The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1898-04-01

W SET lily eluply cluer c.ISk. she
might had the sense to return it her
self!'
He slowed the pocket handkerchief
away in his pocket and was just taking
up the reins, when Mary rushed out
again, crimson to the very roots of her
hair
Father, that bag Of seed corn"
20, it's all right-it's all right" said
the squire, placidly. Il promised
little to Miss Polly Pepper, and this is
already shelled'
But, father gasped poor Mary,
'let me tie it up first
"Nonsense,' said the squire Il Jest
folded over the top and it'll go as snug
as thief in mill, right a top of my
bags of neal
Away he ratified over the stony road
as he spoke and poor Mary ran back
into the kitchen to cry herself into a
second Niobe.
"Oh, my letter. my letter." sobbed
she; why was l such an idiot as to put
it there?'
Miss Polly Pepper gaunt spinster
of very uncertain age, and very GER
tain in1irmity Of temper, opened the
bag of seed corn as the squire drove
off,
Might a-brought it before" said
she. 'Promised it to us last fall. l
40 despse these folks that are always
putting off things. Mercy upon us!
what's this?" as she drew out the note;
some receipt that that shiftless Mary
tucked away here, to get it out of the
way? No, it amt. It's love letter
and to me!-'My dearest Maryland
signed George George Washington
Bergamot, that's his name. Well,
declare! Amt he far gone? "All oppo-
sltlon.' | s'pose he means Mary and
my two brothers-in-law that think a
woman over forty hain't no business
TO marry? But I'll see em furder
afore III let 'em overtrump my matri-
onlal prospects-see if + don't! Tell
MIN with my own lips OF course l
Will! I'll go right over at once. De-
lays is dangerous! And if he really is
| III sucn q hurry-
| Miss Polly's fingers trembled as she
took her little cork-screwy curls out
OF their papers, and pinned on fresh
collar, tied by blue ribbon. Blues
the color of love- said she to her.
self, with a shipper, land it was so ro-
mantle of my dear George to think
OF proposing in a bad of seed corn!"
The squire was at his supper when
Miss Pepper walked in, flushed with
her long expedition on foot
Set down and have bite, won't
your said the squire. MARY, fetch
a clean plate"
Miss Pepper took advantage of the
momentary absence of her STEP daugh-
ter-elect to proceed directly to bust
ness.
George" cried she, almost hysteri-
cally, II am yours!r'
"Eh"' said the squire
Forever and ever" said Miss Pep
per, tlinging herself upon the collar
of his coat.
care you crazy" said the squire,
jumping up.
You asked me to be your wife"
said Miss Pepper, meltingly.
Il didn't!' said the squire.
Then what does this letter mean?
Err" demanded Miss Polly. cts as
clear a declaration of love as ever was
writ. And good ground to sue on
The squire stared at the sheet of pa
per as Miss Pepper waved it triumph
antly over his head.
But didn't write it,! gasped ne.
Then who did," demanded Miss
Pepper
Just at this moment, Mary, enter
ing with fresh tea and clean plate,
caught sight of the letter.
tits miner she cried with sud-
den dyeing of the cheek and glitter
of the eyes. "My letter! How dare
you read it, Miss Pepper?'
II got it out of the bag of seed corn"
protested the spinster.
"And I put it there for safe-keep-
ing" blushingly acknowledged Mary
Bergamont
"Who wrote it, sternly demanded
| the squire.
And Mary confessed.
George Lake, papa''
Miss Pepper went home, crying
heartily with mortified pride and dis
appointed expectations. And the SQUIRE
came to the conclusion that True Love
would have it's way in spite of all dis
senting parents.
Papa" said Mary, may I have
George?"
II don't care" said the spire.