The Newtown bee., 1899-04-07
their wages for three weeks. ;,

their wages for three weeks.n
"Oh, joint Do you know this? Re-
member, you never LIKED Charles, and we
are ever ready TO jump at evil eoneius.
ions about those we hold prejudice
against ~s~a
zone of them told me yesterday. / was
going TO speak OF liz, Annas indeed, I've
been thinking for week that ought TO
step in and put a stop to the doings that
l knew would beggar your father and
mother in the end. But I'm not even s.
son-in-law yet, go didn't feel like put
ting finger In the pie till was asked.
You know, Anna, that You have put me
off when have said it would be better
for us 20 marry right away"
''You know why / put you of, John;
how could they let me go at home. when
father kept growing mors-more-2'
"Simple, = muttered John, although
worse sounding word had knocked as his
lips.
John Lane usually talked about and
planned for trip to the city for at least
one week before taking it, partly because
be could never get quite over the feeling
of tinglipg excitement, that was almost
timidity. which marked his first Journey
to the great, noisy town. That was be.
cause he had q naturally vivid imagina-
ton, and had never crossed q crowded
paved street. or seen street car, until
he was 81.
But he waited now to do no thinking
| about the journey; more, he made use Of
the afternoon train, Drawing plunge in
to the crooked streets after night fall.
AT home Anna Boothby did her mothers
share of the homework, and found time
to cheer the one who had borne the home
burdens for so many years, and who had
now grown suddenly feeble under the
blighting weight of distrust and hope
lessness.
"Everything1i go just as alters said
| 'twould, and your father and I'll be pau
pera in our old age" she kept saying.
"That will never be, mother. You
leave John and me out OF the account"
said Anna. gstsHs
Gould be dependent on John after
all your father has said about his being
narrow minded and pokey? And what
did / say to-day about him? No, Anna.
There's worae things than aakin' help OF
the town that we've paid taxes to for 40
years ?''
mother mother ~ Anna remon-
strated.
But upon that point Mrs Boothby was
firm, in spite OF her weakness. She had
never before been easily moved to tears
but now she seemed to find something
worth crying over in everything Anna
said. In time the strong, true nature OF
the daughter prevailed so far as to bring
Mrs Boothby TO calmer state OF feeling.
Anna strangely dreaded the return of
John Lane. She must see him before
her father or mother could ply him with
questions. To make sure of this she
walked the mile and half TO the station
after sunset, 80 40 to have plenty Of time
with him.
he saw her standing by the track a
little way from the station rs the train
came In. She waved her hand TO him,
and he came our and drew her arm with
in his own in way he had never done
before. Then, when they were well
away from the station lights he bent and
kissed her on the lips. By these signs
she was told that he had not been In
time TO get the papers from Charles
Harding. It Is the sweet way Of telling
bad news between those that love.
i've thought it all out, riding home in
the cars-three hours OF solid thinking,''
were Johns first words. ssBut,'' he add
ed. ssthere'll have to be wedding before
anything Is done about it,
Annals silence was Of the sort which is
always safe TO interpret as consent.
Then John told her of his plan, which,
after al was ample enough.
ssI'n pay off the claim on your mothers
farm, and then we'll stay there and take
care OF them. I Thought first Of taking
them TO my place-oura, / mean. It
would be happier for You and me, Anna. :,
$50 il would, john. But mother
would never consent to that. 1t would
kill them both to leave the old place at
their time OF life.''
ssThat's why | decided on the other
plan. Then, though you haven't said TO.
know your mother Wouldn't like to-
feel oeholden 10 me. They've both said
things foolish things, that they never
half meant, and that / never minded
but your mothsr il proud-spirited. I've
been told ii was 10 with AL the Cresgh~
tons. so.they mnan'E kuow tssat 7 pay
she SLAIN. Kan Wpayan'E snsns lfn ~