Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1905-09-08
THE MARRYING. .......
OF. HENRIETTA,


Mrs. Vernon was rubbing her glasses
vigorously and looked very stern. Al
bert, the broad-shouldered giant with
the big boots and big hands, looked Is
II he were trying to find a convenient
mousehole to escape into.
Now. the hour Of the afternoon coffee,
the best hour of all the day, had been
spoiled for him. To his mind there
was no better or pleasanter spot in all
the world than the old-fashioned round
coffee table in front of the horsehair
covered sofa in his mothers room. 1t
was all ugly and out of fashion, accord
ing to the taste of the day, and he could
never explain to anyone why he pre-
ferred this old-fashioned room to the
most elegant salon in the whole neigh
borhood.
But mother" the giant began.
There is no but,' the old lady inter-
rupted him quickly. "You know Bertha
sent the girl to us that she might get
over her foolish infatuation for her
music teacher. And that was the wisest
thing she ever did. Henrietta, who was
pale and miserable when she came to
US, now looks picture Of health with
her rosy cheeks and smiling eyes, and
with pleasure 1have noticed the interest
she takes in the affairs of the estate.
She will make splendid housewife, and
the proposal of Dr.. Drummer is god
send. Henrietta is very poor Bertha
will hardly be able to give her de-
cent trousseau. and it would be great
wrong ii we did not do all we can to
make her accept him. DR.. Drummer is
a fine man, and although he is 50, he IS
by no means too old for her, I.
Mother" Albert exclaimed, radiant
with JOY. Il have an idea. If Henrietta
does not love Dr.. Drummer, she might
stay with us forever
'Oh. you silly boy.' Mrs. Vernon re-
piled, reproachfully, how could that be
done: am old and may die any day,
and then she could not possibly stay
with you. even admitting that you are
not at all dangerous"
Albert looked exceedingly unhappy,
and the piece OF coffee-cake he had just
bitten off nearly got stuck in his throat
at the thought that his mother might
die, and that Henrietta could not stay
with him.
Il have noticed that she lays great
weight on what you say" the ole lady
continued, $50 now please speak to her
that we may soon give Dr. Drummer an
answer"
well, shall see what l can do,
mother" Then he walked slowly out of
the room.
He found Henrietta in the sheepfold
She was perched on a beam, her feet
hanging down, and was munching sand
Wich. Albert looked greatly relieved.
He had expected to find her excited or
crying. He thought he had never seen
under her fur cap. He went up to
her.
Miss Henrietta, he began, II suppose
you have not thought of marrying"
If you could only forget him - the
music teacher" Here he stopped and
did not know what to say. Greatly to his
relief she broke out laughing
"Oh, he is nothing to me. l know too
well that he was a humbug with his long
locks and continuous posing"
you are sensible girl; you will be
very happy with good, loving, honest
man. don't you think?"
Henrietta looked at him with queer
expression in her pretty face, and he felt
all the blood rushing to his cheeks.
From that day a change had come over
the two young persons. In the eyes Of
the girl was a strange expression of
great happiness, while Albert seemed to
be greatly depressed. His mother no.
ticed both with quiet smile. but when
ever she asked Albert if he thought Hen
rietta would come around he evaded
giving an answer.
And then the spring came. The snow
was gone and the green lawn around the
old mansion was like soft carpet. The
apple trees were in full blossom and
everything told of the awakening of ma
ture to new life under the kisses of the
sun.
Il think we will ask DR.. Drummer to
come here to dinner on Sunday; it is time
he had his answer Mrs. Vernon said to
her son one day.
Il do not see why you are in such a
hurry, mother. Give her little time to
think it over" Albert replied, rather
vexed, and hurriedly left the room.
Behind the hawthorn, between the
garden and the green grain fields, he
found Henrietta.
Have you thought it over, Henri
etta?' he said. with great effort
Henrietta trembled and turned pale.
She nodded and looked down on the
flowers in her hand. He felt his heart
grow heavy. He took her hand and tried
to say something. but the lump in his
throat made it impossible to say another
word Henrietta sighed and burst out
crying.
That was more than he could stand.
Henrietta, dear little Henrietta, don't
cry" he stammered, and without know
ing it. he took her in his arms and two
soft arms were around his neck as he
kissed her lips again and again. He
suddenly understood that he had been
unhappy all these weeks for nothing. and