Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1896-02-27

hang away, then, SAID MIS-. Gfev.
But you shan't marry John Forsythe
if can help 1t. Why, he wasted the
hull o last Saturday, pokin round my
three-acre medder-lot with spade.
I guess he got half bushel o stuns.
He'd oughter hire out to clear land.
Lydia said nothing in reply to this,
but a peculiar smile, which her moth
er could not understand, stole over
her face.
Early on Saturday morning, few
days later, John Forsythe walked into
the dairy, where Mrs. Grey was skim
ming milk, preparatory to churning.
DO you want to sell this place, Mrs.
Grey?' he asked, abruptly.
Don no as l do" said the widow.
its the only home I've had for twen-
ty-fve years. An I couldn't get
nothin' for it. The lands bout wore
out. Still, if I had an offer Of fifteen
hundred dollars forit, I'd snap at it. -
q know somebody who'll give YOU
that" said John. Five hundred
cash down and a mortgage on the
place for the rest, due in two years,
with interest, at six per cent.
its bargain" said the widow.
where's the man.
Here - said John.
"Youg' exclaimed the widow. q
didn't know you had five hundred
cents"
I've got the cash ready for you, -
said John "and if you'll let me drive
into Sedgewick this afternoon, well
have Lawyer Saunders make out the
deeds"
Il suppose III have to hold by my
word" said Mrs Grey. But you Il
never be able to pay me the thousand
within two years. How can you save
anything on forty dollars a month ?'
That's my lookout" >" said John
you needn't worry about the amount
of my salary. You have the farm as
security, and you can live on it till all
is paid. I've no use for the house,
you know, unless get wife to put in
it.
Folks can't say he amt clever,
said Mrs. Grey, in telling her daugh-
ter, a little later, of this offer. "I'd
have hated to leave the house right
off. But what puzzles me is his having
that five hundred dollars put by. He
muss have been awful savin.
Lydia smiled, but SAID nothing She
might have enlightened her mother on
the subject had she so chosen; but she
preferred to keep her own counsel.
A week later, John paid second
visit to the dairy.
you said couldn't marry Lydia
until I had home to offer her as good
as the one she's had with you, he
said. Now you can't say I'm not
able to do so. She needn't make any
change at all, you see.
Il see, said the widow, tersely.
$50 you'll consent to our engage
ment p said John
Il suppose so, since you're both SC
set on it, said Mrs. Grey, on whom
Johns FIVE hundred dollars had pro
duced marked impression. "Llddy
so stubborn.headed she wouldn't think
of changin her mind if preached anc
argyGed all night, and l don't wan
her talked about"
Neither do l, said John; "anC
In glad to have the matter settled
III go up and tell Lydia about 1t now
if you have no objection.
Go if you want to, said the wild
ow. Like as not she's looking fol
vou-hangin over the gate, perhaps
while the breads burnin in the over
and the cats on the breakfast-table.
The we ding was set for the middle
of October; but, to her mothers sur
prise, Lydia began 10 preparations 20
it.
why don't you begin your shop
pin ?" asked the widow, who had
natural longing for cruise among
the drygoods stores Of Sedgewick
There no time to be lost You'll
have to be pretty smart if you exPec
to get sewed up by the middle Of DC
tober.
There : no hurry, said Lydia quiet
ly.
That money you've got in banl
will come in useful 'nough now, sai'
her mother. Three hundred dollar
Will buy you good set-Out.
Better than l need, said Lydia
1T would be sheer extravaganza TO
me to spend that much.
,.D... ,-.,,',-o r,ot ~ bava sona fine