Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1905-06-22
Continued.

the bottom of the stairs announcing
tea
With persons Of the B0xall class,
tea Is the meal OF the day-it Is the
one meal which all can partake OF In
mutual leisure and ease.
Mr.. Boxall is one OF those men who
praise be to them-"always come
home to tea" and seldom does he ar
rive without some dainty TO enrich
their festive repast.
Tonight there is dish Of tea-cake,
cold ham, and some steweI Normandy
pippins--the latter specially provided
for Carrie, who has not yet passed the
sweet-tooth age.
Mr.. BoXall--who has exchanged HIS
city coat and boots for a lounge jacket
and sllppers--greets them with his
usual smile,-a smile Of affection and
respect, finely commingled, and draws
Carries favorite chair to the fire, MS
he shakes hands with May.
Never in all his life has the worthy
little man been so happy as he has
been during these past few weeks.
The mere fact Of having the two
beautiful girls beneath his roof and
under his protection Is a source OF de.
light to him, In the city he holds his
head even higher than he used when
he was confidential clerk to the great
Samuel Dalton; all day long he Is on
the lookout for something to buy as q
treat for one or both Of them.
For May he entertains respect that
il as Ike the feudal devotion Us we
can approach In these matter-of fact
days, and for Carrie, golden-haired
Carrie, he cheriShes u love that Is
simply paternal.
II they want to repay him for all
that he has done for them, they have
only to smile and look happy, and his
gratitude knows no bounds,
Tonight, as he draws Carries chair
forward, and puts another for May mt
the table, where she will insist upon
cutting the bread and butter and as
sisting generally, he beams more
cheenly than ever. May, as she meets
his beaming smile. feels the Vicar OF
Warley's letter burning like a coal In
her pocket,
Vol, Miss Carrie" he says, rub
hing his hands, did you think was
never coming? ought to apologize
for being 80 late. I've been detained
in the city, No, I've motive been
,to the West END" and he smiles. Pm
afraid you find II very dull, Miss
May"
Duh, MOI" says May, cutting away
at the bread and butter
oh, but you do, You know" he
snys, conhlontly-"l know you 10.
You miss things--it's natural You
miss your horse-riding, for instance,
and your music, eh2"
May shakes her head.
"0h but YOU do Come now. be can
did" he says. But you shan't miss
IL long-not after tomorrow, Miss
May"
Tomorrow" asks May, smiling
across the table at him.
Yes" he mods, with beaming
smile, Il didn't mean to say any
thing about It. but I'm bui one to
keep a secret. I've bought piano
for YOU young ladies; none of your
German instruments, but real Broad
wood Oh, hope ! know what is
due YOU my dears?'
May puts down the knife and looks
across at him with something like
sorrowful regret.
Oh MIR. Boxall!"
Mr. Boxall rubs his hands with
keen enjoyment for her dismay.
And why oh, Mr.. Boxall?'" he
says, with n chuckle. DO you think
] was going to let YOU NOPE ana pine
Tor want of a little music Besides
You needn't look so sorrowful. Miss
May. it's a pieceof pure selnshness, for
it's me and the missis will benefit by
1t, You can't play 1t without our
hearing 1t. hope youll like It. They
say it's fine tone. and you needn't
think anything OF II, I've had a very
good week in the city. MS your poor
lhNitl upNu W SHNt Hlld ] We NlhHTtu
two, ah, halfa-lozen Broadwoods
What's the matter, Miss Carrier for
Carrie began to whimpor.
May goes around to him and puts
her hand on his arm--tho thin, small
arm that has done knights service in
her behalf
Il am SO sorry you should have
done this" she says, and her lips
culver, II am afraid you will think us
nngratcful; hut--hut you will read
that, Mr.. Boxall? You will not mis-
understand us. will your" and she
puts the advertisement and letters In
his hand.
With knitted brows he reads them
reads them over twice, then looks at
her, CONSERVATION and indignation bat.
Ting for mastery.
What" he exclaims, at last. You
don't mean this? It's a joke, Miss
May" ANA he laughs. but Mays sor-
rowful look of appeal alarms him.
'What?" he almost shouts. You