Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1904-08-01

like sensitive, high spirited dwarf
trying to avoid seeing tall men. The
whole town was going to hear the gov
ernor's address the next Sunday; the
whole town was talking Of his admira-
ton for the belle of the place. For the
remainder of the week George was un-
certain what he should do, but when
the eventful morning arrived he went
to livery stable, engaged horse and
buggy and drove out to his mothers.
He might have chosen better, for the
sordid surroundings OF the farmhouse,
which had never seemed like home to
him in the highest sense, only made
him feel more depressed.
THE Lord knows I'm astonished to
see YOU" Mrs Buckley said as she
came to the door wiping her fat hands
on her apron. why, all the settle
ment, it seems to me, has gone in town
to see the governor, but somehow l
didn't care to go. I'm too old to ride
ten miles In joltin' wagon to see jest
q man. How do you come on!"
II Aeel all right" George replied. II
didn't care to hear the speech"
You say you didn't?' Mrs. Buck
ley's heavy brows ran together. She
stood for moment eying her son with
sympathetic fixity. She had heard the
rumor OF the governors attentions to
Lydia Cranston. They were now In
the sitting room. and he stood warm
@,,.v 4, Il haFopo a Hro
"Oh, George" she suddenly got out,
IT wish you'd let me talk to you an
not git mad"
"Mad? Why, mother" he exclaimed,
chow could get mad at your
The old woman sat down in her low
chair In the chimney corner. you are
my boy" she said, tremor In her gen.
tie voice, IAN some things hurt-cut
me to the quick. oh, George, wish
you would sort O. be content with COM
mon folks like we all are. You are as
good. every bit an grain, as that Vir-
ginia gal, but somehow she's situated
different. Now, fer instance, they say
she's got a chance, an good one, to
marry the governor"
II Think she has" George said cold
IL, his lips tightening, but what Of
that, mother?"
ooh, II nearly kills me to have folks
think you-you want to get some'n' an
cayn't," replied the old woman plain
lively. AN, George, as things go in
this world, Lydia Cranston will have
to take that offer. She cayn't git
around it. Gals kin have Their choice,
an'-mind you, don't know thing
she may, down in her heart, like you
the best on account o. you bein' youn-
ger an better lookin', but folks in her
walk o. life, / reckon, have to sorter
look to the future. Her folks will
make her, eff she draws back. George,
Ii hope you don't feel bad about 1t"
Mother, I'm all right" He sat down
before the fire. He looked out through
the small paned window upon wide
stretch Of cotton land where he had
toiled through his boyhood. To the
left, inside the garden fence. was the
log smok ehouse, the barn and stables
to the eight, the yard where the chick
ems and ducks were scratching the
earth FOR food. The old woman said
nothing was nothing she could
say, for his reply had not treasured
her.
"Why do you think anything is wrong
with rney" he suddenly asked. Has
anybody
"You cayn't keep folks mouths shet, {"
Mrs. Buckley said You've got more
friends AN any, boy in all this noun
tain country, but even body's best
friends will git jealous when he begins
to rise in the world. Most Of 'em
thought you was fiyin' too high, George,
all along-in visitin' the best in OAR
ley-an' they are tickled to be able to
circulate the report that she's goin' to
marry the governor of the state. You
see. they kin say that an not seem to
be talkin' agin you. but they are
chucklin' all the same"
II can't help their talking nor their
thinking" Buckley said. with sigh.
But I believe I'd put bold face
on 1t an laugh at the Idea o maryin'
anybody right now. Then I'd sorter
slack OF FROM goin' to the Cranstons'.
George, kin stand anything better, it
seems to me. than havin.. 'em all think
you are miserable over It an when the
wedding takes place
''Tlen you count on It as certainty.
do youW His face clouded over, and,
In spite OF his self control, his voice
rang harshly.
She stared at him pttylngly. '"Thar's
no use talkin' about It," she said soft
ly. George. you hain't ready to ad-
NIT It, an that's the wust sign Of all.
You Jest cayn't see 1t like other folks,
an thar's jest one reason fer that
you cayn't stand to think it possible"
He voiced no denial. What was the
use? The old woman, crude as she
was, had known him from the first pull
sation Of the life that was now raging
like a mad torrent within him. In his
minds eye he had a glimpse Of the vii
lage church, packed to the doors with
IN eager, expectant crowd He saw
the flowers on the altar. There was
profound hush. The Cranston carriage
had driven up. The governor Of the
state was assisting two ladies to alight.
All eyes were on the party Of four as