The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1899-04-15

oSAS 'N'Ah6 'AuAh'
IA very respectable girl, indeed" said
the parson; land | for one suggest
that we follow this offer up. We ought
to make inquiries; and, though have
plenty to do in the parish" (the others
exchanged quietly amused glances at
this assertion, for it was we'll known
that the parson took his parochial du-
ties very lightly, 81 will go over to
Thorpe st. Barnabas myself and find
out all that can of Mr.. Stephen YAK
ley. But in the meantime, Trip, say
nothing to the girl
A special board meeting was held
few days later. The parsons inquiries
proved satisfactory, and it now only
remained to inform the young woman
of the proposal.
Il suppose you've quite settled it
shall be Susannah West, gentlemen"
said the master, little diffidently.
II suppose so, Trip. Why?" asked
the squire.
"Well, sir, for the matter of getting
rid of one of the women, I'd sooner it
was Mary Pott. She's such grumbling
creature-never satisfied"
$50 she is, Trip; but then she's a
widow, and that is against Mr.. Yaxley's
specifications"
Trip scratched his head. Not a
bad-looling woman, SIR" he observed.
mo, no. But a stipulation is a stip-
ulation; and I, for my part, consider
that Providence has sent this special
offer on purpose for Susannah West"
A murmur of approval followed this
assertion; only the butcher yentured
to demur. "Seems bit oldish for the
girl, don't he, gentlemen?'
"Old? Pshaw! What's 5s?" cried
one and all. Better able to take care
of wife. Got a position" etc.
"Yes, yes; to be sure. OF course that
makes up" said the butcher.
Every WE'LL" said the parson; "then
let it be settled once for all that he have
Susannah West"
Eyes, gentlemen; that is all very
well as far as it goes" observed the
medical officer, who had not yet
spoken. "But the question still re-
mains: Will Susannah West have
him?"
The others looked little foolish, as
though this side of the argument had
not struck them.
"That we can soon find out" said
Parson Weaver, irritably. "Tripp,
fetch the girl here"
In few minutes the girl stood be-
fore them; she looked shy and half
frightened, wondering what the board
could want of her.
"Ha! Susannah, my DEAR" began the
parson-he had called her Miss West
in the days of her prosperity, but one
cannot expect complimentary titles in
the workhouse-"weh have sent for you
--because-in short-well, we have Il
very advantageous offer, which we
think will just suit you"
Before Susannah could make any re-
ply, the squire, determined that the
chaplain should not have it all his own
way, exclaimed in his hearty voice:
"What would you say to good home
and a kind husband, my girl?"
The color flooded Susannah's face;
she gave one startled glance, then stood,
with her eyes on the floor, nervously
plating a corner of her checked apron.
Perhaps it would be as we'll if
read the letter we have received" said
the parson, glazing disapproval at his
neighbor for having forced his hand
Then he put on his spectacles, and
read in slow and ponderous tones Mr..
Stephen Yaxley's epistle, pausing every
now and then to see the effect. If he
expected rapturous gratitude when he
finished he was disappointed. Susan
nah never raised her eyes. Her color
came and went, and her lips trembled;
but she said not word.
swell, my girl" cried the squire, I'M
able to restrain his impotence, "what
do you say to this? Isn't it q fine
chance? I wouldn't think twice about
it if were you. just look at your po-
sition. Here you are in the work.
house at your age, and, like rat, with
out friend in the world. Not any
fault of yours, of course" he added, as
panied expression fitted across the
girls face.
perhaps she would like little time
tothink it over" suggested the butcher,
in his thick, husky voice.
"Have you got nothing to say, Su-
sannah?" inquired the parson, rather
sternly.
The girls fingers interlaced nervous
ly.
"You are very kind, gentlemen; but
[I-don't know what to say"
She looked around appcalingly, des-
perately.
Come, come, be quick to settle it,
girl. We don't want another special
meeting called" cried the squire.
The medical officer rose: II think,
gentlemen, perhaps if saw Miss West
alone for minute she might give me
an answer. She feels embarrassed,
can see."
"Quite right, Evesham," said the
parson. "They can go into your room,
Trip, can't they?"
Trip, jumping up with alacrity, led
the way to his tobacco-scented little
sanctum.
"Sit down, Susannah," said the doc
tor, kindly. "Now don't be Hurried.
You have heard this offer; it seems
good one for you. But don't say
Yes if you'd rather not. Just think
it over little"
He turned his back on her, and, GO
ing over to the mantelpiece, examined
quaint old china group of an Eng
lishman, Scotchman and Irishman,