The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1904-06-29

me, Maria Ellen, that you won't say
No t. the elder If he asks you t. marry
him"
II can't promise that, mother.
don't love him.
Love! Silly nonsense! He's good
man, he'll be kind to you; he'd make
you love him. And see how rich he
lis! Maria Ellen, you say you'll have
him!'
Maria Ellen looked at her mothers
wildly anxious face, almost frightened.
She fell into a chair, sobbing, with her
face in her hands. Her mother did not
soften, even at those tears. She be-
lieved she was acting for her daugh-
ter's good and happiness, and she in
tended to conquer. She waited mo-
ment, then she brought forth her
strongest arguments
We're poor, Maria Ellen. Here's
the winter comm on; there amt pros
poets of hardly any SEWN; We amt
| got anything in for winter much, and
amt got decent thing to wear.
That's why don't go out more than
l do, t church or anywheres. Where're
we goin' t. get food n Clothes I'd like
t. know? D. you want t. freeze n
starve? never supposed you'd be
that kind Of daughter to mel"
Then Mrs Turner herself sat down
and cried. Maria Ellen dried her own
tears and got up. She looked at her
mother moment in silence, then she
said:
Mother, see here. Do you want rue
to marry Elder Burrows, knowing as
you do that IL love another? You
know 1 do. The question is, do you
want me to wreck my happiness and
his, too, just for nice home and lit
tie money!"
I'm only wantin' what know is for
your own good, Maria Ellen, and what
l know you'll thank me for afterwards.
Goodness only knows what'll become
of us if you don't marry him; don't"
Then Mrs. Turner fell to sobbing
again She knew how to play the win
ming hand with her daughter, and
when to play her trump card Maria
Ellen turned a white set face toward
her.
'Then I'll marry him." she said.
You will, Maria Ellen? You'll have
the elder?'
eff lie asks me, yes. For your sake.
l can't stand it. mother, to have you
think me ungrateful and unwilling to
make sacrifice for you. we won't
say any more about it,"
ooh, you make me so happy!" cried
her mother. She would have kissed
her daughter then, so grateful was she
for the longed-for consent, but the girl
gave her no opportunity, going quickly
Upstairs without another word.
Nothing further was said about the
matter, but Mrs. Turner could not con-
ceal her satisfaction, while Maria Ell
len went about with pale face, on
which was the determined look of mar
tyrdom.
The next evening Elder Burrows
called. Maria Ellen was upstairs and
her mother received him beamingly.
Set right down, elder" she said,
while Slip in and light the fire in
the other room"
| There was wood stove in the room,
and the fire was soon throwing out a,
comfortable heat
'I'll call Maria Ellen" said Mrs.
Turner. She'll come right down"
Never mind" replied the elder.
Whats the hurry?"
Well, s'pose it amt hardly warm
enough in the other room yet. let
Maria Ellen have her company in
there"
ooh. you do?"
eyes. I might be in the way, you
know"
Not in my opinion" said the elder,
in a tone which caused the widow to
look at him in surprise 81 want to
keep you right close to me all the time.
Are you willing?"
/ We'll, s'pose I'll have t. go where
Maria Ellen does, and I'm as willin'
as can be, elder, if you are, and
thank you for the chance. It's her
happiness I'm thinkin' Of"
why, yes, of course, Maria Ellen
shall live with us till she finds good
husband of her own"
"What?"
/; Tie widow fairly sprang out of her
chair in her surprise.
Don't you mean you want to marry
Maria Elem" she cried.
Maria Ellen?" said the elder. "That
little girl? Well, no, hadn't thought
of it. It's you want to marry. I
thought you understood"
"And all the time"
A few minutes later there was
knock on the outside door and the
widow and her elderly admirer sudden
ly pushed their chairs a little further
apart. There was something very like
a girlish blush on the woman's cheeks,
as she went and opened the door.
Maria Ellen was in her room, wait
ing the summons which she dreaded.
She felt that she was about to throw
away all the happiness she had ever
hoped to have, but she would do It
unflinchingly She heard her mother