The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1895-12-26


anticipations. for Fanny. Oswood, of
Mapleview. was to give q party New
Years day.
Fanny had enlisted Will Moorehead's
services when the Invitations were sent
out, for Will was Fanny's betrothed.
And when it was time to arrange the
decorations, of course no one could
show quite so much taste as Will. AS
Fanny watched his nimble fingers she
said: "What a long courtship Miss
Dearly and Mr.. Mac are having!"
Will laughed and answered.: II do
think. Fanny, Mr.. Mac needs little ien-
couragement."
"Iknow it. but Miss Dearly will never
give it,
''They are SO evenly tempered, think
q little t;f would be just the thing"
Will We ~.lred, with his mouth full of
tacks.
''Oh, Will"
Il do. just epeugh to render the max
ing up delicious" drawing out the
last words as he dropped si,rig of ever
green down upon tie upturned face.
''Say," he nodded, to tie brown hair, for
the eyes were downcast now, cant we
fix it, Just out of mercy, you know.
They are growing old" he continued, as
he descended the step-ladder, land just
think of the wasted moments. know
you are capital hand, for when you
urged me to ask you L"
IRAN like coward" Fanny cried,
breathlessly, as she halted at the back
door, after a frenzied race, with a trusty
feather duster >su pended warningly
over her head. Will, hatless and breath
less, was preparing to defend himself
with the only means near, snowballs,
as he stood knce-deep in snow among
the NAPLES and nodded them into sat
tsfactory roundness. But Fanny turned
and closed the door. Presently q loud
knock at the front door caused her to
hurry to the hall again, with her weap-
on ready poised. 'Peaoe or war;" she
called. through the keyhole.
"PeaceLpeace and fire" he shivered /;
''but, say;" as he warmed his red hands,
II have been thinking, and have plan
to help Mr.. Mac out. OF course, his lady
will be Miss Dearly. Now, couldn't we
manage to have her ride over with the
Drews and tell Mr.. Mac she had said she
would do so to save him hiring rig
or, no. we must intimate as much to
Mr.. Mac, but leave her in ignorance of
it all"
''That would be"
'tNow, hush" Will hurried on. 1T is
for their own good. And he will come
alone. and she will be righteously an
cry, So, when he hurries back after her,
he will be very repentant and she OBJ
stinate, but explanations will heat all
wounds and full reconciliation end in
his avowal." 1855 ,~' r. -
Two days before New Years eve saw
It I'LL planned, apparently as they
wished: But somehow q schoolnastcr
always has large ears; and Mr.. Mac
learned Of the whole plot. He went to
Miss Dearly with it, asking her help in
returning the mischiefmakers their
own with interest. Matters had not
been so slow in their courtship as Will
and Fanny surmised. Mr.. Mac had long
ago made his avowal, and Miss Dearly
dong ago plighted her troth. But the
wedding day was not to be until early
In February. although the bridal dress
was already prepared, for another bride
had worn it long ago, and that bride
was Miss Dearby's mother.
Somehow with lovers persuasive
powers. everything was changed per-
tanning to the wedding. First, it was
necessary to enlist the services of the
Mistress of Mapleview unbeknown to
her fun-loving daughter. So Miss Dear
by managed to have little private talk
with the mother and Mrs. Oswood
promised her aid and secrecy.
al How lovely Fanny looked New Years
SavIe III her garnet dress and white rib