Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1907-01-10
CHAPTER II.

- Continued.
Mr.. Cleaver opened his eyes wide,
and then, with Il broad grin, gently
laid the forefinger of his right hand Oh
the right side of his purple nose.
"Polly," he shouted, "here's Mr.. Dex'
fer wants to know how you are"
"Oh, I'm all right" said Polly, max
ing her appearance at the door, and
looking down upon the two men.
"And how do yer find yourself, Mr.
Dexter?"
In his confusion Thomas Dexter re-
piled:
"Tm as we'll as can be expected,
Polly"
An answer which sent her into fits Of
laughter.
Now this laughter was sweet music
in Thomas Dexters ears, and Polly
Cleaver vision of loveliness in his
eyes.
Her hair was hanging loose, her
boots were down at heel, and she was
in general state of untidiness, but
Venus herself in neglgee could not
have more completely enthralled him.
Polly continued to laugh, holding her
sides, and presently tottered down a
step or two. and cried:
"Ketch me, Mr.. Dexter, or l shall
fall"
He nothing loath, caught her to his
heart, which went a thousand a min
ute.
Polly had not laid in his arms as
long as she could count three before
she knew what was the matter with
him. These inspirations of knowledge
ure woman's peculiar gift.
81 thought" she simpered, looking up
into Thomas DeXter's face, without at
tempting to release herself from his
embrace, chat yer might be going 10
ask me to 90 to church with yer"
THAT'S just what / should like to ask
yer. Polly" said Thomas Dexter.
"Nell, them" exclaimed Mr.. Cleaver,
while Polly laughed immOderately,
"arsk her, and we'll get the wedding
dress made--if you give us the money
for it,"
Something like matchmaking, this.
Striking the nail on the head; no shilly.
shallying.
Sudden as it was, it accorded with
Thomas DeXter's humor
II don't mind doing that" he re.
sponded, holding Polly tight. what
do you say, Polly:"
what do you say, Mr.. Dexter"
asked Polly, fencing.
She was inclined to look upon the
whole affair as Il joke, though the pros
pect of the present of the wedding
dress had caught her fancy.
81 say, will yer have me, Polly"
Il don't mind" answered Polly, gaz.
ing i'll wonder ut her ardent lover, add
ing quickly, IF you're not joking with
me-"
He'd better not" said Mr.. Cleaver,
splitting in the palm of his right hand
and rubbing that and the palm Of his
left together-an action which every
Briton understands. "If he makes q
fool of my Polly III have it out of
him.
You shut up, father" exclaimed
Polly. 'I'm old enough to take care
of myself"
"Whatw cried Thomas Dexter, point
ing to Polly, who had released herself
and was now standing little apart
from him. Make fool of a gal like
that! What do you take me for?"
"Wait a Bit" said Polly; "Pm con-
sidering."
There was the new dress; there was
the excitement of wedding; there was
the novelty of getting married.
Although she had had any number of
lovers, not one had ever asked her to
marry him.
"Do you mean," inquired she, plant
ing her two fists in her sides, without
any CANNON, that yer want ter marry
me-"
That's the way to put it," said Mr.
Cleaver, with approving mods.
Its exactly what l do mean," saiC
Thomas Dexter, in an imploring tone
as though scarcely daring to hope that
such bliss could fall to his share. "Ii
you say yes l shall be the happiest
man in Glare Market"
"I'd like to see the man asd dispute
It," said Mr.. Cleaver. "Whoever gets
my Polly gets treasure"
you needn't shove your spoke in
fofh n al hntti
me: he wasn't born yesterday"
"Thats true, Polly" said Thomas
Dexter, somewhat ruefully. ''Fm 9
good bit older than YOU
ooh, that don't make no difference
said Polly, scratching her head. "YeI
won't cry off, will yer? You'll give mt
q dress"
"I'l give yer two," said Thomas Dex
ter, eagerly.
''Ill take 'em; amt proud. And as
you're serious as all that about it III
hcvc yer. Give us kiss"
He gave her dozen, and while this
was going on Mr.. Cleaver sat on the
stairs and shed tears, which he con
sidered to be the regulation duty of g
father, especially of the father of such
girl as Polly.
"There, that's enough" said Polly
pushing Thomas Dexter away. "You're
rumpled me all over. You'd best make
yourself scarce, you and father, while
tidy myself a bit"
"Son-in-law," said Mr.. Cleaver, dab
bing his eyes with col0red handker.