Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-07-05

for she began to feel life was bit short for
such manner of love-making and who shall
blame her? Everything was done to help
the young chap, and Hester Wedlake and
Jane Wedlake grew to be as clever as thieves
at making themselves scarce and leaving
him with Miriam; while she, for her part,
did all maiden fairly might to bring him
watched kettle, and wouldn't boil over,
though believe Miriam was very clever at
tickling his senses, as only girls know how.
Then Mrs. Wedlake, who had plenty of
gumption, whatever else she lacked, came
to me, and we had bit of tell about it.
Things have come to Climax she said,
@and I've been awake three nights, and I've
brought the plans of action down to two.
And I'd thank you to tell me which looks
the better in your mind, Billy. IT'S clear
that the man loves my daughter, and It's
clear she loves him, else she wouldn't have
been so patient and took such a mort of
trouble to get the ninnyhammer. So now
shall let go on him and give him dressing
down and tell him he'd better speak or for
ever hold his tongue, or shall take Miriam
away for bit of holiday by the seaside,
so that he'll have the coast clear to court
her on the quiet without all familiar faces
roundabout? He's as shy as a kriss hawk,
and maybe, if we go away from here and
he knows there amt eyes peeping behind
every hedge, he'll rise to it and follow us and
do his duty"
Well, advised the woman for straight
talk with the young man. Damerell's
mother had long left him, and he was on his
own and seemed to lack the needful wit and
spirit to do the deed; but l knew Mrs. We'd
lakes way, and little doubted that half an
hour with her would show him what he
ought to do. And of course, because l adj
vised that, the missis did the other thing,
and it was given out that Miriam was sick
and pinnicking and couldn't get down her
food and wanted change of air.
Then she and her mother went off to
Dawlish for fortnight, and the girl tried
her hardest to look pale and poorly; but
of course she couldn't succeed, being as hard
as nails. And if she was pale, it was with
anger at her failure to net Master Nick;
and if she was poorly, it was for the same
reason.
And it looked as if the missis was right,
after all; for when Damerell heard about it
he declared twas capital idea and seemed
very pleased. And he even went to the
station to see them start; for drove them
down in the market cart and saw him there.
And when the missis said, Il hope you'll
come to see us, Mr.. Damerell," he said,
@Very like may"
VET, before I'd been back in Clattworthy
l ten minutes, the farmer dropped in just
as usual.
4She be gone to Dawlish for sea bathing,
Nicholas Damerell-you know that 1 said;
for was in the house-place at the time get
ting bit of flesh for rat trap. But his
answer surprised me.
@No, she amt" he said; mot that I've
heard tell about, anyway
He seldom spoke at such length, and was
good bit astonished, of course. But left
him then, and when came in three hours
later to dinner, be shot if he wasn't there
still!
Jane had laid the cloth, and she'd broke
two mugs and burnt shepherds pie to a
cinder, and was all in a twitter; and Nicho-
las was silent, as usual, but in good temper
so far as l could see. He ate his meal along
with us; but said little more than yes or
no. and gathered he was going to Dawlish
the next day. Twas all one of they mys-
teries that will happen among the most
everyday folk; and not till he'd lit his pipe
and gone off did hear the fantastical truth.
After dinner he got up and put on his hat
and marched, and Jane walked to the gate
with him. And when she came back she
told me how it was.