Middletown transcript., 1903-07-18
THE OLD OAkEN BUCKET
BY ADA BEERS FA
BY ADA BEERS FAY.

IndG CuIpflt; SIdAoiho "
garet as he was about to retreat,
and noting the downcast face,
changed his tactics, and turning
toward her he asked if he might
not wash his hands there, as ne
was too lazy to go upstairs.
Certainly, said Margaret al
most smiling at the expression
on her.aunt's face.
She took down a shining TIN
pan, filled it with warm water
laid soap and fresh towels beside
it, then went quietly about her
preparations for dinner. For
once Mrs. Ross was checkmated,
for when he was ready to leave,
he politely insisted on carrying
her off with him.
Mrs. Percy was "button-holed
by her sister that very evening,
and there is no denying the fact
that she maliciously enjoyed that
lady's communication.
I think, Fanny, said Mrs. Ross
in conclusion, that it would be
well for you to advise her a little
on the subject. Margaret is very
young and inexperienced, and
Mr.. st. John is extremely agree
able-quite fascinating indeed.
He has quite turned the heads OF
a score or more girls since |
have known him, and he has the
name of being a dreadful tiirt-
but place little credence in that
report. I should be very sorry
if the poor child's affections
should become SO hopelessly en-
gagged. Just a little hint from
YOU to the effect that he is, OF
course, merely amusing himself
will be sufficient for a girl OF
Margaret's spirit.
Vevy well, Lizzie, will speak
to Margaret.
Her faded blue eyes followed
her sisters retreating form from
the room, with an odd CLEAN in
them as she muttered:
I shall do nothing of the kind,
Mrs. Ross. If I do not greatly
mistake, you have gone widely
astray in your calculations. !
should not be at all surprised,
from present appearances, if the
young gentleman should prove
to be a candidate for the position
Of nephew to your ladyship, in
stead Of aspiring to the closer
tie for which you destine him.
Who is going to church this
morning? inquired Mrs. Ross at
the breakfast table one Sunday
morning a couple Of weeks later.
All of US, I presume, replied
Mrs. Carpenter as she glanced
around the table. It's pretty
warm, but then the walk is
shaded most of the way.
And such a pretty one you
know, chimed in Miss Maud, as
she looked across at Mr.. st.
John whose eyes were following
Margaret from the room.
Are you going, Fanny? asked
Mrs. Ross.
No, not to-day, thank you. It's
quite too warm for me.
Why, there's Mr.. Davis! ex-
claimed Maud.
Well, we must start in good
season that we may not be hur-
ried and fatigued when we get
there, admonished Mrs. Ross
with a warning glance at her
daughter, as they all left the
table and passed out on the
piazza to Mr.. Davis.
Are you going to church, Miss
Percy? asked Mr.. st. John as he
re-entered the dining-room a few
minutes later, where Margaret
was clearing away the breakfast
things.
Yes, if I can get through my
work in time.
Will you let me 60 with you?
I'm strangely tempted to be very
good to-day, and you should al
ways encourage such noble as
pirations, you know.
| have not the slightest objec-
ton. 7 believe theyare all going,
but mother.
0, but let us give them the
slip-so to speak. I never feel
pious on a Sunday if I'm in a
crowd-honestly now. I don't
really, with a solemn face.
Now 7 do not know whether
she delayed purposely or not;
but I do know that the others
had all gone when she came down
stairs looking like a picture, in
a pale blue muslin which fitted
her to perfection, and with a
pretty Tuscan straw hat resting
on her brown hair. She found
the piously inclined young gen