Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1904-04-28

She was rich and he was poor, and he
dared not ask her to marry him, and al
times he was miserable.
His kind old aunt read his secret
and she said: Don't be downhearted
Harry. If Miss Caroline loves you, she'll
let YOU know it plain enough before she
goes away. She perhaps won't ask you
right out to marry her, but she'll say
something that will just force you 10
propose and show you that she wants
you to-"
Harry was comforted, and lay in wait
for some suggestion that would war
rant him in asking the important ques-
ton.
She was to return to the city in anoth-
err week, and in the evening she suggest
ed to Harry a stroll through the or
chard. She seemed more confidential
than usual, and when they reached the
stile on the other side Of the Enclosure
she said.
Let us sit down, Harry. have
something to say to you"
Harry's heart thumped so loudly that
he thought she would hear 1t. "T
is coming" he murmured under his
breath.
They sat down side by side. She was
silent for a morent, and then said: q
scarcely know how to begin, for the mat
ter of which desire to speak Is very i'm.
portant"
Harry was tempted to slip his arm
around her waist, but he restrained
himself, and she went on: For yea
or more l have been looking for MAJ
like you, and having found him, fee
that l can go home happy, provided, o
course, that you accept my proposal"
Dear lady" began the besotteC
lover, but she stopped him by saying:
wait till l get through. 1t is new
experience to me, and l want to finish
without interruption.
please go on" whispered Harry.
She turned toward him and said
clearly and distinctly: Il want to know
first, Harry, if you have any objection
to getting married"
His head swan at these words, anC
he caught at the fence to keep from fall
ing to the ground. She was tapping
the lower step with her foot while wait
ing for his answer, which after severa
efforts he made in these words: Moth
ing could make me happier"
at is all right, then" she said, smil
ing. Now, my dear boy, listen to me.
go on" murmured Harry.
II believe l told you once" said the
lady, that inherited from my grand
father a large farm, the old family es
tate, and a part of the fortune he willet
me-"
81 had forgotten" whispered Harry
WELL" she continued, that farm ha:
been a worry to my trustees and to me
for the man in charge of it is an ig'
norant, incapable person, and it has
actually been run at loss for several
years. don't like to sell it, for it Ii
old family property, and l don't like tc
keep it at an expense"
YES" said the bewildered Harry.
Now" said Miss Stewart, Il de.
termined some time ago to hire a new
superintendent, but could not find ont
to suit me. When l came here no
ticed that you seemed very familiar
with farm work, and it occurred to me
that you might be the man wanted.
determined to satisfy myself Of your
fitness for the place, and 1 must say
first that my investigation has had sat
isfactory results. l shall offer you the
place under certain conditions"
Madam" said Harry.
wait" she interrupted, there are
certain conditions There is a com.
Portable house on the farm which you
must occupy, but rooms must be re-
served for my husband and myself, fol
we shall probably spend a few weeks
there each summer"
your husband?" groaned Harry.
YES" said the lady. 'Mr. LansdoV
and l are to be married this winter, vol
know, and shall visit the farm mex
summer unless we conclude to remain
abroad for another year."
"Oh," muttered Harry.
'T spoke to Mr.. Lansdow about yor
soon after l came here, and he ap'
proved my plan, but he made sugges
ton that l think wise He says yor
ought to get married. The farm will
need a mistress"
"Indeed?" said the befuddled Harry
"Yes," said the lady, "and while test
ing your fitness for superintendent,
have been arranging to secure you &
wife. Ny maid, Nora Jeffries is willing
to marry you and help manage the farm
l have written to her. left her at home
you know, for there is no room for hel
here. You will like her, know. Sht
is not pretty, but she is strong, indus
trious and good tempered, and not ye
80 years old. You can go to see her
of course, but that is hardly necessary
for she has consented. The reason
want you to marry her is that she knows
my ways, and will be great conven
| fence to me when visit the place in thu