The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1907-03-16

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The farsighted Betsey gave Zed full
month In which to think over his pros
poets concerning the meadow lands
Then she forced him to a decision.
THAT man Skinner was here yester
day" she remarked casually Ito see
| about buyin' the medder lots. toc
him I'd let him know in ten days what
| would be done with them metlders.
! told him | was thinkin' Of givin' 'en
TO my son, but II he didn't want EN-
significantly, I'D sell 'em to him."
Zcd's upper lip twitched. and he took
firmer hold Of the nape Of his neck
but he made no reply until nine ant
one-half days later Then he stopped
swill pail in hand, and asked gruily
ma. when you goin' to begin that there
| house on the meddersT
Just as soon as the frost Is out o
| the ground" replied Betsey swiftly
"fer it's got TO be used by the last OF
September"
She had won. She FASTENED to tel
Eliza. The latter was pleased, but she
looked actually pale.
"Ain't my plan with Atulky work
in'f' asked Betsey anxiously.
Mrs. Willet groaned. "Workin'" she
calculated. Its workin' me to death
Why, that girl keeps me all Of a-trem
Bile. | don't know where we're comm
out. Last Monday she says, says she
Ma, If | marry Zed I'll have Aunt
Atulky cit me black silk coat, lined
with white satin Listen to that, Bet
sey Agnew, And l give in. Tuesday
she come in and says: Ma, If I marry
Zed you've got to git me bow Of
furs. won't have him without EN-.
Just hear that, Belts. And l give IN.
And yesterday she says: "Ma, I'm goin'
to have one OF them long lace fishers.
Aunt Atulky says they're all the rage.
And, Belts, | give in. Now, where am
goin' to stop gIvin' in?' Mrs. Willer
applied her handkerchief to her eyes
and wept.
"Yes. yes, Elizy, know it's hard, y
responded Betsey, with the light OF
victory In her eyes, but it's worth all
that to have our own way where peo-
ple think we can't. Now | must hurry
along and hire the carpenters. By the
way" with her hand on the doorknoh
I'm goin 10 send Zed over Sunday
night to set up with Atulk."
Eliza groaned afresh. "Of course its
got to be done, but it'll mean another
silk dress out of me, as likely as not
before she'll set up"
Zed "set up Sunday night with his
prospective BRIDE that Is, he sat In one
corner of the large parlor and blinked
at the lamp He held himself down by
means Of his toes hooked around the
hind legs Of the straight backed chair
on which he sat Mrs. Willet. with a
face full of anxiety, had received him
and Immediately retired and closed the
door behind her. A commotlon began
at once upstairs and down. Zed grin
ned appreciatively until the door flew
open and Atulka projected herself into
the room and. without SO much as
casting her scornful eyes on Zed,
founced into a chair in the farther
corner, pressed her nose against the
window pane, stared fxedly out into
the darkness and chewed gum.
Zed sat patiently until the hands Of
the clock designated the hour specified
by Betsey and then took his silent de-
parture. He nearly fell over Mrs. vii
let, whose ear had been applied to the
keyhole in order that she might report
progress to Mrs Agnew the following
day.
There was no word for her 10 report,
nor was there until September, until
the house was finished and the wedding
day set, until Zed's upper lip had been
permanently twisted sidewise in dis,
gust and Atulka had secured such u
trousseau as no one In the c0unty had
ever had before. Then Mrs. Willet had
! a report to make one Monday morning.
It was not much, but 1t excited and de
lighted both mothers.
They talkedw Mrs. Willet OK
claimed.
Now the Lord be praised" cried Bet
sey, pously sinking into a rocking
chair. "Whatd they say"
Mrs. Willet shook her head. Il
couldn't make out II word. they talked
50 low."
II should like ~ know" said Betsey
regrntfullY, 'seein'It's only two weeks
to the weddn'.'
MY. amt I glad it's only two weeks
more nlurmured Eliza pathetically.
"Thc clothes tIat Atulky Lag got out Of
me! They maize folks open their eyes,
| though. / tell you," Eliza found 4
crumb Of comfort there. "But just
feel as If | was comm on to the town. "
well" returned Betsey calmly, Il
guess that deed | got recorded last
week up to Auburn will take a trlhe
more out Of me Than Atulk's clothes
have out Of you, ana the new house.
You amt the only loser"
II know it, Belts" fretfully, "but III
be all fired glad when it's over"
II can't help wonderin'," was Bet
sey's ambiguous response. what they
said"
Unexpectedly Zed enlightened hel
that very afternoon. Zed had been
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