The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1897-10-23
The Old Home.
The Story Of New England Couple. Showing How
Happiness and Husband Came to
an Old Maid at Last.

house. The sitting room had not been
touched. 1t was the only room that looked
like home. After dinner she went in,
made good fire in the large old fireplace
and seated herself with her knitting. How
pleasant and coy it seemed, and how she
dreaded more and more to leave it, 81 don't
see how my mind is ever going to fit into
those large high rooms 81 that it will work
clear as it has done here l shall be all
confused and floundered | know | shall,
and they'd say I'm cranky and disappointed
about Johns getting married 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.
'1m afraid | shall never get used to
stoves, but I'll try hard, she added, with
emphasis, starting up AS the door opened.
tall, rather stout man walked in.
"You did not hear my knock, l fancy,
Miss Mills"
"No, heard no knock My room and
| were visiting together, and | was busy
thinking"
Yes, know; you are not to live here
any more, l understand but don't You
know me, Martha?"
lyon are Milo Searla. | heard you were
coming back to stay"
"Well | should like to il | can arrange
things to suit me-"
Don't You like the West?"
SIN some respects l 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 suppose so, replied the other
quietly, but | don't see why you should
come to tell me about her. / have heard
all about it."
You We heard all about what, Martha?
haven't told anyone my intentions"
Perhaps she has, then" Mr. Searle S
pleasant blue eyes opened to their fullest
extent, and he rose from his chair and
stood before Miss Mills.
"Will you kindly tell me who she is?''
he ask ed, looking down into her face
"Aren't you engaged to marry Nancy
Neal? She slys you are"
"What! That wzened old maid?' and
he laughed until the room rang.
''Why, my dear woman, I've never cared
for a living soul all these years exceptir g
YOU, and il you won't marry me shall
have to 20 off to the prairics agpn. !
don't suppose / vas quite yanr equa. III
the old days, but guess I've improved
some"
Il 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,"
"There's no need to tell me that Milo.
know what you are.'
"We can live here il your brother will
sell me the farm. l shouldn't want a
pleasanter place.
81 don't believe there will be much
trouble about that, for we ,nldn'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. l
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.