Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1900-11-15

tells me she don I need any OF my
help"
"She's got the idea, plain enough,
thought the deacon, in great delight,
as Rhoda said that. I'm getting
along spendidly. She's the most SEN
sible girl I ever saw. I wonder how
much farther I'd better go now?
Maybe I'd better wait, just as I'd
made up my mind to, an give her
time to talk it over with her mother
before I come right out with the ques-
ton. will, and it was well that he
came to this decision, and adhered to
it, as he congratulated himself few
days later.
The deacon might have stayed un-
til Mrs. Mason's return, but young
girl friend of Rhoda's came, and that
put an end to his visit.
"You can talk with your mother
and see what she thinks about what
I've been saying" he said, as he took
his departure. "Let me know the
first chance you have"
The next Wednesday evening Rob-
ert Wade was away from home. About
ten o'clock his father heard him come
in.
81 wouldn't wonder if Rob's got an
idea of sparkling somebody" )" thought
the deacon. Maybe it's like the
measles-when it gets started into the
family they all have it, and he
chuckled to think his son might have
caught the disease from him. "Well,
Rob's good boy, and hope he'll do
well in getting a wife, as shall if l
get Rhoda Mason" "
The next morning Rob looked very
wise as he sat down to breakfast op-
posite his father.
1--WE got message for you" he
said, by and by, when the housekeep-
er had left the room. II was over to
the Mason's place, and when | came
away Rhoda told me to tell you that
if you wanted to know what her
mother thought about your house
keeping idea you'd better come over
and talk with her about it. | was
quite surprised to find out you'd got
matrimonial ideas in your head, but |
want to say that think the plan a
most sensible one. Mrs. Mason would
make you a tiptop housekeeper, and
if you'll take the mother I'll take the
daughter. Indeed, I've made an ar
rangment to that effect. Rhoda and
I came to a satisfactory understanding
last night.
1t was well for the deacon that the
housekeeper came In just at this juno
ture. Rob went out, and he betook
himself to his room to collect his be.
wildered senses.
81 begin to understand it, B." he told
himself, by and by. "I've come dread.
fully near making fool of myself
guess I did make fool of myself al
right enough; but what l mean is, J
came dreadfully near getting caught
at it But by the greatest stroke o.
luck that ever happened to me | have
mt been caught. see how it is, Rob''
going to marry Rhoda, and he's been
sparkling her all along, and the CIR
thought | knew it, and she thinks il
was her mother l had in view for a
housekeeper. And, as luck would
have it, l didn't say anything that'll
give me away, if l carry out the de.
ception and marry Rhoda's mother.
If l don't they'll mistrust some.
thing II seems as If fate had some
thing to DO with it. I never thought
of such a thing, but I'm forced right
into it, so to speak. l can't help my
self. And, come to think Of it, its
the proper thing to do. 1t would
have been a foolish thing for an old
man ike me to marry young CIR
like Rhoda. Amt it lucky, now, that
I didn't say any more that day2
stopped Just at the right time and
place. 1t seems sh. told her mother
what l said, and-I'm to come ovel
and talk With her about it. will.
When Deacon Wade made up BIZ
mind to anything he was prompt tt
act. Saturday afternoon saw him set
ting out for the Mason homestead viii
another basket Of strawberries. The
widow was at home this time, and she
welcomed him with blush that made
her look almost as pretty as her daugh'
ter.
"Take seat out on the porch, dea
con, where It's cool, said the widow
"And I'll sit here and hull the berrie
while we rest. Rob's coming over By