The record-union., 1895-12-21

4 IL,
| eight years before-garment that
scarce could keep out the cold winds
OF early spring, which pierced her
through and through. Waving furtively
touched the thin black shawl one Sun
| day evening as she passed him in the
church porch, and then looked down at
his own warm coat, comparing it with
| her scanty covering.
| Nellies radiant happiness demanded
much sympathy from her mother She
came in one day after visit from Mrs.
Stone, and poured out her young heart
| to the ever patient ears that listened SO
| kindly to every word.
Mother" she cried, with a happy
blush on the fair young cheek, Ernest
has bought chest of drawers, the very
fellow to Mr. Waving's and a polished
| walnut table, at the sale yesterday.
There isn't any table like it this side of
Oldborough, I'll warrant. And he has
taken the cottage on Primrose HILL and
he thinks he'll have furniture enough
| by midSummer-"
"And then, Nellie
And then, mother. he wants to get
married, and I've said Yes
And do you love him, my dear? Do
you love him better than arranother
man as you've a-seen?''
Nellie looked scornful.
DO you mean Mr.. Waving?" she
cried. THAT old fellow! Why, he's over
40, and getting gray, too, and It's a
funny sort of courting he does, with his
solemn face, and his How be your
mother to-day? Why, he never even
offered to kiss me. ! believe he only
come here so often because you and him
was old friends. Oh, [ dare say he's all
very well in his way for them as likes
old folks, but I've never cared for any
| one but Ernest, though L did think he
was serving me bad last summer"
And wasn't he, my dear?"
mo, mother, he wasn't. Those
clothes were left him by his uncle as
died, and Snip made them over to fit
him. Ernests been saving all this time,
and he's got a pretty penny laid by, l
can tell you; only he was shy, and when
he thought I'd gone again him he
wouldn't say nothing. So we was
parted for bit, but it's all right now.
Mrs. Bradley put down her iron and
kissed the pretty face upturned to her.
God bless you, Nellie!" she said,
and her eyes filled with tears as she
saw her daughter trip gaily down the
court to rejoin her Ernest at the gate.
God give my girl a good husband
as good a husband as mine was, and
more love in her heart for him than |
had for her father. God forgive mel"
She tested the heat of her iron with
a damp cloth, and finding it cold set 1t
down before the fire, while she searched
for the handkerchief in her pocket
She leaned her head on her ironing
table, while hot, unwonted tears fell
| on the white linen she had so care
fully ironed. A footstep sounded on
| the threshold and a large frame filled
up the narrow doorway, while pair
| of friendly eyes gazed at her where she
| sat.
"Sarann!" said a deep voice pres
| entity "Saranni Can | come in, Sa-
| rann?"
She got up in haste and wiped her
eyes furtively, and Waving came in,
shutting the door behind him with an
air of mastership.
I've summat to say to zee, Sarann."
Yes, Seth
do zee mind how long it's sence
come back from turin parts?'
"'Tis a year to-day"
"Ah, tits a year to-day. Folks 'ouldn't
be scandalized now, 'ould 'em %
'ScandaliZed, Seth?'
'If you an me was to make a match
ont, my dear, 1 means. Now, look yer,
Sarann. Last time | put it to zee you
said your say, an l scorned to go
| contrary to zee. But this yer time l be
gwine to say mine. So don't zee cut
in, [ warns zee, 'cept tits to answer up
to my questions"
"You was aIIus arbitery," murmured
Mrs. Bradley, trembling, but not refus-
ing to hear him.
II takes it fur Gospel truth as you
don't cling no more to Ben, as the sayin'
is, an hevn't a-took up wi arranother
MANI"
"No."
AN reckons widders life ent ahl
jy, wi a pack O children to find vittles
fur?"
mo, Seth"
81 reckons it bain't life as arraone
'ould choose, willin', if a could hev ARA
thing better. Vent that So?"
Yes
AN you hevn't got nowt to say agen
ma, hev zee, Sarann?"
NO"
"An' us was sweethearts wunst,
thought or two sence you was left a
widder, amt you?"
| Yes
Yes to both on 'em?"
Eyes, Seth
81 thought / worn't maxim no mis-
take. There be times as man should
lead a CONAN, an there be times as a
'ooman should lead a man-though EN-
baint many This yer be my turn. l
seed parson a-gwine down the street
half an hour agone, an l told un to gle
| out the banns tomorrow, Sarann; SO
We'll be married Monday fortnit, my
dear"
A faint blush mantled in Mrs. Brad
ley'S clear, pale cheek, and faint smile
curved her trembling lips.
you was allus so arbitery, Seth" she
said weakly.-Cornhill.