The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1910-12-01

orIb IN which Billy. the silent Sieuth
fQknd Pete Pemero, the head of the
tBin-Erecking band.
HIt was Just a little nook I'm the
f&nd or the crack, with a fallen 10y
&r q seat. and with his own sister.
Lucy, sitting there apparently wait
Eng Tor the arrival of the desperate.
II was rather disconcerting To find
one's own family mixed up In such az
fairs, but duty is duty and Sammy
wriggled as close as he dared and
listened to the low murmur of con-
\ versation.
1t all seemed absurdly simple. He
vas kissing Lucy many times and be-
tween caresses they were discussing
how best to approach her father ON
jthe matter of their marriage.
judged by the stern, unyielding stan
dards OF Josiah Temple, Ryder was
far too gay a young blade to be trust
ed with Lucy who was destined to
marry a minister when her father
could find a minister of whom he
could fully approve.
Lucy feared to let Ryder speak t.
her father, lest she be forbidden to see
or speak to him. Ryder, on the other
hand, was urging her to consent tc a
test of fate.
lSSA ike a SCOuuOGel meeting You
In the woods this way" he urged "If
your father refuses . give his con-
sem, then We will slOpe
81 couldnt do that" she cried ut
would break fathers heart"
"Better his heart than yours" sns-
gested Ryder selfishly
Ryder selfishly.
Then came more caresses and plead
ing and Sammy, tired of such talk,
wriggled softly through the brush, and
headed for home.
He had been wasting all his time
on pair Of silly lovers, when he
might have been better occupied with
his booksl
AS he turned into the yard, his ia
Their called to him from the portch:
did you read your chapter of Jo-
Sephus." he demanded.
Sammy's face grew long with dis
may. Josephus was dull reading for
ten-year-old, but it was a duty, like
watering the stock and feeding the
chickens. In his eagerness to trail
Ryder he had forgotten all about it.
What were you doing?" continued
the old man.
81 was down by the creek" explain
ed Sammy uncomfortably.
And what were you doing down
there?" came the prompt question.
81 wanted to see what Dave Ryder
was doing down to the creek" he ex-
planned
And what was he doing?" asked
the elder.
"Kissin' Lucy" was the startling ie-
Spouse, and the old man sprang from
his chair in sudden anger.
Bit by bit he forced the frightened
l., all Ill i - a
the conversation.
that Dave wished TO marry Lucy, but
his lips frightened angrily 10 Sammy
explained that they both feared 20
breach the subject to him.
Sammy was startled, when the lit
| QUESTION was concluded, at being re-
| leased with only a mild reproof for
! not having read his Josephus He
scampered around the corner OF tGe
house in a spirit of thanksgiving at
getting of so lightly.
1t was Mrs. Temples favorite OBJ
! servation, that you couldn't count on
| Josiah's moves no more'n you could
on a hens" and now this contrari-
ness was working in Lucy's favor.
Had Ryder boldly demanded Lucy's
hand in marriage, the refusal would
| nave Oeen prompt ana emphatic.
1t was because Ryder anticipated a
refusal that Josiah called to him as
the young man was plodding along
the road, having made his appearance
through a bit OF woodland half a mile
beyond the place of the tryst.
Ryder turned in at the Temple gate,
wondering If perhaps after all Lucy
had spoken in spite of their decision
to let matters rest awhile. He stood
at the foot OF the steps and dotted
his hat in respect to the others age.
when / was a lad" said Josiah
with a twinkle in his eyes, at was
proper to call on a young lady at her
folks, an not go sneakin' of into the
woods. You en- come over tonight if
you want to. I'll tell her to expect
ye."
Josiah watched Dave leave the yord
after an unintelligible tumble of apol-
ogy, thanks and explanation.
II fooled vel" he cried exultingly
after the retreating figure.
And he laughed as though the joke
was on Ryder and Lucy.