The Newtown bee., 1900-08-03
The Home Circle.
COURTSHIP OF SHERMAN CRAIG.
ACCOUNT OF MRS LUCINDA MOoRE's
PATHETIC SELF.SACRIFICE.-L. N.
MONTGOMERY IN SPRINGFIELD RE-
PUBLICAN.

Mrs Lucinda Moore looked up from the
pies she was making, out through the
window to the buggy that had just stop.
ped. at her gate; Mrs Lucinda frowned
Ayoung girl with rosy, oval face and
very bright dark eyes had just sprung
out and was tripping up the garden path
between the sweet pea trellises, while the
driver of the buggy, fine-looking man
of middle age, lifted his hat politely and
turned his spirited horse.
''That makes the eighth or ninth time
that Sherman Craig has driven Bessie
home from her music lesson" said Mrs
Lucinda to herself, land don't like it F.!
Bessie says he just happens along and
picks her up. It's queer that he happens
along so regular. Men like Sherman
Craig haven't time to be always on the
road just by accident. And he was here
two nights last week. hate to think it
but do really believe that he is trying
to court Bessie Ind that she more than
half likes it. But II ills 80 I'm not going
to allow it. won't have Bessie marry
ing q man old enough to be her father.
Why, Sherman Craig must be as old Is
I am. But man is never too old to make
. fool Of himself"
Bessie Moore was at the door now, 30
Mrs Lucinda gave up talking to herself
and smoothed her frowns out. She was
slender, pretty woman, who did not
look her 40 years, for she had kept her
fresh color and smiling dark eyes along
with the bright energetic ways of her
girlhood.
''Bessie," she said sharply as the girl
came in, wasn't that Sherman Craig who
brought you home just now?"
eyes, ma" Bessie spoke in the soft
sweet drawl she hsd inherited from her
father. "He picked me up by the
BRIDGE"
"He's got intoa habit of picking you
up, 1t seems to me" said her mother drily.
''Don't you 60 encouraging him, Bessie.
He's too old for you. I won't allow it,
and may as we'll tell you in time."
Bessie looked up with an expression
that was lost on her mother, who was
crimping the edges of her pies. Present.
ly roguish look came into her eyes and
the dimpled corners of her mouth
twitched.
"Why ma, I'm sure Mr. Craig is very
nice man. I've heard you say 80 your.
self.'
''He's nice enough, always did like
Sherman Craig, in his place; but his
place iEn't as your beau, Bessie, though
that's what he's after as plain as can be.
Now, you mind what say. Just give
Sherman Craig gentle hint that he
needn't parade the Bridge road in that
new buggy for your sake-or 1 shall have
to. do it myself"
81 like Mr. Craig" said Bessie boldly,
land I'm sure it's very kind of him to
drive me home. shan't give him any
hints, ma. I'm sure like to talk to him
ever 30 much better than the young min
ister."
Bessie whisked out of the kitchen and
Mrs Lucinda sighed.
II know I'm going to have trouble
with those two. 1 just feel 1t in my
bones. Sherman Craig is kind of fascin-
ating, and Bessie'll 60 and fall in love
with him, like as not. I'll do my best to
prevent 1t, though. Sherman Craig has
got to reckon with me.''
And Mrs Lucinda. shut the oven door On
her pies with firmness that betokened
breakers ahead.for Mr. Craig.
Mrs Lucinda had been a widow for so
long that people had: almost forgotten
that she had ever been anything else.
Bessie was her only child, and the moth.