Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-04-22

|
dimy.
well" said he. surprised. But guess
he's a real nice young Teller. amt he.
| Jack?'
He is, indeed" said selkirk.
| Then reckon I won't NEEDLE in no more
! love affairs, said Cooper.
But he called to them. and the remainder
of the lantern business was transacted
| quickly.
| When she entered Bess was blushing and
did not stay long In the sitting room. Bar
| nard called goodnight without coming In
| the house at all, but after he had gone half
way to the gate he came back to the door,
and, with a fine look of determination on
his face, asked Mr. Cooper IL he might
! speak to him moment.
1T don't seem If they was old enough
said Cooper, after he had returned and
Barnard had gone away, walking as If his
heart and heels alike were light but there
was no note of great displeasure in his
voice. STILL he added, they're every bit
as old as some are
There more talk. Subdued gaiety
marked the demeanor of the elected can
didate; quiet happiness Shone on Mercys
face through infrequent tears and Selkirk
with a new world before him, having
fought and won, was smiling. Only the lit
tie dressmaker seemed distraught. Reac-
ton had come to her after great excitement,
She had battled in many ways for the folk
she loved, and had not been defeated; but
now 1t took some bravery to smile. AS she
looked first at one and then at another of
| the group she felt alone and ont in the cold
Jack and Mercy-they were happy. 1t was
plain enough that Bess feet had begun to
tread the rose-strewn way Cooper's cleo
ton now was sure, and the great ambition
of his heart was, therefore realized. Even
Billy bruised and battered, had found
father in the riot of events, while Mrs.
Sticker had regained her husband. They
had all discussed this situation and decided
that it was not at all impossible that Hub
bard might live up to the fair promises he
had made that night to Cooper and Selkirk,
ri cd lT1jl liCyht a la
be happy Betsey told herself that there
nothing in the world left TO be desired,
and yet if she would have let them come,
the tears would have been sparkling on her
lashes as she said It,
II guess said Cooper. that It's a good
old world in spite of all we do to make it
run off crooked and rattle at the axles."
She thought of bright and happy
answer that she might make to this. but
she could not trust her voice to say it.
Her world was breaking up with the
changes which these folk she loved would
make they entered on the domains of
their hearts desires.
Cooper looked at her.
We'll all sleep late" said he.
She nodded
I'D ought to get some fodder down for
the critters in the barns he said.
Wont you come along and hold the Ian
tern, Betsey?"
AS Jack and Mercy stood there In the
doorway looking at the paling east they
could still hear the murmur of crowd
about the store and tavern. Having be-
gun the night. there evidently many in
Toms River who proposed to see it wholly
finished. There We're shouts and there were
blasts upon tin horns. softened by the
distance. Toms River folk had never been
so persistent in a celebration.
Your fathers election has pleased them
as nothing has In years" said Selkirk.
Mercy nestled in the EMBEDDING arm and
smiled up at him happily.
Still the murmur in the distance muttered
1t seemed almost like the growing growing
of mob.
Mercy thought about the odd folk who had
gone out to the barn. She smiled little
although there were still infrequent sobs to
make her catch her breath. She was very
happy,
without Aunt Betsey" she said happily Il
think that's why he asked her to help him
feed the stock"
A moment later they could hear them re-
turning through the woodshed There was
the sound of small scuffie and they heard
behind them:
"shucks-and go-shell- Now. you, Ca
leb Cooper, amt you jest ashamed"
They turned about to see them enter and
Mercy cried out in sheer establishment. The
little dressmaker was being borne along in
the bend of Cooper's arm-struggling but
plainly very happy.
II got to thnkin' of It," Cooper calmly
said, and 1 reckoned that II l am goin' to
be congressman this here Betsey Bobbin
here got to go along and be a congress
woman"
And he kissed her on the lips. This
time he had won the foot race
can that be sunrise already?" said
Mercy, a few moments later as she looked
out toward the east
BY George said Selkirk. It's a frev'
And then they noticed that there was an
angry sound about that growing growing
of the mob
It's Jake Musser's place." said Betsey
Bobbin.
Well said Cooper, II do hope the boys
won't make that tar too hotr'
1T couldn't bei' said Mercy with a vim
dlctVe expression on her face that Selkirk
had never dreamed 1t capable Of
CThe End)