The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1897-07-30

| plague you little. he was ABOUT the
likeliest fellow in town. They say he's
made quite pile of money out west
and Is coming back to spend his days
here. You didn't know it, did you,
Marthy?
eyes" said Martha, with little tre-
NOR in her voice. "Maria Saunders told
me yesterday. He's going to marry
Nancy Neal"
"What, that weakened old maid9
don't believe any such thing"
"I guess it's So, answered Martha in
a resigned tone. Nancy told her her.
SELF"
The house was not finished at Thanks
giving time, but the second week in
December found the brother and sister
in their new abode and very nearly
"settled," for Martha had worked night
and day to get everything in order so
| that her brother and Maria Saunders
could be married ON Christmas day at
noon. She was to live with the couple.
Maria insisted upon it. She liked Mar
tina and knew she could have pretty
much her own way without any trouble.
The day before Christmas was mild
and sunny. Martha had made up her
mind to have one good visit all by her.
self in the old house. The sitting room
had not been touched. 1t was the only
room that looked like home. After din,
ner shewent in, made good fire in the
large, old fireplace and seated herself
with her knitting. How pleasant and
cozy it seemed, and how she dreaded
more and more to leave it. II don't see
how my mind is ever going to fit into
those large high rooms so that it will
work clear as it has done here. shall
be all confused and foundered, know
shall, and they'd say I'm cranky and
disappointed about Johns getting mar
ried again.
How quantity the blue spiral flames
curled and danced in and out of the
logs, making fantastic figures on the
oak beams that formed the ceiling.
"I'm afraid I shall never get used to
stoves, but I'll try hard" she added,
with emphasis, starting up as the door
opened. A tall, rather stout man
walked in.
"You did not hear my knock, fancy,
Miss Mills.
"No, heard no knock. My room and
Iwere visiting together, and was busy
thinking.
eyes, know; you are not to live
here any more, understandable don't
you know me, Martha?"
"You are Milo Searle. l heard you
were coming back to stay"
"Well, should like to if I can ar
range things to suit me"
Don't you like the west?"
I'm some respects do, but somehow
the old town has an attraction for me
that cannot find anywhere else. And
not only the town, Martha, but one that
the town contains.
Eyes, I suppose so, replied the other
quietly, ''but I don't see why you
should come to tell me about her. I
have heard all about it..
you've heard all about what, Mar
tina? I haven't told any one my inten-
lions. -
"Perhaps she has, then" Mr.. Searle's
pleasant blue eyes opened to their full
est extent, and he rose from his chair
and stood before Miss Mills.
evil you kindly tell me who she
ISL" he asked, looking down into her
face.
AREN'T you engaged to marry Nancy
Neal? She says you are. F"
"What That wizened old maidf"
and he laughed till the room rang.
why, my dear woman, I've never
cared for a living soul all these years
excepting you, and If you won't marry
me shall have to go off to the prairies
again. I don't suppose was quite your
equal in the old days, but I guess I've
improved some"
81 guess you have, too, Milo. You're
a good deal ahead of me now"
"Well, I've been prosperous and
made money enough to retire on, and,
what's the best of the WHOLE, Martha,
I've got it all honestly. It's good, clean
money, every cent of it.
'Tbere's no need to tell nae that MI
To- know what you are "
eve can live here if your brother
will sell me the farm. shouldn't want
pleasanter place"
at don't believe there will be much
trouble about that, for we couldn't
seem to decide what to do with the
house. But how about marrying an old
maid? I've been one good many years
now, you know"
Never to me, my dear; never to me.
I can see the same pink and white skin,
the brown wavy hair, and the bright,
dark eyes that used to shine out from
the little straw hat long, long ago"
The fire died down, but they did not
care, for they had gone back into the
warm land of youth and springtime,
and the room was full of rainbows and
apple blossoms Boston Post.