El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1900-10-11
The Old Settle

LA'NEH w a. ~
in the kitchen. I'm going to sell the old
hall settle"
But" gasped Dolly. stirring away
with spasmodir viGor ut the Tomatoes.
"Grardfather Penrif brought that settle
from Holland himself. and it's 200 years
old And it's the last relic OF the old
house on the hill"
still" reasoned Miss PcnriG. I've no
right to keep it. Dolly. Its been almost
a matter of idolItry with me. and per
haps I'd better let it e.. We are poor.
Doliy-very poor"
Dolly lifted the kettle off the stove.
Its no disgrace" said she. with n
comical grimace. but it's most uncom-
monty inconvenicnt."
IF you feel that way. Dorothy" said
Miss Penrif. II don't see why you re-
fused Orlando Daley last week"
Why" said Dolly. opening her blue
eyes very wide, because I dn't love
him"
Hes very rich. Dorothy"
Hes welcome to his money. Aunt
Kizzy."
My goodness me- said Miss Penrif.
who's that driving down the road in a
covered cart?"
II don't know" said she. "but-I-
think it's Johnny Barton"
OH said Miss Penrif. HAS that
young man gone into the express bust
ness?"
Not exactly" said Dolly. busying her
self among the tomato jars. But L
think he drives around picking up old
china and brass fredogs and all such
things for some big collector in New
York"
The little discussion was terminated
by the sudden tapping of Johnny Bar
toms whip handle against the side of the
open door.
How do you do. Mrs. Penrif? ?" said
he. with stupendous self possession
MIR. Barton, aunt" said Dolly. in n
hurried sort of way. This is my aunt.
Miss Penrif, Johnny."
Il don't know what mas procured me
the honor of this call" said Miss Penrif,
Strengthening herself up.
well, ! don't know much about the
honor OF the thug" said John Barton,
laughing. "but I've heard from Mr.. Oak
ley that you wanted to sell an old carved
settle. I'm buying up that sort of thing
oh. indeedf'
Perhaps you would allow me to look
at itF' went on Johnny. resolved on bust
ness
John Barton walked slowly around the
settle. eying it from every point of view
Miss Penrif watched him.
YES, IL is a beauty" said he. What
will you take for 1t. Miss Penrih?"
81 hardly think you can afford to buy
II. young man." said the elderly lady
Grimly-
John Barton Redeemed a little.
oh. as for that" said he. rather awk-
warIly. I'm representing some one else.
Personally perhaps
We'll" said Miss Pcnriff. lit cost $500.
But ! don't expect 10 get its full value"
Aunt Keziah would take $780," fiut-
tered Dolly.
Very WELL" said Mr.. Barton: Its a
bargain. Is there a man about the place
who could help me lift il into the wag-
onE"
There's old SiIas Virgins beyond the
big rock" suggested Dolly.
And while Johnny Barton was gone for
him the old lady sat down on the settle,
where the yellow sunshine glimmcrcd
and the smell of late mignonette came in
at the window.
Here was where ! used to sit" said
she. There was a big stained glass
window in the hall just over il. and n
great fireplace beyond. where they barn
ed such big black logs Of cold winter
nights And there in the other corner
my lover used to sit"
ooh. Aunt Eeziah-' cried Dolly. sud
denly finging her arms around the old
lady's neck. 81 never knew you had n
lover"
Does any woman cCer live to be 20
without n lover, child" said Miss Pen
riff. But your grandfather was a very
ambitious man. He was losing money in
those south sea shipping ventures even
then. though I didn't know it, and he
wanted me to marry n rich man and re-
trieve the family fortune. And Henry
was poor"
Dolly held tight to her aunt's hand.
She chung around her neck, with passion
ate kisses.
~. -. -. A.. Exr ~ \
didn't accept Orlando Daley. Now you
know why 7 love Johnny Barton"
And do you love him. Dorothy"
I'D ride around the whole world with
him in that old covered cart. il you only
say yes sobbcd the girl. II don't care
for money or rank. I only know that I
love john
Dorothy" said she. 'if you love the
lad take him. II was young once!"
And then she went back into the house.
So that she might not see the old Crifins
with the claw feet being carried away
Only two weeks aftcrward Dolly came
eagerly to her aunt.
"JOhnny's uncle * coming down from
New York" said She-''thc gentleman
who bought the mahogany settle. 1t
wasn't for Il store. Aunt keziah, that
John bought it, 1t was for his own
house. He's very rich. and John is his
only heir"
Who's that knocking at the door? It
can't be Johns uncle alreadyi'
Miss Penriff's drawn face had bright
ened into sudden radiance.
Its Henryi' said she. with n start
Dolly looked half frightened. but Mt the
same moment the door opened, and John
Barton came in with another gentleman,
gray and portly.
"He arrived by the & o'clock train, Dol
ly." said he. And only think-he used
to know your annt q lnartcr of a century