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8 MALAESKA.
old woman, in her shrillest voice, shutting the door with a jar that
shook the whole apartment. _ L:
‘‘ Now the cross old thing will go off just to spite me,’ muttered
Mrs. Jones, trying to smother her vexation, and, opening the door,
she called to the angry ‘* help :”’ .!
‘“Why, Mrs. Bates, do come back, you did not stay to hear me
out. ‘Save the chickens’ liver and chop them up: with bread and
butter; season it nicely, and I dare say, you will be as well pleased
with it as can be.” eG
‘© Well, ‘and if I du, what shall I season. with —sage or summer-
savory? I’m sure I’m willing to du my best,’ answered the par-
tially mollified old woman. we
‘A little of both, Mrs. Bates —oh, dear ! won’t you come~ back
and sce if you can make my gown meet? There — do I look fit to
“be seen??? 0 vo Fe pO
, ‘Now, what do you ask that for Miss Jones? you know you look
as neat as a new pins ‘This is‘a mighty purty calerco, ain’t it,
though ? ”? Le na
The squire’s lady had not forgotten all the feelings of her young-
er days. And the old woman’s compliment had its effect.
*¢J will send down to the store for some tea and: molasses for you
to take home to-night, Mrs. Bates, and—’? =
‘© Mother ! mother !’? shouted young Ned, bolting into the room, “4
‘the sloop has tacked, and is making for the ercek. I sce three
people on the deck, and I’m almost sure father was one of them —
they will be here in no time.’’ ~ -. ‘ oo pes
Gracious me!?? muttered the old woman, hurrying away to
the kitchen. a me ns
Mrs. Jones smoothed down the folds of her new dress with both
‘hands, as she ran down to the ‘* out-room.”’ She took her station
in a stiff, high-backed chair by the window, with a look of conse-
“quential gentility, as if she had done nothing but sit still and re-
‘ceive company all her life. oO . no
_ After a few minutes’ anxious watching, she saw her husband and “
we MY daughter coming up from the creek, accompanied by a slight, dark,
sie and remarkably graceful young man, elaborately, but not gayly
Se dressed, for the fashion of ‘the time, and betraying even in his air
‘and walk peculiar traits of high-breeding and refinement. His head
was slightly. bent, and he seemed to be addressing the young lady
. who leaned on his. arm. - : ae .
"+. The mother’s heart beat high with mingled pride and affection,
as she gazed on her beautiful daughter thus proudly escorted home.
' There was triumph in the thought, that almost every person in the
village might witness the air of gallantry and homage with which
she was regarded by the handsomest and richest merchant of Man-
‘hattan. She sal that her child looked eagerly toward the house 8s
“they approached, and that her step was rapid, as if impatient of the
‘quiet progress of ‘her companions. Pride was lost inthe sweet
“thrill of matornal affection which shot through the mother’s heart