Middletown transcript., 1903-07-11

UDAO PiOSiAfAIJ 1CA SAAO sCSOOdOIs
garden and theroomyold kitchen
I am going along, quietly tax
ing possession of her basket anG
; hoe.
! What! without inquiring as Il
what strange pastures I may be
seeking? reluctantly yielding hel
weapons.
I'll venture-with you, softly
and with glance into her eyes
a lovely dark gray at that mo.
} ment-which induced her to pull
her despised bonnet still furthur
over her face as she said hastily
But I'm going for potatoes, and
there's lots of-of-bugs and
things, and indeed I'd much
rather go alone.
You're not very compliment
tary, at any rate. Don't you
think I am equal to the bugs and
things? with an amused laugh.
No, I do not, very emphati-
cally, as she turned and surveyed
his faultless attire, from the
crown of his panama hat to the
tips of his perfectly fitting boots,
secretly admiring his cool look
ing gray suit, and thinking it
would not be much improved by
a visit to the potato field. u Her
survey completed, her eyes went
up again to meet his, in which
there was a world of fun.
You really think that I won't
pass muster?
I am quite sure of it.
| Margaret was decidedly un-
comfortable, for her aunt had
taken her severely to task for the
strawberry escapade, and had
given her 10 understand what she
expected her future conduct to
be toward the gentleman she des-
tined for her SON in-law. She
concluded her remarks-which
would fill a small volume-by
saying that if there should be
any more of Margaret's artful
endeavors to attract Mr.. st.
Johns attention, she should feel
it necessary to call her mothers
authority into action, catastro-
phe the daughter did not relish.
But the young man in question
appeared to have a mind Of his
own, and as I have said, mani
tested a strong inclination for
the rear of the house, sublimely
oblivious of Mrs. Ross illy-con-
cealed disapprobation.
When they reached the gate
which opened into the potato
patch-in native" parlance-l
Margaret put out her hand for
her implements, saying pleas
antly as she did so:
You may now consider your
self dismissed, Mr.. st. John. l |
shall perform these mysterious
rites much more to my satisfac-
tion without spectator.
That's what I call downright |
shabby. I would have you to
understand, if you please, that I |
propose to officiate myself. Now
where shall I begin the impor-
tant ceremony? Here? and he
went to work, while Margaret
watched him with considerable
amusement.
What would Aunt Lizzie say if |
she could see him now! The
strawberry episode was a trife
in comparison, and I only hope
we may get back to the house
without being discovered, watch
ing him nervously as the full
enormity of her transgression, as
her aunt would certainly regard
it, flashed upon her.
The basket was filled at last,
and the aristocratic representa-
tive of naughty old southern
family, with flushed face and
soiled hands shouldered the hoe,
picked up the basket and looked
down at the rather troubled face
of his companion, with a mis-
chievOus smile.
Margaret walked back to the
house in a state of considerable
trepidation, and well she might!
for the first object that met her
gaze was Mrs. Ross, standing
stately and severe in the kitchen
door.
She uttered a little exclama-
tion of dismay when she saw her,
at which her companion glanced
down at her inquiringly, until he
saw the erect form before them,
when he smiled quietly and un-
derstandingly.
He marched straight up to her,
and said innocently:
Fine potatoes, are they not?
them before her, with a