The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

The July sun was sending its slant- lng rays across the kitchen floor, as Mrs. Jane Whitford moved about get- ting supper. Her spry step and chef- getic movements were in accord with the cheerful scene. Everything be- tokened thrift and neatness; notafly was to be seen and no dust was visible to the naked eye. Of course it was there, for no housekeeper ever gets complete victory over the dust demon, but it was out of sight in Mrs. Whit- (ord’s kitchen, which is all that can be expected. There was reason for the absence of the fly, for the outer door and all the windows were protected by blue cotton screening, the frames of which were painted green, a. discord in color to be sure, but the occupants of this comfortable farmhouse had strong nerves, hence no one was dis- turbed and the screens fulfilled their purpose. “Well,” said Mrs. Bemis, with a, proper show of reluctance which was wholly superficial, as she had intended to remain all along, "I s'pose 10311, if it ain't goin' to be any trouble to you I sh'll be rather late to supper if I wait 'til Igit home, sure enough." She was umiddle»aged woman, and, as she removed her bonnet in response to her hostess' urgent invitation, time's imprint was shown in the sprinkling of gray hairs among the brown locks parted over the narrow forehead. Her gray eyes spoke of many trials borne and misfortunes ex- periencad. but there was a kindly light shining from them, nntuilhxtunding, “Late? 'taint so very late 2111' if 'tis you‘re goin‘ to stay. I'd look well letâ€" tin' you goon home jus' supper time," returned Mrs. Whitford cordially, as she finished the rent and put away her sewing tools. A large black and white cat sat in the sunshine which streamed in at the door, lazily snapping at the flies on the outside, regardless of the {utility of his effort. He had white paws and a white spot under his chin, which his mistress called ‘his apron, and which was always inn-state of snowy white- ness. "Sam" was evidently the family pet and had a reputation for great intelligence. The woman, Ellen Bemia by name, returned her greetings, and said "I‘ll jus‘ stops. minute long's you’ve got it most done. But you‘re gettin’ sup- per, fer your table‘s set. I mustn't stay long if it's so late." “Huw much milk‘ll you need t‘nighl. mother?" "0b, gi‘ me two or three quarts," she answered. He measured out the milk and “em outhaylng he Would be In to supper soon. Mrs. \Vhitford wusa widow, and her son was the delight and pride of her life. She always talked about John a great deal to her friends, and never. spoke ‘as if 'he possesseda fault or lacked a virtue. "Why," Mrs. Whitford would say, "it I tell him to roll over, he’ll do it just as quick! and he does look so cute. He knows what [say to him as much as folks do." But Sam was prone to mischief some- times. He delighted in putting his paw through the screen door, and just now, as Mrs. Whitforfi came from the pantry, she spied him in the act of beginning his mischievous work. He had already made a small rent. "How'd do, Ellen i” called Mrs. \Vhit- ford, when her visitor was within hailing distance, "aint this a splendid day? I’m really glad to see you. Come in au' set down. I'll be done with this ina minute," she added. handing her visitor achair and keeping on with her work. After the evening meal was done and John was finishing the chores at the barn, Mrs. Bemis remarked as she wiped the dishes for Mrs. Whitford: "John’s a payin‘ attention to Addie Churchill now, aint he f" "Yes," said his mother good-na- turedly, and then lowering her tone, Ibo added: "Don't you tell, Ellen. but “Oh, you rascal!" she cried, as she took the broom to him and sent him flying outdoors, "if you aint the big- gest rogue, now I've got to mend that screen again. This's the fourth time (do believe that cat has put his paw through that screen door." She procured scissors, needle and thread and was repairing damages when a woman came into the yard and walked up the drive-way to the house. “Yes, ‘twas just that," said Mrs, Bemis; "she begun by askin’ how my folks was, an’ kinder led up to you and .was terrible anxious about your health. Then she says, ‘Mis‘ Bemis,I don‘t want to ask what’s none 0‘ my bus’ness, but I sh‘d be glad if you’d tell me some things about John Whit. ford. You know he’s been goin‘ with my Adeline for some time an’ I think he‘s gettin’ ready to speak. I want to know if he‘s liberal. The \Vhitfords .haint had the name 0’ bein’ very gen- ’rous an’ Idon‘t want any girl 0’ mine to marry a stingy man. I’ve seen enough 0‘ close foiks. My oldest sister ‘married a. man who’s terrible tight in the pure-strings an” she aint had no 'comfort 0’ life ever since. I hate to have another one 0’ the same kind in :the fam’ly, though 0’ course John Whitford's a nice feller.