Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1898-05-19

hDout an IDEA I've got, SAID the deacon,
by and by. ''She knows how much we
need a housekeeper, and ! always
thought her very sensible woman, and
I'm sure she'd think just as do about.
about this idea of mine. At least,
hope so. / suppose she'd feel able TO
carry on the homework on place like
this alone, wouldn't she2 She seems
strong and healthy as ever"
"Oh. yes, mothcr'd manage that all
right" answered Rhoda. ''She often
tells me she don't need any of my help"
'She's got the idea plain enough"
thought the deacon, in great delight, as
Rhoda said, that. "rm getting along
splendidly. She's the mostsensible girl
I ever saw. I wonder how much far
Their I'd better go now? Maybe I'd bet-'
ter wait. just as I'd made up my mind
an give her time to talk II over with
her mother before leone right out with
the question:. willy and 10 was we'll
that he came TO this decision and adj
hered to it, as he congratulated himself
a few days later. ales ta3e ~ faa
The deacon might have stayed until
Mrs. Mason's return, but a young girl
friend of Rhoda's came, and that put an
end to his visit. 0Nt 81 49HssNH q s4
"Ysucan talk with your mother, and
see what she thinks about what I've been
saying" he said, as he took his depar-
tureg" Letme know the first chance you
havei'e eea 8af nniac f aataa
The next "Wednesday evening Robert
Wade was away from home. About
one O'Clock his father beard him come
n. abi le 8gtyG1 pnt sra ssss
81 wouldn't wonder If Rob's got an
idea of sparkling somebody" thought
the deacon. Maybe it's like the measles
when il gets into the family, they
all have it," and he chuckled 10 think
Ibis son. might have caught the disease
from, him. well. Rob'S good boy,
and hope he'll ldoas well In gettingn
wife as ! shall. If get Rhoda Mason"
The next morning Rob looked very
wise, as he sat down TO breakfast, op
posite his father
"I've got message for you," he said,
by and by, when the housekeeper had
left the room. II was over TO the Ma
son place.. and when l came away.
Rhoda told me to tell you that il you
wanted TO know what her mother
thought about your housekeeping idea,
you'd better come over and talk with
her about 1t. was quite surprised
70 find out you'd got matrimonial ideas
In your head, but want to say that
think the plan a most sensible one.
Mrs. Mason would make You tip-top
housekeeper, and-if you'll take the
mother. III take the daughter. In
deed, I've got an arrangement 10 that
effect. Rhoda and came 10 a sntisfac-
tory understanding last night"
Rob's face was quite red when he got
through with his speech, but his IA
TIERS wasredder. Tie opened his mouth.
once or twice. as il trying TO say some
thing, but words would not come. II
was well for him that the housekeeper
came In just at this juncture. Rob
went ont. and he betook himself TO his
room to collect his bewildered senses.
"well--I declared The poor deacon
dropped into the first chair he came TO.
and sat and stared al the bedpost for MS
much as half an hour, before he began
to get things Strengthened out
II begin TO understand IT," he told
himself by and by. 1--WE come dread
fully near making a fool of myself.
guess / did make fool Of myself.
all right enough; but what mean is.
| came dreadfully near getting caught
at II. But. by the greatest stroke OF
luck that ever happened TO me, haven't
been caught. l see how IL Is. Rob's
going TO marry Rhoda. and he's been
sparkling her ali along, and the cir.
thought knew 1t, and she thinks II
was her mother I had in view for
housekeeper And. as luck would have
Il. I didn't saw anything that'll give me
away-if I carry out the deception and
marry Rhoda's mother. II don't they'll
mistrust something. It seems as If
fate had something TO do with IL.
never thought of such thing, but I'm
forced right into II, so to speak.
can't help myself. And. come to think
OF. it's the proper thing to do. II would
have been a foolish thing for an old man
like me TO marry young girl Ike
Rhoda. Ain't II lucky. now. that
didn't say any more that day? ] stopped
inst at the right time and place. II
seems she's told her mother what said.
and-rm TO come over and talk with
her about it. l will"
When Deacon Wade made mp his mind
TO anything, he was prompt 70 act. Sat
urday afternoon saw him setting out
for the Mason homestead with another
basket Of strawberries. The widow was
at home this time, and she welcomed
him with blush that made her look
almost as pretty as her daughter.
TAKE a seat out on the porch. dea-
-on. where it's COOL" said the widow.
"And I'll sit here and hull the berries
while we visit. Rob's coming over by
and by. Rhoda said. and both Of yon
must stay to tea. / remember how
fond you used to be Of shortcake. and
ven have one that'll make you think