The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1897-11-26
MISS NANCY'S
EAVESDROPPING.

tWho was that young man with
your
Miss Nancy Armstrong asked the
question of her niece, Margery. Her
tone was sharp and her eyes had an
angry snap in them.
at was John Markham" answered
Margery, quietly enough, as she took
off her bonnet, but the tone in which
the question had been asked brought
an extra color to her cheek and spar
kle of resentment to her eyes.
81 thought So" responded Miss Nam
cy, in her most irritating way. MAR
gerry Armstrong, should think you'd
be ashamed of yourself"
what for?'' asked Margery. 'I'm
not aware that I've done anything to
be ashamed Of"
20, you needn't try to plead inno-
cence," retorted Miss Nancy "You
ought to be ashamed of going with that
Markham fellow, and you know it,
81 don't know any such thing" an
swered Margery, facing her aunt brave@
ly. "John. Markham Is respectable
young man. You don't like him be-
SduSC IASIS uScu W Dt llOuDlC DtlWecu
the Markhams and the Armstrong;.
That happened before either of us was
born, and there's no reason why we
should keep up the quarrel. If we see
fit to like each other 1 don't know
who's going to prevent our doing so.'
81 am" answered Miss Nancy, grim
ly. "You needn't think-and John Mark
ham needn't think-that a cent of my
property'll go into the hands of any one
of that familyw
30, you can do just as you see fit
to about your property, of course" said
Margery. 81 haven't anything to say
about that, but if you think anything
you. can do about it will prevent John
and from liking each other, you're
quite mistaken. He don't want your
property, but'-with the prettiest lit
tie blush imaginable and softening of
the voice at the import of the words
che does want me-" :,
''Margery Armstrong, I'd like to know
how far this matter has gone," cried
Miss Nancy, in wrathfut surprise. .eTo
judge by the way you talk one would
suppose it is all settled between YOU"
''It is" answered Margery, with eyes
that never flinched before the angry
ones of her aunt. 81 promised John
tonight, coming home from church.
that I'd marry him as soon as he has a
home for me-"
Miss Nancy fairly gasped for BREATH.
you're q fool" she. said, as soon as
she could command her voice, ito take
up with that fellow when you might
marry the squire's nepheww
II wouldn't marry the squire's
nephew If he was the last man on
earth," said Margery. 'Look at him
alongside John Markham, and know
that down in your heart you can't helm
owning that he's an Insignificant apol-
ogy for man. All you can see to ad-
mire in him is his money, I'm sure, and
If he had a thousand times more than
he has I'd have just as much contempt
for him as have now"
You may see the day when you'll
wish you had some of his money" said
Miss Nancy. "Wait till you're John
Markham's wife and poor as poverty
and things'n look different to you. Uf
course he thinks and you think that I'll
change my mind when find out that 1
can't prevent your marrying him. But
you were never more mistaken in your
life Marry that fellow and I'll see
that not penny of mine goes to you"
please yourself about that" answer
ed Margery. 1--WE don't want your
money. We're both strong and willing
to work, and we'n get along. Don't
worry about that"
'"That sounds well, but you'll sing a
different tune by and by" said Miss
Nancy. "Just remember what l tell
you"
"All right, 1 WILL" replied Margery,
and then she went UP to her room, not
to think about what her aunt had said,
but about the things she had talked of
with her lover as they walked home
from church together.
One day Miss Nancy decided to go %
the city to do some shopping. She was
always afraid of being too late for the
train, and generally arrived at the sta
ton at least half an hour before it was
due. She did so on this occasion, and
as the day was a very warm one she
sat down ON the platform in the shade
of some large boxes of freight that bad