Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1906-10-05

she'd grow up so prim and high headed
and hateful no man In his senses d
ever want to marry her, and, land
knows, women that don't marry have 0
hard time" Grandma Cole said to heI
sons meek widow.
Mrs. Cole answered little tremu
lously. But, mother, they do want t.
harry her. Jessy might "a had foul
proposals. last year, IL only she'd a
zone and let the men speak out"
"And who were the men, I'd like t.
knowT Grandma pulled, her throat
Swelling visibly. "Widderwers witt
nine children, or else one foot In the
grave, or cranky old bachelors, or may
be even preachers. Besides, how car
you know even a preacher wants tc
marry you unless he ups and snys Sol
Il never did hold with this way q
maxim out every man that went to Q
house or even rode past 1t had notion
of goin there courtin'."
She paused In breathless triumph. II
Mrs. Lem Cole had been wise she
would have held her peace, Grandma
bore controverting very III indeed, and
to proxe her in the wrong was to risk
everything. Mrs. Lem knew that very
well, but a goaded woman is often q
desperate one. Therefore she burst
out. "Well Three Of the men-and
they weren't widowers nor preachers
but real good chancesAasked me to
ask Jessy If she'd listen to 'em. And
the other ONE
There wasn't any other one. Maria
don't believe one word you're
rayin'," Grandma broke out furiously
-Four proposals indeed! Why, Ann
Liza didn't have but three In the whole
Of last year and the beaus around bel
oil the time like bees around honey
pot
1.-THE other one was Jimmy Wakefield
And he wouldn't be stopped. Just W
and asked Jessy like a man." Mrs.. Len
said, not meekly, but with such red
spots In her cheeks she looked almost
as young as her daughter.
Get out Of here, youl" Grandma
painted. Jimmy Wakefield, indeed
Why he's never had a notion b any
body but Ann Liza. And she's goin' e
take him, too, when she gets good and
ready. Don't you dare talk Of him
wantin' that stick of Jessy. II
thought there was any truth. In what
you've said I'd send you straight out OF
the house."
Then we'll go without waiting t
be sent" Jessy burst out from thu
doorway. She had been standing Just
outside, feeling somehow that her dear
patient mother might need her help and
countenance. II don't like to tell, tc
say such things" she went on. but
nanny told tho truth, nothing but the
truth. And she shan't stay here to be
insulted. Unless you ask her pardon
we'll go away"
where? To the county poorhousei
l don't know any other chance for ye, >
Grandma said, white faced, her eyes
flashing.
She was an imperious old lady, nobly
partial to her namesake and favoritt
grandchild, Ann Eliza Wlcks, partly
because Ann Eliza was pretty and tax.
ing and impairment, partly also be
cause she had money enough OF her
own to be entirely Independent
Grandfather Cole had left everything
to his wife. She held on to 1t with q
grip Of Iron All her Ave children had
prospered except luckless Lemuel. lie
had left wife and daughter little except
his III luck II had followed them 30
throughout the three years since his
death they had at last been forced to
accept the shelter Grandma had 'grudg'
lngly offered.
Teach school You know won't
have that" grandma had said to Jes-
sys plan. mo, missy, I'll marry you
Off In year. Then you can take your
mother home with you. Remember
beggars mustn't be ch0osers. You
amt quite .beggar. You'll get some
thing when | die, of course. But l
amt going to see my husbands money
wasted as long as I can help 1t. even
II / had any to spare, which haven't
u
lust even half livin' nearly bankrupts
me. Ann Liza has to have things.
She's got delicate appetite. and 30
notionate. She can afford to be, be-
cause she can keep on havin' what she
wants when she comes to spendin' her
own money. You've got no money ia
spend, 30 you'd better learn economy
every way"
Jessy had been for going away then
but her mothers timorous fears had
prevailed on her to stay. Jessy was
not strictly pretty. Her eyes were toe
serious, her lips too severe. She had
a good chin, fine and clean cut, and o
lovely neck below 1t. Her hair was
faxen, her eyes a water blue.
Ann Eliza had black eyes and hail
and very high color. Grandma thought
her the prettiest creature In the world
She likewise thought Jesslca hardly
passable. But now as she faced her
grandchild she saw Jesslca new and
strange. one whose cheeks were dam
ask roses.
The change startled her. She turned
half about, saying In a grumbling
voice: Maria, you oughtn't, to pro
woke me 80. Go out In the garden
I'm comm pretty shortly. And you
Jessy. tell the boy to bring round the
buggy. want you and Ann Liza To
drive over to the store for me-"
"I'm sorry, but I can't CO." Jesgy
said, holding tight to her mothers
hand. II shall be busy-packing ny
and finding out bow we can best got
away"
"oh. shut upI Stop your foolish talkF'
grandma commanded fretfully.
Ann Eliza came in from the garden,
both her hands full Of dewy roses.
"Hsrel Take these and hx the parlor
vasss," she commanded Jessiea.
Jessica shook her head and turned
toward the door. Grandma had weak.
sned sensibly; she was on the point Of
mumblIng out an apology. But as
Ann Eliza cried psttishly, Il Wish
you'd look at that; told you what
would come Of setting beggdrs on
horaebackr' her anger famed up hot