Evening star., 1900-04-07

this tiny thing in the white frocks. with
hair like spun sunshine, who cung con-
fdingly to his finger. and could barely lisp
his name. was nearly as good fun as the
puppy he sighed for but was forbidden to
keep, and even better than the big dolls he
saw in the shop windows and coveted, in
spite Of being boy.
Marcia had remained a sort Of glorifled
don to him, until she became suddenly and
mysteriously a Woman-the one woman in
all the world. 1t took him six months to
muster courage TO tell her so. Throughout
them he had been outwardly quite the
same. Even at the last there was no ap-
proach to sentiment. He had said: Marcia,
| shall have to marry you to keep you out
of mischief" Marcia had laughed back at
him: well. say nothing about it yet-if you
do. 'Tanty Tom will lock you up for
lunatic She knows l have not a penny to
my name
They had come to an agreement, notwith-
standing. They meant to wait a year be-
fore speaking out. until Marcia should be
nineteen and quite old enough to marry.
But when man proposes to the wrong wo-
man-wrong in the eyes Of his pastors and
masters-fate commonly dispOses to bring
this case was Miss Sarah Ashbel. She
came visiting Tanty Tom, and saw and con-
quered that good woman.
Sarah was stout and b1ack-eyed and
ruddy, comfortably rich wttha1, to say
nothing of expectations from a bachelor
uncle. Once more Miss Lucindy-Tom felt
distinctly grateful to Providence. Here
was the wife John needed. brought ready
to his hand. He would not have to stir
to do bis counting. Sarah was to stay
month. In the course Of 1t there was op-
portunity for the most decorously ardent
wooing Throushout fortnight Miss Lu-
cindyTom waited hopefully for the WOO
ing to begin. Then she took the bit in her
teeth.
John rs so desperately shy I shall have
to speak to you for him, Sarah she said
ing upon the pair. Sarah blushed and
bridled, but smiled anliably. John got fiery
red. but since he was gentleman tried to
save the situation
THAT is mighty kind of you, Tanty," he
said as airily as he could. Il didn't think
you knew, but l see there Is no use trying
to fool you. 1 am so glad to have Miss
Sarah the very first to congratulate me
on my engagement. She has seen Marcia
she knows how lucky 1 am"
Marcia
Tanty Tom almost shrieked the name.
John nodded, and nlurmured:
ut is a little unlucky-our fancying each
other. Miss Marticia is certain to OBJ
jet
'Is she?" Tanty Tom Interrupted grimly
wait and see! Marticia Ewing never did
sensible thing in her life. 1t is most too
late now for her to begin"
John waited to hear no more. In an hour
he had asked Miss Marticia, plumply. for
her nieces hand She had looked at him
StefDly Jndn he nau DelleVeQ eyes so
kind could look, and said:
II must speak with Marcia-and I sha MT
do that until after 1 think over every
thing
She had taken a day and night to think
night nearly sieepless. She was just, but
not judicial She wanted nothing so much
to insure Marcia's happiness. Marcia
could not be deeply in love-she was too
well used to John for that. She was so
young, too-and other beaux SO plenty
She might take her nick Of
Decidedly 1t would be wicked to let her
waste herself and her youth upon John
Warfield. OF course. John would not think
Of leaving his aunt. Equally. of course,
Marcia be subject to Miss Lucindy Tom s
restrictions.
She had led up to the subject with art
less art as she sat by her snug firesids
toward IL o'clock in the morning: Logs
still burned in the sitting room-the fur
mace to the contrary Notwithstanding.
What with the fire. the thick carpet, the
easy. weil-worn chairs, the flowers In the
was CHEEKY place, a fit exponent of its
CHEEKY mistress. She glanced about 1t and
| sat up very straight as she answered Mar
cia.
But that ought to settle the matter for good
| and all. Ewing is a better name than
Wartield anywhere you speak 1t. II you
| have any pride IN your blood, any love for
| marry into no family where you are not
only welcome. but felt to do 1t credit"
| i can't do that aunty." Marcia said.
! growing pale. "You-you have brought me
| going to marry John as soon as you will
let me"
| Then you'll wait forever" Miss Marticia
! said. her eyes swapping. II am ashamed
| my own blood-and l have been so proud
Of 1t always. John Warfleld too good for