The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1900-05-10

veranda in prompt answer to the sum-
mons.
''This is my sou, gentlemen said
Mrs Bartlett, indicating a young man
who stood in a non-committal attitude
near the corner of the room The pro.
fessor recognized him as the person
who had taken charge of the horses
when his father came home. There
was evidently something of his fathers
demeanor about the young man, who
awkwardly and silently responded to
the recognition of the strangers
"And this is my daughter" continued
the good woman. "Now, what might
your names be?'
my name is Yates, and this is nv
friend, Prof. Remark, of Tronto,"
pronouncing the name of the fair city
in two sylla bles, as is, alas! too often
done. The professor bowed, and Yates
cordially extended his hand to the
young woman. 'How do you do, Miss
Bartlett?'' he said II am happy to
meet you.''
The girl smiled very prettily, and said
she hoped they had pleasant trip out
from Fort Erie.
'Oh, we had," said Yates, looking for
a moment at his host, whose eyes were
| fixed on the tablecloth, and who ap-
| peared to be quite content to let his
| wife run the show. The roads little
rocky in places, but it's very pleas
ant
''Now you sit down here. and you
here,' said Mrs. Bartlett; land l do
hope you have brought good appetites
with you.''
The strangers took their places, and
Yates had a chance to look at the
younger member of the family, which
opportunity he did not let slip. It was
hard to believe that she was the daugh-
ter of SO crusty a man as Hiram Bart
lett. Her cheeks were rosy, with dim
pies in them that constantly came and
went, in her incessant effort to keep
from laughing. Her hair, which hung
about her plump shoulders, was love-
~ golden brown. Although her dress
was of the cheapest material, it was
neatly cut and fitted; and her dainty
white pinafore added that touch of
wholesome cleanliness that was so no.
tlceable everywhere in the house. A
bit OF blue ribbon at her white throat
and flower of the spring just below
1t completed charming picture, which
a more critical and less susceptible man
than Yates mil ht have contemplated
with pleasure.
Miss Bartlett sat smilingly at one end
OF the table, and her father grimlv at
the other. The mother sat at the side,
apparently looking on that position as
one of vantage for commanding the
whole field and keeping her husband
and her daughter both under her eve.
The teapot and cups were set before
the young woman. She did not pour
out the tea at once, but seemed to be
waiting instructions from her mother.
That good lady was gazing with some
sternness at her husband, he vainly en-
deavoring to look at the ceiling or any,
where but at her. He drew his open
hand nervously down his face, which
was Of unusual gravity even for him.
Finally he cast an appealing glance at
his wife, who sat with her hands folded
on her lap, but her eyes were unrelent-
ing. After a moments hopeless irreso-
luton, Bartlett bent his head over his
plate and murmured:
"For what we are about to receive.
on, make us truly thankful. Amen -
Mrs. Bartlett echoed the last word.
having also bowed her head when she
saw surrender in the troubled ewes of
her husband.
Now, it happened that Yates, who
had seen nothing of this silent struggle
OF the eyes, being exceedingly hungry,
was making every preparation for the
energetic beginning of the meal. He
had spent most of his life in hotels and
New York boarding houses, so that II
ne ever knew the adage "Grace be.
fore meals he had forgotten it. In
the midst of his preparations came the
devout words, and they came upon him
as stupefying surprise Although
naturally a resourceful man, he was
not quick enough this time to cover his
confusion. Miss Bart1ett's golden head
was kbowed, but out Of the corner OF
her eye she saw Yates look of amazed
bewilderment and his sudden halt Of
surprise. When all heads were raised
the young girls still remained where
1t was, while her plump shoulder.
quivered. Then she covered her. IN e