Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1898-03-11
A Cape Cod Sketch.


Farnham, do you, Beulah?" her father
asked, looking up her through the
shadows.
Why, father, what a question:
Beulah cried. "Mr. Farnham never
said word to me on the subject
wha. made you think of such a
thing?"
'Waal, ] dunno; seems to me hos
kinder hangin' round. Learnin's a
good thing, Benlah, but it won't make
the pot bile, an if he had money he
never'd spend time keepin' school in
Hoepatchie.
Why, you know he came down for
the benefit of the salt breezes, because
he had been studying too hard. But
that has nothing to do with il, rich
or poor; he never said word to me
of any such thing" said Beulah.
L amt mean, and the tears com
nerced again to run down his nose;
1 amt mean, an / don't want to
lose you, Beulah, but what can do
about the place?" asked Peter.
Il don't know, father, said Beulah.
throwing her arms around his neck;
don't fret about it. but come in and
eat your supper while it's hot. I've
been thinking might go to Lowell or
Manchester and work in the factory;
you know Nancy Eames earns ever so
much there"
What do you think about il father?"
asked Beulab, as they sat before the
fire after supper.
About what?"
Me going to the factory to work. !"
''Ohi" said the old man, shaking his
head slowly, that won't amount to
nothin'; times are hard and pretty
soon there won't be nothin' to do in
factories.
Dwight Farnham smiled behind his
semi-weekly paper lthe only one which
came to Hoepatchiel, but he did not
speak, and presently old Peter arose
with long sigh and went TO bed.
Beulah began to fold up her knit
Don't hurry away, please. . said
the teacher, drawing his chair nearer;
Il want to talk with you a little, Beu-
lah. "
Beulah commenced TO work again.
Il happened to hear what was said
in the barn before supper, ? he went
on, with his eyes on her face; ''and
don't you really think you ought to
marry your cousin for your fathers
sake?"
H0h, dear" said Beulah, laying
her head upon the table 10 hide her
tears. 81 shouldn't think you'd say
that to me-" and then she stopped, bit
her tongue and began again: .No,
Dwight Farnham, wouldn't sell my
self to old John Mellen for all Massa-
chusetts. | will go to the factory and
work willingly, but not that other.
How would You like to keep house
for a gentleman instead?" the teacher
asked next
s.Who?''
f'.Me."
She gave little start at that. "You
are not married, are you?" she asked
with tiny tremble in her voice.
"No, but intend to be soon, unless
disappointed"
IL don't think l should like to, E"
she answered, hesitatingly Then to
show him that she did not care, she
asked SIS it Boston lady?"
No, indeed; she lives here in Hoe
patchie. love her very dearly, and
her name is Beulah Miles.
He lifted the crimson face from the
table and transferred it TO his shoul-
der, where it laid very comfortably iu-
deed, as he went on: "My father is
a merchant, firm of Farnham & Snow,
and, my school being nearly out, he
offers me partnership in the bust
ness, but want to form one here first.
Will you come into the firm, Beulah?"
Il wish l could, said Beulah, sadly;
but | must help father about the
mortgage some way"
The mortgage shall be paid, darl-
ing, and your mother shall have the
best medical advice that money will
obtain. Now what do you say?'
God bless you, Beulah answered,
with her eyes shining in happy tears.
And not happier couple was to be
found in the Old Bay State that night
than sat over the stone hearth in Peter
Miles cottage.