The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1895-05-14

"' NO"h hISt, shlu huy, Win ulS-
paraglng motion of her parasol toward
1t. at shades everything"
That elm-tree, ma'am, said Squire
lockwood huskilY Twas planted by
Moses Fleetwood, am, my great
grandfather. 1t is known, ma'am, as
the Fleetwood Elm !"
at must make the house as damp as
vault, said May, "and l don't won
der that your two first wives died.
The Fleetwood Elm must be cut down,
Obedl"
1t was the first time she had ever
called him by his Christian name, yet
1t did not sound sweet in Squire Peck
woods ears.
"How narrow this hall is !" said
May pettishly, as the squire threw
open the front door and silently mo-
toned her to enter Cant it he
widened? And only one snulIy little
parlorl"
at was good enough for Susan
Emery, the first Mrs. lockwood. >"
cried the squire irately; "nor did
Jane, my second wife, ever venture to
object to IT -
They must have been milk and
water sort of people," said May irrey-
erently. Dear me, Obed, / never
can live here. The two rooms must
be thrown into one, with an arch
across the center -
"You can't do it; the chimney
stack is between.
'Put the chimney stack somewhere
else !"
"That would be equivalent to build
ing " new house." groaned Squire
lockwood.
well, suppose wo do, Obed?"
cried May, suddenly grasping at this
novel idea. GA new house would be
perfectly delightful; Gothic cottage
with ornamental grounds Just on the
slope of the hill. I'm sure I never
should be contented in this old shell
of n house !"
"Mrs. Peck-I mean Miss Carroll.
slowly enunciateG the squire. "I'm
not made of coined gold, consequently
1 can't afford to build. May 1 ask
what your rational objection can be to
this house,"
cit ISM big enough" said May,
with toss of her defiant little head.
"Not big enough There are thir-
teen rooms, besides very good
cemented cellar"
81 dare say; but, you see, I'm not
going to live like n mole burrowiug in
solitude and darkness | shall fill the
house with company the very first
thing"
There was n speculative CLEAN in
Squire Peckwood's grayish- green orbs
rs May Carroll spoke.
do you mean, take summer board
ers? a good plan, very"
'No," said May abruptly, 81 mean
nothing of the sort l mean invited
company-my cousins and friends
who are to stay here as long as l can
contrive to make it pleasant for them.
OF course | shouldn't for an instant
contemplate receiving any money
from them. And we could have the
sweetest summer picnics up here, with
q band from New York, and refresh
ments from Santillani's. In straw
berry time / suppose we could have
our OWE berries, and"
"By no means" interposed the
Hurried squire. 81 always make n
contract with man for my berries,
twenty cents quart the season
through"
ooh, we'd change all that" said
May carelessly. "Though, indeed, |
shouldn't care what you did with the
fruit the weeks | spent Mt Cape May
and Nahantl"
The squire's face darkened.
1.-The first Mrs. Fleetwood spent
day in New York once in four years 4;
the second Mrs lockwood never
wished to go anywhere except to
church, and"
"And the third Mrs. Fleetwood"
fliPpantly interrupted May, twill go
where she pleases and when she
pleases, end she wishes it distinctly
understood beforehand.
"Miss My
eyes, squire l'
us this specimen oI tho respect
you intend to bestow upon your
husband?'
eyes, said May, after rejecting a
minute or two, / think it may bo con
sidercd a pretty fair specimen
Aud with a shy side glance from lie.
tween her long lashes She took i'm the
squire's flushed face and uneasy ges-
lures.
'In that case, Miss Carroll. I may
as well withdraw from
stop, squirrel said May, with n
certain spice OF mnideuly dignity.
which he was bound to respect as
your bargain for IT was nothing
more nor less than u matrimonial
bargain was made with my parents.
1t must be unsealci in their presence.
] shall be very happy to accompany
You home, but until we reach there i
will hear no further word ON the
subject
And she brluchod oTinto n pleasant
little chatter on indifferent subjects.
whilo the squire, disenchauted md
disappointed, stalked sulleuly ALONG
by her side.
Half q mile from tho Carroll farm.
house they met the dcac1u, erlvely
inspecting the progress OF n line OF
stoucwMl.
Father, eoil May, walking de.
murely mp TO him, Squire Peck wood