The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1902-12-14
Copyrighted. 1902, by Shan F. Bullock.

Hstenin'. Mr.. Hand" said he. with a
nod; and at that George plunged.
It's Just this" he said, "A day or
so ago l met We at the races beyond
IN CLAIM. l was-was glad to see We:
but gladder, I'm of opinion, to see
some one else. 1 watched her all day.
hundred times 1 was wishful to
speak; twenty times went searchin'
Tor yourself, meanin' to ask We toto
present me, an twenty times stopped
at sight of We. 1 was loath. I was
humorous. But now" Again George
paused; again rushed his words. But
now I'm come, Mr.. Greig, to ask your
leave to pay her me respects"
1t was out at last; and, being out,
george sat upright, his eyes hard on
James face. James nodded, sat back
IN MS chair, and looked at the ceiling.
I KNOW" he said. AYE, 1 know"
He looked at George tits my girl,
Mary, We mean, 1 suppose?" he asked.
1t is" answered George. I'm
hearin' that's her name"
ITO be sure" said James. why.
to be sure now. Am 1 right in sayin'
that SO far you've no more than seen
her?"
I'VE passed a word at the door a.
while ago." answered George. YES,
we did. l had half a mine to-but 1
didn't. No, / just waited for word
with yourself"
Il know. Aye. Aw, to be sure"
James sat considering, a hand tapping
the crown of his hat, that slow smile
playing on his face. We'll" said he in
minute, las We say. Mr.. Hand, it's
curious, an it's sudden; but" 1t
was his turn to hesitate. "Oh, it's
your own business, I'm Of opinion. If
so be you're sure o. yourself, an
81 cert in - sold
face is burnt in me. I've seen it day
an night ever since. First sight of it
under that big hat, an it so pale an
tired like took the heart in me. Aw, I'm
certain sure"
II know" James nodded his full
understanding. "An' you'd be wishful
to try your arts upon Ner?"
With your good leave, SIR"
AN you'd mean WELL an you'd do
we'll by her, If so be-
MIR. Greig," said George, "Im a
man We can trust. / mean well an I'll
do we'll. Just as 1 am your daughterll
see me. She can judge for herself I'll
come open-handed, leavin' all I've got
at her two feet; an her wishll be
mine. ALI / want is a chance" said
George; then he, being an Ulster man,
| and having therefore an eye to business
even in love affairs, went on to refer
| handsomely enough, TO his expectations
in the matter of dowry. But James
would not hear him.
Leave that till afterwards" he said
and rose frowning. Time enough tC
| buy the salt when you've caught YOU
| fish,"
Hannah took the news kindly Gas
was her way) and thankfully Gas wei
she might; one thing only she coun.
seled George, even as James had couH-
! seled, that he should go warily. Mary
was strange In her nature, said Han
nah; was shy, was self-willed, was lit
! tie used to men and their ways, wanted
| leading, wanted humoring. You'll finC
her a good girl, Mr.. Hand-though dea
knows I'm not the one should say it
better wife or housekeeper no mai
in. the world could find. Her butte
gets top price in the market, he
| breads the sweetest ever was baked
with needle or crochet hook she's JUS
matchless."
"Ma'am," said George, 81 can wei
believe it,"
"All l can say is this, Mr.. Hand
an God knows 1 say it from me hear
she's as good a girl as ever breath
ed, an wish her the best in life. Al
III be sorry to lose her." sighed Han