‘ [expect he intends to speak t'night, He’h goln' up there. You better stay 'til he's ready an' ride along with him as far's the turnpike. It‘ll save your walkin'." "I guess Iwill,” said the other. .There was a silence fora few mo- ments as the two women went on with their work. Then Mrs. Bemis spoke. "Jane," said she seriously, coming nearer, as she wiped a cup. "I come up here t’night ’cuuse I wanted to tell you somethin’, if you'll promise not to tell John. I do’ want to make trouble between lovers', but I thought you’d like to know." “I shan’t say an'thin," returned Mrs. Whitford calmly. “Well.” said Mrs. Bemis, "I was up to Elmiry Groveses the other dny, S'ho's Hiram‘s second cousin, you know. She lives in Bayville now, and whenI was to the station waitin‘ for the train home, who should come in but Addie Churchill's mother. When she saw me, she walked right up to me an‘ "V‘Good aft’noon, Mis’ Bgmis. as friendly as could be, tho‘ we aint much acquainted. Icouldn‘t think what on‘ earth made her so approachin‘, but I [ound out.” "\Vanted to quiz you, didn’t she V” asked Mrs. VVhitford; "she knows you’n Iare cousins, an’ she thought she was goin' to find out 'bout family matters, I‘ll be bound." ' "011, she kinder apologized 2111' said she didn’t doubt he was all right, but she thought she'd like to know, that was all. She said she thoughtaman that was close wasn‘t near the man he ought to he in other things, it kinder warped his character in every direc- tion. She hada great horror of - it. She told how her sister's husband had spells sometimes; ’twas when he Was worried over money matters. He‘d come in an‘ set down to. the table 1111' eat his vittles without sayin‘ a. word all dinner-time, an’ keep it up for several days ata time. ’Twas terrible depression," she said, ‘to have to live with such a man.‘ " so.st "Yes, must be," assented Mrs. Whit- ford. “My man wasn’t like that though he was a pretty good band to stick to adollar.” “Well, nobody’s perfect. It's too bad, but when you‘git right down to the. fine point, Jane, even the best 0' folks has got some. weakness or failin’ that spoilds the effect, sometimes. If I was to hev my choice of a stingy an‘ a spendthrift Idon' know, but I beâ€" lieve Ish’d take the close man ev'ry time, for I’d be likely to hev somethin‘ in my old age un’ not be haunted by the poor house, if I did hev to go without some things I'd like to hev." " 'Mis’ Churchill,’ says I. 'you needn't worry none about John. His father was kinder close, Is‘p‘ose, but he died when John wan’t but four years old, an’ he’s ben brought up by his mother, as generous an‘ free a woman as ever I see, if she is my cousin. I guess he won’t turn out very stingy,’ says I." "No," said Mrs. \Vhitford, With mild scorn, "she can sleep 0‘ nights, for all the tightâ€"fistedness there is in John, Come out an‘ set on the porch, Ellen, now the dishes are done. \Vhat else did she hev to say 1” “Sam,” the cat, came purring around as the two women went outside, and ensconced himself in his mistress’ lap‘ “Yes, but jes' the same. a middlin’ free man‘s more comf‘table to git along with, to my mind," returned Mrs. \Vhitford, as she stroked Sam's back. 7 "I heura minister preach asermon once on generosity, an’ he was awful cute. Some 0’ his ideas hev staid in my head ever since. 1 remember one thing he said: "Twas a good thing some folks did die; ’twas fortunate there was an end to their meanness, “’hy,’ sez he, 'I've known iolks so (-1059 they wouldn’t give you a piece of their minds, without chargin' for it.” . Both women laughed. "0‘ course Idon’ give jest his words. He said too that the New Jerusalem measured twelve thousand furlongs, but some 0' the folks that expected to git there wouldn‘t need all that room unless they stopped puttin‘ copper: an‘thin," returned Mrs The young man tied the horse and went up stairs to make ready. Soon he appeared, arrayed in his best, and zwhen his mother told him Ellen was going to ride as far as the turnpike, he assented with preoccupied air. As they ;1‘ode along the country lane, bordered Eon either side with grey, ivyâ€"covered Iwalls, and now and then astately elm lor sturdy maple tossing its leaves in the evening breeze, not much was said. .John asked if crops were coming along lwell with her folks and after Mrs. Bemis had answered, both relapsed in- to silence. The peace and quiet of the \scene through which they were pass- ing pervaded Ellen's mind and John was thinking of the future. “All right," assented John. cheer- fully. He drove into the barn, and be- ’fore he could assist her to alight Ade- lline was out and had gone into the l house with the cherries. A shadow came over John’s face. “Just her ‘plaugey independence," he muttered; "terrible afraid I‘ll help her out an‘ havea chance to hold her hand half a ‘ minute.” into the contribution box, an‘ I rememâ€" ber he give the Bible 8. great thump an' hollered up when he said it. Asa. gen‘ral thing Idon't enjoy apreacher that pounds the Bible, an' Hiram says 'taint usin‘ the good book proper, but we both thought he told the truth that time." "Pretty