Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1900-01-11
SANS GRANDMOTHER.

Come at last, I see. Ny dear fel-
low, I am really glad to see you" 1t
was handsome young man who spoke
the words to another, who had just
leaped lightly from the train at neat
village not a thousand miles from
well, no matter where. ut does me
good to see you, dear old boy. I
didn't half think you would come"
"You can't be more delighted to see
me than I am to be here, Sam. Why
didn't you think I would come? I
wrote you would"
ooh, yes; but fancy what you had
To-. Where's your luggage, Jack ?"
Fright here-a big telescope and
my guncase you said you had some
good shooting about these woods.
Eyes, we have that Come, bundle
the traps right into the buggy, and
we'll be off. 1 dare say Mime has had
supper waiting this half hour"
"Up you go, then" Jack Cameron
tossed his things into the back of the
low buggy, took seat beside Sam,
who already sat holding his lines, and
they were off down the smooth road to
Woodside, the pretty place, two miles
from town, where Sam Dermott lived
with his old maid sister, since the
death of their father left them the
owners of land and property.
Explain yourself, old man, said
Jack, turning to his friend, as they
bowled along "Why did you imagine
I would not come ?"
"Oh, you were spending your yaca-
tion at your brother Toms, and they
had lot of pretty girls there, and
"Just stop right now. Sam that is
the identical reason l ran away
What, from the girls p
Exactly. Toms wife is regular
little matchmaker, as you know. She
had those girls out partly with that
very idea-think it is time l was set
tied, and all that, you see. l got SO
fearfully tired of their dressing and
flirting and making eyes at fellow
and talking as if butter wouldn't melt
in their mouths-ah, bah! 1t makes
me sick now Don't you ever believe
I was going to stay there when l could
be out here with you and Miss Mime
not much !"
Sam threw back his head and gave
a hearty laugh.
Mighty glad we are to get you on
any terms, Jack, lad but aren't you
triae hard on the girls ? They are not
all like that
"Well, most of EN- are. I'm sick
of the whole business. Haven't got
girl waiting for me here, have you?
I'll go straight back if you have.
"Then I wouldn't tell you if there
was one. But no, there isn't female
soul on the place except sister Jemima
and her cook and housemaid, nor very
many in the near neighborhOod.
Sure you have not a few coming
for little visit ?"
mo, not expecting any. Oh, yes,
Mime did get letter from our re-
spected grandmamma, saying she might
drop in on US this week. Nobody
else, l assure you"
Drive on, then. We will let the
good grandmamma come if she wants
to. She won't interfere with our
shooting and fishing. I'm content to
stay as long as you'll let me, Sam"
Then you won't go back to the
city grind in a hurry, tell you that
Get up, Dan Show your heels to our
friend, can't you? He's little dan
dy, Jack Cost me a cool two hun
dred, and I would not look at three
for him any day."
The girls were quite forgotten in
Sans pet pony, and before they
reached WoOdside Jacks face had en-
tirely lost its tired look Of disgust
with the world in general. Miss Je-
NINA (or Mime, as she was usually
called was standing on the front ve-
randi io welcome them and bid them
hasten to get ready for supper, or her
nice hot rolls would be spoiled.
They were soon seated at her hos
pitable board, and Jack did full JUS
tice not only to the rolls, but the fra
grant coffee, rich cream, fresh home
cured ham and eggs, and all the other
dainty dishes in which Miss Mines S
heart delighted. After supper they
paid visit to the stables before dark,