The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1897-05-12
Ill WAIT FOR YOU.


ter, young man, said Farmer Blifkins,
removing che pipe from his mouth and
louSinp at the young man sharply from
head 10 foot
ayes. sir ! spoke 10 Miss Mary last
evening, aud shc--shc referred me to you.
The old mans face sutcncd
Mary Is coed girl, very good girl, "
he said, stroking his chin with Il thought
sui air, "and she deserves good husband.
What can you do!"
The yoLAg rtU looked rather blank ut
this ABRUPT inquiry.
"lf you refer to my ability to support
wife, ! can assure you'--
81 know you are rich man, Luke Jor.
dan. But | take it for granted that you
ask my girl to marry you, not yorr prop.
erty. What guarantee can you give me in
case it should be swept away-as i'm thou.
sands of instanccs-that you could provide
for her II comfortable homer You have
hands and brains. DO you know how to
use thcmf Again l ask you, what can
you doy'
This was Il style of catcchism for which
Luke was quito unprerarcd, and he stared
blanSly at the questions without speaking.
81 believe you managed to get through
college. Have you any IrOfessiony'
"No, sir. thought
"Havc you any trades
mo, sirl My father thought that, with
the wealth should inherit, l should not
need any"
"What are you fit forY Here you are, u
strong, Hblcbodied young man, "a years
old, and never earned pound in your life
You ought to be ashamed of yourself And
you want to marry my daughterV' resumed
the cid man, after few vigorous putfs at
his pipe "Now, I've given Mary as good
advantages for learning as any girl in
town. and she hasn't thrown them away,
but If she didn't know how to work she d
be no daughter of mine. If | choose,
could keep more than one servant, but
don't, no more than | choose that my
daughter should be a pale, spiritless crca-
turc, full of dyspepsia and all manner of
fine lady ailments, instead of the smiling
bright eyed rosy checked lass she is. | did
say that she should marry no lad that had
been cursed with II rich father, but she's
taken II foolish liking to you, and I'll tell
you what III do-go to work and prove
yourself TO be Il man; perfect yourself in
some occupation-I don't care what, so il
be honest; then come to me, and, if the
girl be willing, she is yours. -
AS the old man said this he deliberately
knocked the ashes out of his pipe against
one of the pillars of the porch where he
was sitting, put it into his pocket end
went into the house.
Pretty Mary Blifkins was waiting to sec
her lover down at the garden gate, their
usual TRUSTING place. The smiling light
faded from her eyes as she noticed his so.
Der, discounted look
Father means well, she said as Luke
told her the result of his application. And
Pm not sure but what he's about right, ~
she resumed, after n thoughtful pause, "for
it seems to me that every man, be he rich
or poor, ought to have some occupation"
Then, as she noticed her lovers grave
look she added softly: Never mind. III
wait for you, Luke"
Luke Jordan suddenly disappeared from
his accustomed haunts, much to the sur.
prise of his gay associates. But, wherever
he went, he carried with him in his exile
these words, which were like u tower OF
strength to his soul, I'm wait for you,
Luke"
One pleasant, sunshny morning, late in
October, as Farmer Blifkins was propping
up the grapevine in his front garden, that
threatened to break down with the weight
of its luxurious branches, Il neat looking
cart drove up, from which Luke Jordan
alighted with IL quick, elastic spring, quite
in contrast to his formerly easy, leisurcly
movements.
Good morning, MIR. Blfkins. / under.
stood that you wanted to buy some cider
barrels. l think L have some here that
will suit you"
Whose make are thcy?" inquired the
old man, AS, opening the gate, he paused
by the wagon.
Mine, f." replied Luke, with an air OF
rardonablc bride, and l challenge any
cooper To beat them"
Mr.. Bltkins examined them critically
orc by one.
They'll do, - he said coolly as he set
down the last of the lot. What will you
take for themg''
what l asked you for six months ago
today-your daughter, sir.
The roSuish twinkle i'll the old man s
eyes broadcnLd into n smile.
you've the right mettle in you, after
ALL" he cried. Come in, lad-come in.
shouldn't wonder if we made "a trade, after
all"
Nothing loath, Luke obeycd.
Mary tripped out into the entry. Her
round, white arms were barred above Uhe
elbows and bore traces of the flour she
had been sitting.
Her dress was a neat gingham, over
which was tied blue checkcred apron.
But she looked as winning and lovely as
sh> always did whor., or she was found.
she blushod and smiled as she saw Luke,
ard then, turning her eyes upon her ia
Their, waited dullfully to hear what he
had to say.
The old man regarded his daughter for
moment with II peculiar look
MARY, this young man-mayhap you
have seen him bctore-has brought me II
lot of tubs and barrels, all OF ms own
make-a right good article too. He asks u
good heavy Price Tor 'em. But if you aro
willing to give it, well and good, and bark
ye, my girl, WhateyCr bargain you make
your old father will ratity."
AS MIR. Bliikins said this he consider.
ately stepped out of the room, and we will
follow his example But the kind of bar
gain the young people made can readily DC
conjectured by the speedy wedding that
followed