The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1896-09-01

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that passed with lightning like rapid
lily through his mind. He laughed
again, and Maline laughed, too.
"Are you, too, glad that father is
going to die7" she asked.
It was now his intention to humor
her, so he answered.
Eyes, certainly, if you are; but why
are yOu glad?"
Because, no one is happy until they
die, she answered. That's why I want
him to die so mach
Then looking out into the darkness,
she continued:
81 would drown myself if I thought
it would make him happy. Do you
think it would?" she asked turning to
him.
mo; on the contrary, it would make
him miserable. Don't think of such a
thing, he said.
"Then, 1 WON'T" she said, emphati-
cally, and burst into tears.
Hugh Caravan-the ~hypocritical vii
ian that he was-knelt beside her and
put his arms around her.
Don't cry" he said, soothingly;
don't cry, little sister; I C IN tell you
something that you can do that will
make father happy-very happy, in
fact"
What is it," she cried with childish
eagerness-"tell me! tell me-"
He wants you to marry me; will
you do it9"
Her brow clouded.
Are you sure that it will make him
happy 2" she asked.
Yes; he told me that he could not
rest in his grave unless you dido"
did dear papa say that3"
YES" he answered.
Then 1 will do it." emphatically; 81
will marry you-let me see-neGt
year."
Hugh was puzzled. He though a
moment and then asked:
why not to night7"
"Oh! | haven't wedding dress, nor q
veil, nor a lot of other things. No, we
can't get married to night"
But we must"
She shook her head impatiently, and
began to pout like a spoilt child.
I'm not going to do it," she said;
no, I amt"
But you will make father very IN
happy if you don't"
"Why9"
Because he wants to die, and he
can't die until we are married, and, of
course, he can't be happy until he is
dead. Don't you see?"
80, yes, yes; I forgot. But are you
sure that he will die just as soon as we
are married?"
g lite sure"
"Well, then, we'll get married at
onco," she said, rising to her feet; and
if he don't die right away, we'll kill
him, won't we7"
Yes" be Z Wered -"come!
He took her hand. She drew it
back, and burst out laughing.
But where's the preacher, Hugh7
We can't get married without a minis
ter, you know?" and she laughed
again.
Certainly not; but Mr.. Clankton is
here; he awaits US now in fathers
room-come
He again attempted to take her hand
but she drew back. Convulsed with
laughter, she cried:
ooh, how funny! I never thought
of it before. Why, Hugh, you r my
grandfather, aren't you3"
Yes, Unanswered, but thatdoesn't
matter"
mo, of course not" she acquiesced
but it awful funny. Do girls marry
their g~randfathers as arule3" she asked.
YES" he answered; it's quite com
mon nova days; in fact, it's an every
day occurrence"
But its funny, amt it9-Oh! so fun
ny"
And she laughed until the tears ran
down her face. Hugh was bewildered
at a loss what to do. Here was a diff
Guilty. 1t would neve do for her to
enter the next room in her present hi
larious mood. The deranged state of
her mind would be detected at once and
his schemes bs m ID. He thought for a
few moments and then said:
"Maline, do you really want to make
father happy7"
You know l do" che answered.
Then promise me that you will not
laugh again until we are married"