Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1912-08-02
CHAPTER w.
Almost q Proposal.

Almost . Proposal.
~ ARLY Sunday morning the old
coach was got ready, for Miss
III Ellen sang in the church choir.
II and we had to make an early
start IN order that she might get there
on time. II reckon you are not a
said the colonel. "for, II
remember rightly, the Palmers were
always blueback Presbyterians. but
most people down here are Episcopa.
lians, so don't you 60 unless you feel
% inclined"
acknowledged to being a member
of the Presbyterian church. but ex-
pressed wilIingness-nay. even an
eagerness-to go. for knew that Miss
Ellen would not be at home. The
drive that morning was q memorable
one. Bud sat on the boz and did the
driving. with i'ickaninny Sam BY his
side. Colonel and Mrs. Turpin. Miss
Ellen and l occupied the seats on the
Of the harness had broken. would get
down and. taking bundle of Irvine
from his pocket, tie the ends together.
and soon We would start again. l
cared not how many times the traces
might snap or how long It took Us to
get to church while opposite to me sat
Miss Ellen. her eyes laughing into
mine every time the horses were
brought to q stop.
bud. the harness IL getting pretty
DID," said the colonel with grave dig
nifty when bud halted the coach for the
fifth time, think. and just within
sight of the old church.
ayes, father; It must be considerably
older than am" answered Bud cheer
fully as he used the last bit Of Irvine
he had, "but It will hold together an.
other six months. reckon" smiling
into the coach at Miss Ellen and me.
do sou think the coach will hold
together that long. Bud?' nervously
asked Mrs. Turpin. for her faith In the
vehicle was but little. Indeed. she had
suggested using the wagon before we
started.
"How can you ask such a question.
Naryf said the colonel. showing an
noyance. HAS II not lasted ever since
George Washington visited Augusta
1t will be here when we are gone aud
serve your grandchildren well yet. III
be bound" at which Miss Ellen col.
ored and Bud laughed heartily.
Bud drove to the back Of the church.
where there was a long row of horse
stalls. There were several old coaches
standing by, but none as ancient or
AZ grand as ours. and l found myself
taking pride in the apparent antiquity
Of the family was visiting and re-
member quite well sneering at the
newly painted buggies which were
lined along the fence. We not only
had q pew well up under the chancel.
but occupied place Of honor among
the middle aisle aristocracy. had
never heard Miss Ellen Sing and did
not know now whether she was 30
prano or alto. l was tempted sorely
to look around Just once to see her In
the organ loft. but 80 many eyes were
fixed on me that I kept mine txed re-
ligiously on the minister. After ser.
mon the Turpins held quite recep-
ton under the pines In the yard. and
! was given an opportunity Of seeing
In what respect they were held in the
county. Several Of the young men In
vited me to hunt with them and Of
fered me their guns. shells and dogs.
I'VE know Bud IL pretty busy" they
would sag. 80 II sou give the word we
will ride by for you some day this
week" Miss Ellen was the center Of
attraction. and every man tried to edge
himself within the circle that sur.
rounded her In order to receive one
passing remark from her at least
She seemed entirely unconscious Of the
influence she exerted in her limited
sphere. yet apparently took this hon.
age for granted, or 20 1t appeared to
me.
I'VE must have . dance In the han
while Mr.. Palmer Is here" I heard her
saying to some Of the girls who were
standing near. at which they immedl.
ately set up such clatter and chatter
as a hundred sparrows might be ex.
pected to make upon the first warm
day In spring. The following Friday
was settled as the day. and all. boys
and girls an well. agreed to come
Thursday and help cook the supper
for the party. and each agreed. too. to
bring something. Margaret Robert.
son said she would bring all the sugar
been used by General Oglethorpe him
self, 30 ancient did 1t look. The colo
mel assured me in a most serious vein
that It had never had that distinction.
though there was a tradition In the
family that 1t had been occupied By
General Washington on his famous
visit to Fort Augusta after the days
Of the Revolution. when he stayed at
Meadow Garden, the home Of the Wal
tons, the head of which family had
been one of those to sign the Declare.
ton of Independence. The coach wan
still strong and did not look out OF
place as 1t rambled through the pine
forests, but It would come near to up
setting at times when going down hills
where the roads were washed into deep
trenches.
Every now and then Bud would
bring the team to a stand and. telling
US that the trace or some other part