The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-08-15

L can t-put ledulng quesIlons' us
cover what her domestic qualities are
she suspects me; II daren't-and
give me your opinion. There is
widow, very handsome-Mrs. Crom-
lick-that may be more suitable. But
there's charm about my blue-stock-
ing. She doesn't write very mascu-
line books; they are about birds and
squirrels, and bees and howers-chil-
dren's books. But still you'll oblige
friend. If you approve, I'll see her
home and offer myself on the way; if
not, I'll ask to be the widows escort
and propose to her. | can't waste
time at my age, and I want to settle
down. Cross-question her, pray"
| promised and on Wednesday
evening entered Mrs. Parker's par
Tors.
There she sits at the table" whis-
pered the bachelor. Pretty Shout
ders, eh?"
nodded, for Mrs. Parker advanced
and there was no time for words. L
was introduced.
81 want him to know your literary
friend. AS stranger he ought to
know our shining lights" said Mr..
Groton, with great cunning.
"Delightedw said Mrs. Parker.
"Mr. Ashton, this way, please. Miss
Doane, Mr.. Ashton desires an intro
duction. OF course you have read all
Miss Deborah Doane's works. What
my children would do without them
| cannot say. They are an education
by themselves"
"Debbie turned authoress!"
thought. 1t could not be. Yet Miss
Deborah Doane Was it coincid-
ence?
1t was not, for the lady turned as
her hostess spoke to Debbie-Debbie
still more elegant if not quite SC
pretty.
She knew me at glance, and as
held her hand all my old love awoke
fresh in my heart, And there stood
Mr.. Groton listening, and Mrs. Par
ker and the children, and what could
[ say to her? | did not remark, 81
have had that pleasure" nCr did she
We sat and talked to each other be
fore an audience until supper-time
Then old Groton whispered to me
"Take her down." And l did. And
still my audience was large and at
tentive.
| had discovered that she, like my
self, was alone in the world. | saw
that she was ready to meet me half
way. Yet the hour for parting ap
preached, and if old Groton took hel
home, proposed to her, and was &C
cepted, all was over And yet, while
strangers listened to my words, what
could l utter to show her my inten
tions? This is what l did say:
GAS you write about such things
Miss Doane. did you ever take notice
of the fact that the year after forest
fire blueberries are very plenty Oh
the Shaunagunk Mountains?"
"Oh yes" she replied. 81 go to the
Shaunagunk every summer, and
made that discovery long ago"
"And you have not only made dis
coveries, but pies9"I remarked.
Many" she answered.
"Oh! do you make pies9 | thought
authoresses never could cook" cried
one of our audience.
"a lady once promised to make
blueberry pies tor me-" said l. I'll
was while forest fire was burning
but she never kept her promise. II
you go to Shaunagunk next summer
l shall call at your camp, and ask
you to make pie for me-"
81 do not camp out, but you will
find me at little farmhouse neal
by" said Debbie, "and | will make
all the pies you want"
at is a solemn PROMISE" l said.
"She gave me her hand.
Il think the blueberries will be
thick on Shaunagunk next summer
for the fires were fierce this autumn,
she said. "Good night"
But | knew she would not accept
old Groton if he proposed; and, be-
sides, l took pains to whisper to him
in the dressing room:
The widow is the woman fol
you"
He married her, but Debbie is
making a blueberry pie for me at this
moment, and the berries were picked
on old Shaunagunk.