Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-02-11
CHAPTER VI.

Cooper to ask him for his daughters hand
in marriage. He had known the old man
very closely for long time, and their po-
litical work had made their relations espe-
ctally intimate of late, but the magnitude
of the boon which he was about to ask
made MIN hesitate. Also he could have
done much better if the two women had
gone out, but their curiosity was too much
for that, or their interest in the momentous
occasion too great for it. Selkirk saw at
a glance that they had no intention of leav
ing him alone with Caleb Cooper.
Drawing q long breath, ne assured him
self that lie was very very happy and that
he had every reason in the world to feel So
but ne suffered mind and soul sensations
which he had not, hitherto, associated with
excessive JOY, just the same. He wished
that he had met Cooper out of doors some
where where the thing could have been dis
cussed in male solitude of two. lie wished
that it were the custom for the maiden, not
the youth. TO plead with fathers in such
cases. RE wished that he himself possess
ed that different disposition which helps
some men to carry such affairs off easily
and well He wished almost everything
that could change the situation in any way.
except that Mercy did not love him.
knew in his soul that he teetered as he
walked and he hated men who teetered as
they walked. He knew that his face was
growing slowly deeper in its red, and felt
convinced that if much more blood rushed
toft it would burst and spatter everything
all up. He assured himself again that he
was very, very happy.
Good morning, MIR. Cooper" he said, at
length IL just came around"
lie stopped. His vocal machinery had
stuck at dead center as it were.
G es, said Cooper, heartily, and al
though somewhat surprised to see the cor
diaiity with which it extended after
Such brief absence, taking the young
mans hand in his with a friendly grip, you
come around before | went you know. I'm
right glad you had the time to wait for
me"
Jack shook his hand earnestly.
Betsey. who had stood with arms AKIN
DO looking on, stepped up to Cooper and
made some motions which she thought
would indicate to him that decency babe
nm leave the young folks to themselves
but Cooper did not understand He recoy-
cred his hand from Sekisk's grasp with a
sharp pull and looked at her, puzzled
nat 5 the matter with you folks?' he
hndIly demanded, observing that Mercy
also, seemed to be experimenting with a
new manner.
He looked them over. They wiggled-
every one of them.
CURED politely. You act either as if you
had sore feet or I'd caught you maxim of
my Christmas present.
Jack attempted a beginning
why, Mr.. Cooper, you sec" he started
in, and then repeated, vacantly, You see
why. you see. don't you?"
Cant really say l do said Cooper,
dryly.
Betsey nodded encouragingly at Jack. He
did not speak again Immediately, and she
sided over to him and whispered
DO you want l should go out and ham
mer in the kitchen to git your courage up?
II helped you with her, you known
He shook his head, but did not speak
Cooper again looked them over, one by
one. annoyed by the awkward Stiffness and
whtstled softly as he waited. Finally Jack |
turned TO Mercy as she began to laugh |
Historically and reached for her wrist |
which she reluctantly gave up to him He |
grasped 1t as falling man VIII grab a rope |
He drew her to his side and whispered to |
her while the old mans amazement grew
If you go away from me-" he murmured |
IN tell him-I'n tell him that the weather's |
hne-and then go to-Philadelphia What |
am ! going to say to him.?
Mercy was more than a little nervous her |
self, but she grinned at his discontinue
Tell him. she said, tell him-why, you |
know what to tell him"
do you-think he's likely TO be angry?" |
Jack inquired in a hoarse whisper.
There was a mischievOus parody of hope |
fulness in her face as she tormented him |
with faint encouragement
Perhaps he won't be-" she remarked |
Sometimes he isn't /" I
DO you mean to tell me that-that any |
one else Jack began.
But you had better break it to him gem
tly,' Mercy cautioned him. with some signs |
of devilment in her eyes which he was too |
occupied to notice. He might be, you
know"
How do you mean?" asked Jack.
''Oh, lead up TO it, you know" said Mer-
cy. Don't burst out with it suddenly, so
as to take him too much by surprise Be |
diplomatic Don't be too abrupt, but do be
quick. Jack"
selkirll looked at her with pain showing
In his eyes.
''Yes." said he That is especially lucid"
In the meantime Cooper, throwing his
justification from him with a shrug of
his big shoulders, spoke up cheerily.
Say, Jack said he, well have to git
right to work with this campaign"
Jack nodded. He realized 1t, but was
busy with a different campaign just then.
There amt no time to lose now" contin-
ned Mr.. Cooper. That was why 1 was so
to git right down TO work. Not sudden
so's,t scare EN- off, you know, but firm and
gradual"
Mercy whispered in Jacks ear
"Now's your time" she murmured |
Speak to him, but do be careful"
Jack sided toward the window in a des-
perate mood. Betsey was standing there,
and she took this opportunity to caution
him
Don't you forgit me, Jackr' she said.
You know your promise!'
Once more Cooper sent puzzled glance
around the group. II was received silently, |
md he finally crossed over and put his
hand on Selkrks shoulder.
LAS / was sayin'," he remarked. his mind |
fixed firmly upon politics I'VE can't GIT |
down to work too quick hut l guess jest
now you'll have TO do the most of f. There |
amt no time to lose II I'm TO git that nomi-
nation. OF course we don't want to go at |
L as If We heavin rocks into a MILL
pond; want TO kind of Creep up
ike. as II we was a-comin on wild duck
flock unbeknOwnst. But we want to start
lur creepn' right away"
Selkirk rumpled his hair and as Cooper
vent over to the mantel shelf. Mercy whis-
)ered TO him:
SLOW, Jack, but quick, you know-thats.
he way
And as she drew away Betsey took her
Turn In adding to his torture.
Not too sudden, Jack, but don't waste !
any time. she said
You want 10 bring 1t on 'em kind of |
Easy like" said Cooper, from the distance,
as he wiped his big-bowed spectacles but |
you want to bring it on 'em right smart
soon"
Yes, Yes, indeed said Selkirk con-
fdently TO himself, and smothering in his |
sea Of trouble Two love affairs and one |
political campaign to manage, and I must |
be instantaneous, but not too sudden with
hem alli'
I. l. |