Arizona republican., 1910-04-17
BY L. M. MONTGOMERY.

We could see the garden path and gate through the it'll warning oi the approach of Mir Norman Nichol- IL no wonder. therefore, that we positively jumped steps floor when thunderous knock crashed against the front door and reechoed through the house. Had NIT. Norman Nicholson dropped from the skies:
 We afterward discovered that he had come across lots and around the house from the back but just then his sudden advent almost uncanny
 Good afternoon, he said in resonant voice that seemed to take possession Of the dry summer after noon. Is Miss Olivia Sterling in? And will you please tell her that Norman Nicholson IS here:
 showed him into the parlor Then Peggy and l peeped through the crack of the door Anyone would have done it. We would have scorned to excuse ourselves And indeed what would have been worth several conscience spasms il we had felt
 Aunt Olivia rose and advanced prinily with out stretched hand
 Mir. Norman Nicholson. very glad to you, she said formally.
 gave strides. He dropped his flowers on the floor. knocked small table and sent man spinning up against the wall; Then he had caught Aunt Olivia in his and-smack-smack smack! Peggy sank back upon the stair-step with her handkerchief stuffed in her mouth. Aunt Olivia was being kissed!
 arms length in his big paws and looked her I Aunt Oivia's eyes his arm to the inverted table and the litter of asters and golden-rod Her sleek crimps all tousled up and her chu half round her neck. She looked distressed
 Its bit changed you are Mile" said Mir Nor man Nicholson, admiringly And it's good I'm feeling
 
 "Oh, of course, said Aunt Olivia.
 She twisted herself free and to right the table. Then she turned to the flowers, but MT. Norman Nicholson had already gathered them up leaving a goodly sprinkng of leaves and stalks the carpet.
 picked these for you in the river held, Mile, he said Where will be getting something to stick them
 He grasped frail painted from the mantei, stuffed the flowers in It and set the table The look on Aunt Olyas face was too much for at last turned caught Peggy by rhe shoulder and dragged her out of the house.
 He will horrify the very soul out of Aunt Olvias body ii he goes on' I gasped But he's splendid- and he thinks the world of her-and oh Peggy did you ever hear such kisses? Fancy Aunt Olvia!"
 It did not take us long to get well acquainted with MT Norman Nicholson. He almost haupted Aunt Ovias house, and Aunt Olivia insisted our staying with her most of the time She seemed to be very shy of finding herself alone with him He horrihed her dozen times in hour; nevertheless, she was very proud of him and liked to be teased about him, too she was delighted that we admired him.
 Though, to be sure, he Is very different in his looks big And do not like beard, but have not the courage to ask him shave it of He might be offend ed He has bought the Millman homestead in Tolliver County and wants to be married in month. But dear me- that too soon lit would hardly be prop CT"
 MT Norman Nicholson could never be trained to old maidishness, and Aunt Olivia seemed to realize this. He never stopped to clean his boots when he came in although she had ostentatousy scraper put at each door for his benefit He seldom moved in the house without knocking of Aunt Oivia's treasures He smoked cigars in her paror and scattered the ashes the floor. He brought her flowers every day and stuck them into whatever re- ceptace ha1dicst He sat on her cushions and rolled her antmacassars up into balls He put his feet on her char-rungs-snd all with the dstrscting He noticed Aunt Oliva's futtering al all. Peggy and laughed more than good for those days It funny to Aunt Olivia lowering a1xiousy around. picking rp hower-sems and smooth ing out tidies and generally following him about straighten cut things. Once she even got wing and duspan and swept up the cigar ashes under his very eyes
 Don't be worrying yourself over that Nillie" he protested "Why. don't miGd litter. bless ycv.'
 How good and jolly he was that NIT. Norman Nichol- son. Such songs he such stories he told such breezy unconventional atmosphere he brought into that prim little house where stagnant dulness had reigned for years He woJshiped Aunt Olivia and his worship took the form of presents galore He brought her present every other trp-generaly article of jewery. Bracelets rings chains drops, ockes bangles, showercd upon precise little aunt; she accepted them depreeatiney but them. This hurt him little, but she assured him that she would wear them all some time.
 I'm not used 10 iewery, Mir. Norman Nicholson" she would tell him ..,.
 Her engagement ring she did wear-it was rather loud combination of engraved gold and turquoises.> Sometimes caught her turning 1t her finger with very troubled face
 II would be sorry for Mr. Norman Nicholson if he not so much in love with her., said Peggy. But he thinks that she IS perfection, he doesn't need sympathy. .l
 T am sorry for Aunt Olivia" I said "Yes, Peggy, anu Mir. Nicholson is splendid man, but Aunt is II anything else. Don't you see how it's hurting her? His big splendid man-ways are narrowing her very soul upshe cant get out of her little marrow groove, and it is killing hec to be pulled out"
 Nonsense" said Peggy. Then she added with a laugh, Mary. did you see anything so funny as Aunt Olivia sitting MT, Norman NichoIscn's nee?"
 It scas funny. Aunt Olivia thought it very unbe- coming to sit there before us. but he made her do it. He would say with his big jolly laugh. Don't mind the little girls and pull her down his knee and hold her there IT. dying day shall never forget the ex- pression the poor little woman's face.
 But as tlle days by, and MT. Norman Nicholson began to insist date being set for the wedding Aunt Olivia grew to have strangely disturbed look One morning MT Norman Nicholson told us all that he corning up that evening to make Aunt Olivia set tine day Peggy and aughingiy approved saving that t time for him his authority and he went of in high good hunlor the river field whisng Highland strathspey. But Aunt Olivia looked a martyr She had fierce attack of house-cleanng that corners "A. if there were going to be funeral in the house." saiHsd Peggy