plain talk, I sh‘d think." commented Mrs. Whitford. “Yes, but it didn’t hurt us none to hear it. I told Hiram after meetin’I guess we was all hit an’ that‘s what made the folks all laugh. \Ve agreed We wouldn’t put no more coppers in the box an‘ we haint. But Iguess I‘m lacking in the generosity 0’ love, I don't hev the patience with other folk’s notions I’d orter hev an’ its jest as bad to be stingy with our charity as an’thin‘ else, Is‘pose.” “That's so, but Ishuuldn't wonder if we was all lackin‘ some in that line. I tell John human nature‘s awful weak stuff. au' errin’. He seems to think Adeline‘s ‘bout perfect, but he'll find out she aint. He was a. talkin’ the other day ’bout her bein' so. indepen- dent, said ’twas all the fault she hed, an’ he, didn’t think ’twas avery bad one either, only he thoughtawoman orter be willin’ to lean on a an' be kinder easy influenced au’ yieldin’, He expects she’s goin’ to change some after She’s married; he should talk some of her ideas‘out of her, he said, I didn't say nothin’, but Ihed my private opinion." "How’d do, Adeline?“ said John, stop-ping his horse and getting out. "Pickin’ cherries ?" \Vhen they reached the turnpike the young man assisted his companion to alight. She thanked him for the ride, both said good-night and John drove on toward the home of the one girl the world contained for him. A short distance from the Churchill‘s John found (Adeline by the road-side, picking cherries from an old gnarled cherryâ€"tree whose branches hun low. She stood on a stone wall, the folds of her thin muslin gown half revealing the supple lines of her slender figure, and the outline of her rounded arms was plainly visible through her sleeves as she reached for the fruit. She made agretty picture, enchanced by a slight flush on face and forehead, as she turned her. head and saw the team and driver. "Yes," she answered, as her color deepened and then faded "I guess I better be goin’ home, too. Looks as though we was goin’ to hev a shower," and she sprang lightly from the_wall to the footâ€"path by the road-side. "Guess he’ll have somethin’ to do to bring that about," said Mrs. Bemis, smiling significantly. “But here’s John an’ ’Lhe hoss all hitched up. I mus’ be gettin’ ready; he won’t want to wait for me, if he's like the rest 0’ the men,” laughing as she arose. The day had been hot and sultry, a typical July day, and as the twilight deepened, a dark thunderâ€"cloud loomed up in-the west. "P’raps 1 (night‘s well," she swered slowly, and handing him pail full of fruit. she got into the riage. “I don’t believe it‘s goin’ to ruin," he said, "don’t you want to go to ride, Adeline? Let's go up by the Scum Dunham road.” "I think ’tis goin’ to rain,“ she re- turned with decision, but pleasantly, "you better put your team in the barn and we lcan set on the front piazza. Then if it rains we’ll be near home.“ “Hadn‘t you better get in an' ride, then? I was comin’ up to see you.” Adeline soon appeared witha wrap on her arm. “Mu says she thinks the shower aint comin‘ this way, but Ibetter put on my sacque ‘cause the Wind's cool." They walked slowly round to the front of the house, Adeline, who wasa great talker,chaiting blithe'y about the church picnic and other matters of the local interest. She finally asked him if he was going to the picnic. "I'm goin' if you are,” he made an- swer, seriously. The quick color came to her face, but she merely said she intended to go if nothing happened. There was an awkward silence as they seated them- selves on the piazza steps. But John at length screwed up his courage. "Adeline, is there anybodyâ€"- youâ€"like beiter'n me?“ "No," in low tones, with averted face. John drew nearer, encouraged. "Do youâ€"think you could make up your mind to take â€" me, Addie?" She put her hand in his silently and smiled up at him. He pressed her hand and looked asa respectable lover ought, under the circumstances; very happy- "1"raps I' shan‘t suit you, Ad’line; you don't know only the best side 0’ me," be said with some solicitude. “\Vell, you don't know me neither," was the girl’s reply. "I‘ve got lots 0‘ faults; you‘ll find (that out," laughing. "I don‘t b‘lieve it; you’re the best girl the Lord ever made," protested the loyal lover, and so they talked and cooed in their newâ€"found happiness. So absorbed were they the approach- ing thunder storm was unnoticed until a few drops of rain and a vivid flash of lightning, followed by a sharp re- port, warned them the shower was coming. Adeline sprang up. "Let's go into the parlor," she said, and led the way into the tiny front room dedicated to courtings, weddings and funerals. They were sitting at the two front windows watching the storm, when Adeline remembered her mother‘s injunction when they were discussing her future one day, for they were as fully assured that John would propose as that the sun would set. Flirting was unknown in their com- munity. "You be sure," her mother had said, “to hev it in the bargain that