The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1913-01-09

the point of danger with poise and
! graciousness. Il think she resembles
my side of the family, don't your"
She does seem more set up than
the Potterses." Aunt Polly smiled, and
turned to meet Jacks hearty salute
I'm Jack, auntie. How's things
down home?"
Well fair to middlin', fair to mid
dim. l brought you up some Hub
bard squashes, and good Peck's Pleas
ants, and nuts, and ginger cookies.
amt forgot when I was young. 1
knew the children would enjoy things
right from the old place where their
| father was born"
so kind OF you. Polly" acknowl-
edged Mrs. Potter, sweetly. Betty.
you may remove them to the kitch-
en-"
Wait a minute; l amt got a good
look at you yet This is Miles girl,
amt it? She favors Mile, too"
Geraldine smiled shyly.
Call me Gerry, auntie. Jack does"
She don't handsome a bit, does
she, Maggie?" Polly said. Anybody
sitting Study with you, yet, child?"
I'm to be married Easter week"
MY, backward, amt ye?" laughed
Polly. Run along and take your
walk Who's she going to marry,
| Maggie?"
"A gentleman in Wall street Of
! fee"
you don't tell me- Amt that too
bad! But love goes where it will
Jackie, help your old aunt of with
/ these pesky tight shoes and get my
old slippers out OF that bag on top.
/ pretty near lost all my religion
wearing them down here"
Jack knelt on the floor, putting on
the slippers.
Mother worries too much"
"Hurries too much?"
Worries. She has a good many
social engagements"
Il didn't know they'd let Potters
/ Pure Pellets into New York society,"
| chuckled Polly. Land, Jackie, | re
member when your father used to put
ter around home over his little dough
/ and sugar pills, and little pepsin4
And he put on the labels they'd cure
/ everything on earth excepting chill
blains and boils. Seems queer to
think he made fortune out OF them,
| before he died"
It's about all gone now" said
Jack cheerfully. We're putting on
/ "a 1nf ~ -,
back up with the real goods. It's in.
the air down here"
Better come home with me. You're
a Potter through and through,
Jackie. Sitting Study with any girl?"
Jack grinned, and shook his head.
! Out in the hall they could hear Bet
| tvs voice singing.
Il want Betty" he said simply.
She sings like an angel"
"Umm. Be lot OF help to you on
the farm won't she? She was so glad
TO see me" Aunt Polly warmed her
toes at the radiator, and thought for
minute. Then she said. I'm afraid
I'm too old-fashioned for Maggie and
/ Gerry. They don't take TO me, do
they"
She glanced up shrewdly at Jack.
Have you asked Betty to have
yer"
She's only seventeen, Auntie."
Don't you waste time, Sonny
was In love at sixteen, and we kept
a'waitin' and a'waitin' for his folks
10 die and my old bedridden father to
stop needin' me, and by the time
they'd all passed over the shining
strand. my lad died too, and we'd
missed our way somehow along loves
post road. Sometimes you can't put
much faith in the sign posts along
that road. Now, you brace right up
to the occasion and ask Betty while
she's sweet as a rosebud"
How long can you stay, Auntie?"
We'll, 1t depends. day or so.
some up on a little business besides"
said Polly placidly gathering her bon
net and knit muller. and coat and
shawl together. "Mebbe I'll take you
home with me, Jackie"
Jack stood where she left him, and
Betty came in. Somehow the old
lady's simple philosophy OF life had
put new courage into him.
Betty" he said, slowly, Betty. lis
ten Aunt Pollys offered TO put me
to work on her woodpile II marry
you"
Betty dropped the broom and dust
pan with bang and looked at him.
Jack had always been her hero, ever
since the day when somebody had
brought her there to live, little pen
sioner on her godmother's bounty.
shes Just making fun, guess"
said Betty, with a sigh. You couldn't
cut wood"
Il could learn, dear" Jacks arms
folded around her somehow as IL they
belonged there. Wed chuck all this
city life, and go back home. There's
about hundred and sixty acres there
of land waiting for somebody to wake
It up. l remember dad telling about
It. Would you go with me, Betty"
Betty turned her head to answer.
and met his lips And 80 Mrs. Potter
found them as she came in the dining
room. followed by Aunt Polly.
Jack, I'm amazed at you." she be-
gan, in a repressed, sorrowful tone.
but Polly laughed.
Lon