09-05

y y
to marry him. Isn't it funny?
never dreamed such thing till to-
night"
The next night Squire Dudley
arrayed himself in his new suit OF
gray, and took extra pains in max
ing the thin locks of hair on top OF
his head cover the bald spot there
Then he set out across lots, as Char
ley had done the night before, tc
call on the Widow Stevens and hei
daughter.
The widow blushed very hand.
somely when she saw Squire Dudley
coming up the walk.
Now, mother" cried Ruth
don't discourage the poor old man,
and disappeared into the kitchen.
1t is safe to conclude from that
that Mrs. Stevens had some idea OF
the squire's errand.
"Good evening, Miss Stevens,
said the squire, blandly, as she came
to the door to admit him. Zine
weather-isn't itp"
delightful answered Mrs
Stevens, drawing out the comfort
able easy-chair from the corner
."Do sit down, and make yourself al
home, Squire Dudley. "It's been
an age since You called here"
II hain't been very neighborly
that's fact" admitted the squire
wiping his face with his red-and
yellow silk handkerchief. "How
snug and neat you look, Miss
Stevens!' added the squire, taking
notice of the prim, tidy room, quite
different from the appearance OF thu
rooms of his domicile. Every
things as cool as cucumber, here
Them vines at the windows are {
great sight better than curtains
amt they? Miss Greene, she aim
no hand for such fixin's. | fine
that hired housekeepers amt worth
much. They don't take the in
terest in keeping things snug ant
tidy that a woman would that be-
longed there"
Probably not" answered Mrs
Stevens. "Let me fetch you some
of my root-beer, Squire, an piece
of Ruth's cake;" and the widow
ran off to bring the mentioned ar
ticles.
81 declare, she looks younger
than thought she did, said thu
squire, while she was gone. 81 al
ways liked her. She'll be perfectly
welcome to make her home at my
house when Ruth and are married
I'll tell her So"
Mrs. Stevens came back with {
pitcher Of delicious home-brewet
beer, and plate of nice crisp cake
that was rich enough, the squire de.
clared, to melt in his mouth.
"An' Ruth made ibid she?'
he said, between his glass of BEEF
and mouthful of the article il
question.
Eyes. Ruth's a good cook,
answered Mrs. Stevens. "She car
make bread and pies as well as
can. You ought to eat one of hel
cherry-pies. Come over to tea som'
time before cherries are gone, ant
we'll have one."
"Thankyou," answered the squire
"Ill be happy to-"
1t was more than an hour afte
that, before the squire happened tt
remember suddenly that he came tt
call on Ruth, instead Of her mother
and inquired for her.
"She's somewhere about tn,
house or garden" answered Mrs
Stevens, "Shall / call her?"
81 wouldn't bother to hunt he
up tonight" said the squire. ut
getting late. Awful short evenin's
amt they? Must be about the
longest days now. I'll be goin,'
guess"
"Come over again, squire, do,
urged Mrs. Stevens, as she brough
the squire's hat and cane. II DON
know when you've been here be
FORE"
"I'll come over, you needn'
doubt" said the squire. 1T seem
like old times tonight. / ge
dreadful lonesome, sometimes, t.
home. Miss Green's a nice woman
but she amt much company"
mo, s'pose not" answered Mrs
Stevens, accompanying him to tn,
door. "Just run over wheneve