The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-07-02


love for him. but as time passed ana
ho came not, when Christmas had come
and gone and the New Year with all
It's joys. hoics and sad memories ush-
cred IN ana still he came not. she began
t" think he had forgotten her
Susie Hopkins was u frequent visitor
ana protested warm friendship Tor the
lonely siil. but somehow Mandy. who
was SO tue herself. detected the false
ring in Susan's voice. and could not help
distressing one who made SO many pro-
LESSONS, yet Was always saying some
thing To hurt her feelings. Moreover.
she knew that Aunt Maria distilled
Susie. ana perhaps that had something
10 do with her diStyusi. for She greatly
valued her Judgment.
OF lat" Susie had talked n good deal
about the pr!zc offered to any couple
Who would bc married at the Fourth Of
July picnic. for by this time the sum
MGR had come ana Mandy's vinc-cov-
cred cottage presented 4 lovely picture
Of rura! HON" c.ubpw,rcd IN stately
trees ana towering shrubs.
Did YOU hear about tho price" ask
cd Susie one day late in June.
Yes. Aunt Maria mentioned it," said
Mandy. Il didn't pay much attention
to it,"
visitor, blushing ana simpcring. but
l-lJc and me. we thought il would be a
line way To- Dc married standing there
under the star Spunglcd Banner Tho
folks would always remember 1t. and
then there would be that beautiful set
of furniture for our parlor. green plush
WIN carved backs. worth hundred
dollars"
Mandy's heart sank; but she smiled
bravcly and asked: Are YOU and Liz,
going to be married on the Fourth OF
July"
Susie hcsita,cd. Wei, don't say 1t
E.,, t..tH I'D.
IL Il great secret. sort Of spring it as a
surprise YOU know. hrsidcs | may change
my mind Lille says I'm so tickle, hes
awful jealous. We'll. good bye. / mus,
be going. I'm so glad YOU don't seem To-
care. All the nciehbors thought you
wanted Lie"
Before the girl could put in an indig-
nant protest Susie was gone. Mandy
looked after her ANA then across the
river To- the Perkins homestead. As old
iieZckiah had said: the farms joined"
and together formed fine estate of
over six hundred acres. Mandy had
often dreamed of the time when she
would live in the old Perkins home. Il
substantial stone mansion with Corinth-
IAN pillars and il wcll-kcpt lawn over
which ilickcrcd the shadow of stately
cms: but now She must put that dream
away. and too proud To wear her hear;
on her sleeve. she pinned secretly and
grew So thin and pale that Aunt Maria,
who usually dropped in every day. grew
alarmed ana began To look about for n
reason. The day before the Fourth of
July she trudgcd over to the farm with
Il palful of her delicious crullcrS. Nam
dy saw her coming and FASTENED to the
gate to meet her.
Aunt Maria seated herself in rock
Ing chair on the niaza and after they
had talked awhile. said with quick.
sharp glance: Seen Lie Perkins late
iy?"
No Auntv h" has not been here
since mother died. I think he has Tor
gotten me. ana it is but natural; YOU
know he is going to marry Susie Hop
kins"
No such thing" snapped Aunt Maria,
some ones hin a stnilin' you chuck full
hs Chrisim"s turkey. and I'll bet ]
can put my finger on the arrcr-cycd
crittcr that told that lie" Then she
FASTENED home resolved to have it out