The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1898-08-09

NAAAS An Gu0
at her mothers gate.
"Eua," he said, 81 have come here
this evening because 1 have something
important to say to you. All, you
smile. You guess what it is don't
you3"
The girl looked down for a moment,
and then, though she blushed deeply,
she gazed at him with her lovely blue
eyes and said:
Eyes, Mr.. Fry, I felt sure you would
say something coon"
Josiah looked radiant. 1t was strange
how Elias words pleased him, and yet
they were not like those he should have
expected from a Quaker maid. Still it
was delightful to think how she had
understood him, and no one could be
more charming or more sweet.
"Then thou art not afraid to trust
mes Thou thinkest I shall suit theeG'
he said gayly.
Yes" she answered. 81 know it.
They used to tell me you were cold and
hard, but 1 did not believe it then, and
now l laugh when I think of it, for I
have learned to love you"
She accompanied her words with q
little squeeze of his braWny hand,
which she then raised to her lips and
kissed. Josiah felt his blood coursing
madly through his veins. He was de
lighted to find himself go beloved, and,
though he was distinctly being courted
by this young maid, it was SO sweet to
him that his sense of the proprieties
was in no way shocked.
But, my dear, thou knowest 1 am
five and forty and sometimes cross and
Grabbed"
That's nothing" laughed Ella. 81
love old men, and feel so proud of you
with your beautiful gray hair and youl
straight tall figure. You will be 6
lovely old man, and I shall be proudel
than ever of you,
Jack wanted to tell you all about il
long ago, though he knew you would
disapprove Of me for his wife. but
begged him to wait. I told him if yoU
1 we're all he said-Rnd you sre-that
was sure I could make you fond of me
I loved you a little already because yoU
were Jacks uncle and had been 80 gooC
to him, and if I like people I can Away
make them like me a little" She paus
ed, and then after a moments silenct
she went n
"Only yesterday 1 told Jack he nigh
speak to you today, and now 1 do be
lieve you must have guessed it, for herr
you are giving all we want without on,
even asking it, and I am soglad, for W,
could never have married withou
your c~onsentI"
Darkness seemed to fall over tn,
landscape, and Josiah Fry felt it sud
denly turn cold. His face blanched
but he uttered not a sound. He merely
turned as if to go home.
Must you go nowG" cried Ella. see
ing and ~suspecting nothing. we
perhaps it's time. It's getting dark
and Jack will be in from Birchley fai
by this time and will want his supper
Besides, know you want to make hin
as happy as you have made me. Goo
night and thank you so much, Jack
and will level forget your goodness.
"Good night" said Josiah mechani
cally, and he made his way across tn
fiel6 80 his own home. He staggere
omewhat 50 he walked, and his fee
seemed like lead, 50 that the short dic
tance across the farm TO the meadoN
seemed longer than ever before. Flo
that, however, he was not sorry, for tt
meeting with his nephew was painfU
20 anticipate.
Josiah. however, was no coward, g
he put a brave face on the matter, an
entering the pArlor. where Jack wa
waiting for him to come in for supper
ne exclaimed:
"WelI, John, business first and SUI
per atterward. / want to tell thee the
[ know all-everything. Ella has jus
told me, and, lad, thou hast my bler
sing. She is a good girl and will max
thee a faithful, loving wife, aud tho
must marry as soon as possible. -''Oir
cinnati Post.
Tom-Tbat friend you introduced
the club last night seems to be a me