The Newtown bee., 1900-08-03

can tell what q Moore will do. But feel
dreadful disappointed. Sherman will be
kind to her, haven't q doubt, and he's
we'll to do and wise; but I did want
Bessie to marry somebody else than a
farmer. That minister, now-but there
is no use thinking about that. It would
only aggravate me. This will be come
down to Annetta Flatt, that is one small
comfort. She's been angling for Sherman
bite me when I spoke to her yesterday.
Goodness knows, she needn't blame me
for making the match. She can't feel
much worse about it than do.''
After Bessie showed Sherman Craig In.
to the sitting-rOom the next evening she
gavesher mother sweetly appealing looh
and vanished. Mrs Lucinda's "Good
evening" was crisp and frosty in the ex.
treme. 1t plainly disconnected Sherman,
and he talked constHainedly.
Mrs Lucinda noted scornfully the de.
tails of his attire. He always dressed
smartly, but he had new suit on to.
night, and his hair and mustache had
been carefully trimmed. He wore a
white silk tie, and had a chryeanthemum
in his button-hole.
'Looks like bridegroom already, -
thought Mrs Lucinda Grossly.
Sherman was plainly nervous, and bis
incorporating vis.a-vis wouldn't help
him out. After half-hour of jerky con.
versation, during which he had watched
Mrs Lucinda's flying needles with fas-
cinated eye, he came oyer and sat down
on the sofa beside her.
"Lucinda," he said in shaky way, 81
came up tonight to ask you q certain
question"
1--WE good idea what it is," said Mrs
Lucinda.
Her tone was certainly forbidding, but
Sherman frightened up visibly.
"Then-then may ask it?" He bent a
little nearer.
II don't suppose can prevent you,"
said Mrs Lucinda bitterly. 1.-THE thing
may as we'll be settled now as any other
time. Bessie will have to have her own
way suppose, but won't pretend to be
willing, for I'm not. You're too old for
Bessie, and you ought to have sense
enough to know it,
During this speech Sherman Craig's
face had undergone startling variety Of
expressions. At the last sentence he
sprang to his feet.
Lucinda, he gasped, "you don't mean
to tell me you think it's Bessie I've been
counting all alopg!"
"Not Bessie ~ Mrs Lucinda's voice ex.
pressed the last degree of amazement
"Who thene"
"Why-you!"
"Mer"
''Yes. you" repeated Sherman energet-
ically. "Why, Lucinda, you must have
known"
II didn't" gasped POOR Mrs Lucinda,
trying to collect her thoughts. 81
thought it was Bessie you wanted-and
what ia more the girl thinks so herself"
"Bessie Impossible! Why, Lucinda,
she's nothing but child compared to me.
I've tried to be kind to her, 80 that she'd
like me but she knew it was you I came
to see."
"She didn't know" said Mrs Lucinda,
firmly, land she has taken notion to
you, Sherman Craig. Why, tell you
she cried last night because told her 1
wasn't willing for you to have her. This
will break her heart"
"There's something here don't ur der
stand" said the poor bewildered lover.
SIN sure Bessie couldn't have thought
10. Go and ask her, IT you don't believe
ne.'
$50 will,' and Mrs Lucinda na.ched |
With very red cheeks to the kitchen,
where Bessie was reading a book Sher.
nan had brought her.
"Bessie Moore; want to ask you a
traight question, and want you to an
wer it straight. Did you think 1t was
7ou Sherman Craig came here to sec ?"
Bessie went off into peal of laughter.
$50 you've found out at last! No, in.
Iced, ma! l knew 1t was you, and 30 did
else in Jordan, you dear old
loose. When you took it into your head
hat he was after me, just let you think
o for a oke, but never dreamed you'd
70 so long in finding out the difference.
t was dreadfully funny to see you sitting
here every evening he came, 80 that he
wouldn't have chance to make love to
le."
"He was always driving you home from
lacas," cried her mother.
Eyes, partly to please you andypartly,
guess, to get me on bis side. Why, ma,
e thinks I'm baby. He's crazy about
ou-sveryone says so. Last night he
ave me pretty broad hint that he was
ding to say something important to you
o-night and that was to leave the coast
lear"
sand, Bessie, you don't want him
ourself?"
II do want him very much-as a step.
Ither. Do 60 back, ma, and put him
ut of misery"
"I've made an awful fool of myself"