Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1916-05-18

BY KATE CONWAY.


err been afraid OF him. He's got plenty
of money hid down the well, | sup
pose, or under the mounting stone
Then It's pity he doesn't dig up
some of It for Berenice." said Laura
passionately. "She has had to stay at
home and take care of her father and
all those children, five of than, ever
since her mother died, and they're
well--not poor-I suppose, but always
Just getting by-don't you know what
| mean, auntie? There isn't enough
money for this and that, and Bernice
can't even think OF getting married for
years and years"
Has she got anyone picked out
YETI" asked Aunt Bethiah.
Has she? Why. don't you know
she's engaged to our Rob-"
Mrs. Fennimore dropped her Gro
cheting and looked over her eye
glasses at her youngest niece. The hope
OF the Fennimore family was Rob.
Il suppose" said Mrs. Fennimore.
with Just a bit of a sigh, they were
sweethearts when they were children.
Hob's the kind of boy to keep tho
flower of romance blooming for years.
Is she nice, Laura?"
Nice? She's just darling, auntie.
Wen ride over there this morning and
you can see her She's the winsomest
girl you ever saw-just that, the win.
soonest"
Willing to marry Rob?'
"Oh. yes. tell you they've been en-
gagged since his junior year, but she
has big idea OF duty, and her IA
Their needs her But II their GRANDPA
Their Crawford would do the right
thing they could afford to hire a house
keeper and let Berenice get married in
peace"
Always was too selfish to give e
crow crumb," Aunt Bethiah agreed.
Wen see what can be done. I never
was afraid of Tuck Crawford and
amt today. He needs boss fear
fully"
About ten they drove over to the
junior Crawford home.
said Mrs. Fennimore when they came
away. "and | do like Berenice. She's
sweet as tea rose, | declare she ls,
with those big brown eyes and that
fair, curly hair. Bless her heart!
Just drive over to her grandiather's
place. viii you, Laura"
Back on an old side road 1t was, a
little gray house In tangle OF trees
and grape vines, with big we'll sweep
at the back and the barn across the
road. Mr. Crawford was struggling
with the well, trying to drbf up a
pail. and Laura hurried ovmNo help
him.
Don't spill il, mind" he cautioned
testify. Cant bear mite o damp
or mlldew round my house. Some
folks don't mind. but II makes me fear.
full chilly Just get it down on that
shelf by the sink. Laury. Much
obliged"
How be you, Tuck" called Aunt
Rethiah. happily, coming up the path
toward him. her full skirts brushing
weeds SO sweet-faced and blooming
she looked that Laura stared at her.
And so did Tucker Crawford. Not
such a vision had he seen In many
years In his front yard. He wiped his
hand off on his coat and gave 1t to
her bit shakily
why Bethiah, how be ye?" he ex.
claimed Look just as young and pert
as ever. When did you get over
hero?"
Been East two weeks"
Widow, too, amt your
These ten years, Tuck
well. well How pert you do look. y
His faded blue eyes fingered on her
cheerful face hungrily. Want a place
"a housekeeper, Bethiah? I've been
looking round for good, hardwork.
ing woman"
NO thanks" she laughed. I'm
provided for. Tuck / wanted to see
you about Berenice. your grandchild
Our Rob's In love with her, and she
with him I want them TO be married
before go back West Now. I'll give
Rob some money. enough to set him
UP, and want you TO look after Bere-
nice; give her a nice wedding and
some of her grandmother's linen and
silver. | know she had a lot of it,;
probably right up In your garrett this
minute"
Like enough II u.s. muimured Mr..
Crawford, stroklng his little pointed
beard II amt looked to see How
pert you look, Bethiah, can't get
over t."
After they had said good-by and
driven down the road, the old man
sfnnl watching thrrn lnnnino his a IN, o