The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1911-10-12

| W. VI Iue OesJ chances in 1t are jus
plum on their heads on account O.
you. No, won't tell you who-but 4
you ask my advice 1 might say which
ana let you guess the other"
You always would tease. Julis
Prant, Mrs. McBee simpered. ''Now
l don know one bit what you're driv.
ing ac-Du tgo ahead and pick out 2
SOU husband for me-seeing YOU
/ ing" '-0 ian
Asa Gray is as cranky as q hams
morn. most ways-but his wife was ,
queen to him-what wouldn't CO..
ond wife be-" Mrs. Brant demanded
Nobody needn't hang back over tbe
daughter, neither-Milly's going intc
a decline, if ever 1 saw anvbody 1hat
was-this morning. when l went there
she sat looking over her mothers lew
elry-7you know Mrs. Gray had dia.
monds and ruby ring, and the Gun
hlnsest watch, blue enamel all over
ana she said to me right pitiful: q
nope daddy will get some nice, pretty
Woian to wear all these. He must
nave somebody-when I'm gone"
The poor child" Mrs. McBee eiacu-
lated. How can her pa cross her and
she in such a staten
Men are cruel when they're zeal
Gus, Mrs. Brant pronounced oracu-
larry. Squire used to think MilIy
couldn't do wrong thing-but since
he fell in love-and you torment him
So" --'
Now, Julia, you're making out a
lot more than is true" Mrs. McBee
broke in. IF l thought you were tell
ing truth I'd never have another min
ened." '--e Il
Then go to work right or" Mrs.
Brant demanded.
How can II" he hostess asked.
Mrs. Brant turned scornful ewes on
her. You, a woman and a widow. ask
me that?' she said. When YOU know
better than anybody. all you've got
to do is to tell Asa Gray unless he
treats his daughter right, you'll saw
yes to Steve Murray"
never named him-you can't saw
| did" Mrs. McBee cried, flushing
In truth, Mrs. Brant had come 10
her at the psychological moment
Steve Murray had all but rejected the
McBee farm and its mistress only the
evening before. Both had been offered
tentatively, but in a way he could not
choose but understand. He had chen
brutal in seeming of misunderstood
lng-1udge. then, what balm Mrs. Nc
bee found in her friends assumption.
Mrs. Brant pursed her lips. Il reck-
on nobody needs to name him-not as
long as they've got eyes to see," she
said. It'll serve him out fine, you
taking the squire. Steve's made his
brags all along; he had Just to say
the word and any woman would marry
him"
He is a conceited thing" Mrs. Nc
Bee admitted. But l can't think
about my own concerns-Pm going
right straight off to see poor little
Milly. And If l get the chance, her
pail get one good talking to-I'm
going to tell him to let her marry
Jimmy Hinton right of and send them
out to California. where Millv can get
strong ~again. Patience knows, he's
got the money to do it-and if he
hasn't"
You have. And you can't nut II
to better use," Mrs. Brant said heart
lily. Maria, you talk like a mother and
a Christian love you better than
l ever did before"
drove away from the Gray place, her
face wreathed in smiles. MiIly had
chung to her, weeping tears OF ioy
as they parted, and the squire had
handed her into the buggy, with an air
of devotion wonderful to see.
you say / may come over tomor-
row morning?" he had asked Good
/ Well settle everything. And l can't
thank you enough for making me see
the right"
He was not so old, not yet so, fine
looking and of good presence, much
more personable than Steve Murray
at his best, she decided
And the Gray place was certainly
! home any woman might be proud Of
Sh could queen it there as she had
never done in her own small house
the late Silas NIcBee had held that
money was to be kept. not spent
To do her justice, her heart warmed
more at the memory of Milly's face
that at the thought of ali the material
gain such a marriage meant to her.
She was radiant-with a radiance
that went far to making her hand
some. Steve Murray realized it sud
denly-they met in the road a little
way Off his own gate.
"Howdy. Miss Maria, / guess I'll
come over tonight" he said off-hand-
eddy. Seems like l recollect some
thing you said when / was there last
that I didn't answr right"
Nov / wonder what it could
a-been!" Mrs. McBee said refectively.
20! l remember now-it was about
the Blue Games. You forgot to tell
me whether or not you wanted them
II you do want them you're just in