The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1907-12-28
sARAH's YOUNG MAN.

Sarah Blake was neither very young
nor very beautiful, but her father own
ed the best and biggest farm in Hor-
ley, and being an only child, she was
accounted an eligible match in thrifty
circles.
Dick Sanders and Ted Brant were
rival suitors for her hand. She had
but to say the word which of them
she'd have but it was just that which
made her hesitate-there was so little
choice between them.
Such delays are always dangerous.
While Sarah wavered, uncertain
which to hold and which to let so,
her captives, both at once, slipped the
leash.
They might have pleaded that they
had done no worse than others. For
when Jenny Aliens father came with
his handsome daughter to dwell in
Horley, there was a general focking
of the swains about the shrine of the
new idol, and Ted and Dick only fol-
lowed the rest.
But Sarah Blake was not woman
to view a lovers detection lightly.
Nor did it weaken her resentment to
divide it between the two. She had
quite sufficient for both and it being
uncertain which of them she would
have chosen, in melting out her anger
she gave each the disadvantage of the
doubt.
Jenny Allen was civil and polite to
all without showing any particular
preference to any. Dick Sanders and
Ted Brant were foremost among her
admirers. Indeed, the others stood
a good deal in awe of them and hung
back, for they were pair of rather
churlish, brawny chaps, little inclined
to brook competition, and whose i'll
will few cared to court. Between
themselves the question of which
should yield was fast reaching point
where its settlement by wager of bat
tie" seemed inevitable, when things
took turn which put new face oh
affairs.
Will Harvey came from the city to
spend his vacation at his aunt's in
Horley. One day while sauntering,
rod in hand, along the charming lit
tie river that wound through the val
ley, Will unexpectedly came on some
thing that drove all thought of fish
ing completely out of his head.
On a mossy bank, shaded by over
hanging boughs, sat young girl
deep in the pages of book. Her
profile, which was towards him, pre-
sented an almost perfect contour. The
shower of glossy ringlets which fell
upon her beautiful neck and shoulders
stole new tinge from every shifting
glimmer of light sifted through the
undulating leaves. Her cheeks would
pale and flush and her eyes flash and
melt by turns with the varied emo
tions called up by what she read.
Will would have gladly remained
a silent spectator of sight so lovely,
but he felt that he had no right to
do so.
Advancing in a manner to attract
the girls attention, he raised his hat
and asked some commonplace ques-
tions about certain localities in the
neighborhood. These answered in a
voice so musical that it made his heart
Autter, he found more things to ask
about, till by degrees a conversation
sprung up which lasted till the young
lady, suddenly remembering how long
it had continued, with blush caught
up her gypsy hat, bade him pleas
ant good day and tripped lightly
away.
Thus began the acquaintance of
Will Harvey and Jenny Allen. But
it did not end there. For if Will
Harvey's first stolen glimpse of Jenny
settled her title, in his eyes, to be
called the 1oveliest creature in the
world, it is quite as certain that her
first impressions of the handsome
stranger were hardly less exalted.
A formal introduction soon follow
ed, and in a short time Will and Jenny
were SO constantly together that the
rural gossips began to talk of their
engagement as thing quite settled.
This was wormwood to Dick San
ders and Ted Brant. They began to
look askance at Will Harvey, and
were only restrained from picking an
open quarrel with him by rejecting
that he was a trim built, wirv fellow,
who mightn't be so easy to handle,
to say nothing of the pluckY look
there was in his keen, dark eyes.
One day as Dick was strolling down
the lane, sulking as usual over his
bad fortune, he met Sarah Blake.
He felt confused and awkward. He
knew Sarah had a valorous tongue,
and he had no ground to expect any
mercy. To his surprise, however,
she met his clumsy greeting gra-
ciously, and for the time seemed dis
posed 10 forget past grievances.
I've news" she said, news you'd
give good deal to know"
"What is it, Sally?" he asked
coaxingly.
"Oh, never mind"
Come, Sally, for old acquaintance
sake"
Was it smile or scowl she gave
him then Dick wasn't sure and was
beginning to tremble again when
Sarah resumed her gracious mien:
"Well, seeing it's you,' she said,
'I don't mind telling. Jenny Allen