Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1905-11-22


Mary had been so uncompromising
~ practical and deliberate in making
preparations for her marriage, that 70
nance was the last thing to be sus-
pected Of lurking in her soul. Her
marriage meant the losing Of valu-
able member Of the household, where,
for several years. her capabilities had
kept the wheels running smoothly.
She was not servant, but rather
housekeeper who held the family 81
terests close at heart, and regarded
those with whom she lived as ''her
people," receiving a like regard from
them in return.
Her courtship was a long one DC
casionally there would be breaks In
the regularity Of His visits, at which
breaks, the family, while not wishing
Mary disappointment, would inwardly
take hope that nothing serious was
meant by His attentions. During
these lapses Of devotion, Mary would
be unusually silent and little uncer-
tain in temper, this state Of mind con-
tinuing until He began coming again
In the evenings, which were known in
the household as "the nights for
Mary's BEAU"
After while these Interruptions
ceased and Mary's young man was
ever constant. His visits continued for
some time without apparent develop
h11f OF loo
standing having evidently been reach
cd, Mary officially announced her en-
9agement.
Her marriage was something In the
remote future, she insisted. She
should not marry until they had
house Of their own to go into; one that
should be built after their own plans,
and paid for out Of their own savings.
The choice Of Mary's heart apparently
conceded with her views, and proved
himself patient lover.
The family, after recovering from
the disturbing news of Mary's some
time departure, found consolation in
the thought that it was a long way
OF; she was still in the house and
something might happen to keep her
there indefinitely.
Mary, always frugal and saving, had
a bank account. After her engage
ment 1t was no longer to her merely
money. Instead it represented carpets
and curtains and various other house
furnishings.
I'VE shall get nothing but what We
have the cash to pay for, Mary often
said, and the family enthusiastically
Rpplauded her wishes. Practical sense
like that meant the prolonged stay of
Mary, since the home she stipulated
for must be built from the ground up.
The lmpetuous side Of loves young
dream did not appeal to Mary. Doubt
less she loved the man she was to
marry, and doubtless she had told
him so, but she never gave a hint of
1t to others. He continued filling his
engagements with her on his "regu-
tar nights" and occasionally they
went out somewhere together though
their pleasure excursions were few
and far between, as they took money
which might better be laid away for
the home building.
Lulled into fancied security by the
uninterrupted order of things, the FAM
lily forgot to take heed Of times swift
passing, and, while it was to be ex-
pected, 1t was none the less a shock
when Mary, with an unusually happy
smile Frightening her face, announced,
they're begun on the foundation"
Mary was really to be married. Ac-
tual preparations were under way and
tangible proof was afforded by the
hole In the ground, forming the be-
ginning Of Mary's future home. OF
course there were delays to be count
ed on, and the whims and vagaries Of
carpenters and plumbers, but the in
evitable was in sight and so far Mary
had not once spoken Of the ceremonies
she might wish to attend her we'd
ding.
I'm not going to get any new
clothes except dress to be married
in. I'll have silk Of some kind, and
THAT will last me for best for q long