you’re to hev the butter’n egg money, an’ then you’ll hev somethin' you can call your own. He may be all right an’ think he's willin’ to give you everythin’ you want, but it aint best to take no risks. An’ he’s got stingy blood in him; maybe it haint showed none yet, if his mother’s free hearted an’ brought him up gen’rous, but what‘s in folks is bound to come out sometimes. It takes circumstances to bring out what’s in folks an‘ he aint never hada fam’ly to support. You listen to me, Addie, and hev it fixed aforehand.” Adeline had demurred at the time and said she didn’t care p'tic‘larly ’bout the money. She didn’t think it would look very well to begin talkin' ’bout what you was to hev when a man asked you. But her mother insisted it looked all right, and she would be a good deml happier after she was mar- ried if she did as she.said. And Mrs. Churchill’s strong will and decided opinion won the day. “My wife’li be well pervided for." Adeline’s mother was not aware that a prominent trait of John‘s character was a certain obstinacy if he thought he was driven. His mother understood this and was careful never to arouse his “contriness,” as she called it. He was also quick to take offense but quick to recover from it, and he reâ€" sented Adeline‘s question. He thought "it was some more 0‘ her plaguey in- dependence." A shadow came over John's face as he looked at the lowering clouds and the downfall of rain. He made no teâ€" ply at first, but presently said. stiffly; “I didn’t mean you wouldn‘t do well by me, but every woman ought to have somethin‘ of her own, ma says." At this John flushed up, his petu- lance increasing. “If your ma can’t trust me to do the right thing prob'ly she wont want you to marry me, “and then repented and wished he had not said it. “Excuse‘ me, Addie,” he started to say, but she l interrupted him. Adeline, whn had been ready to let the matter rest was likewise disturbed by his reply. ' "I think if you was lib‘ral at all, you wouldn't be gettin’ provoked at such a little thing. P‘rapsI better not have a man who thinks more of his money than he dues of hi; \\i“e"' and Adelin -'5 eyes flashed, for she was quick-tem- pered too. “You're goin‘ to let me hev the but- ter an’ egg money, ain’t you, John?" Adeline asked, persuasively, as they talked about their plans. prost IL was now so dark they could not see each olher’s faces save whm the room was lit by the flashes of light- ning. The thunder was almost inces- Sam and torrents of rain were falling, The storm of anger in the two young hearts increased also audit looked as if their future relations would be far from harmonious. a gre deafi :ldenly, ’whtlt seeme nng 11 Eli!) ate in und, and the road Eng: ball near the hon '1 to them like fire, fell with lle “'lll Vlsll. the l'i-lnclpnl European l'oni't's Tlih Summer. The Shah of Persia. having been {tour years on the throne, wishes to see the warld, and has p-lannedalong Journey. He will visit St. Petersburg. 1 Berlin, Vienna, Paris, London and. Constantinople, and will be enter- ,tained at all the courts. It will be a ! costly journey, and the shah is not re< i puted to be rich; but his credit is good, especially in St. Petersbiirg, where the ( ireasufy is always ready to made ad- ‘vainoef tot the ruler of a vassal state lwhoee territory; Russia, covets. by dieting the birds on a. number on different substances. the chief of which is cayenne pepper mixed wuh molasses. Dealers are able to pio- duce particularly desirable shades by varying the quunLily of pepper and by adding occasionally a little lur- menc or madder. EJCh dealer has 1 his own formula, which he keeps sec- In :1 tries Adeline was clinging to John, terrified and trembling. "Oh John, John. aint you struck?‘ she gasped. “Close call for your house, Abner,I sh‘d say,” was Mrs. Churchill's re- joinder. They all laughed and the three men set to work to remove the tree from the highway, for it had fallen directly across the road. Adeline went with John to the barn when the way was cleared, and. it ocâ€" curred to her as he unhitched the horse that their dispute was not set- tled. "John," she whispered as he kissed her good-night, “It's all right ‘bout the money. I don’t care. Ma put me up to it." "Yes," he answered tenderly, as he held her, "right here," and laid his hand on his heart and laughed. Some little details which would be uninteresting to outsiders ensued, and when the shower was over they went out to look at the tree. They found Adeliue's father and mother and the hired man there. “Footy close call for my burn!" said Mr. Churchill. "Did she 9" he asked quickly. "Well. you c’n hev it, Addie; I intended you should, but don‘t tell you mu. It's none 0’ her affairs." She laughed coyly. “I’ll see ’bout that," was all she would say. The next evening he had occasion to drive over to Mr. Bemis and his mother went with them. He went out to the barn to find Hiram, and Ellen asked Mrs. Whitford in an excited whisper. “Did he propose 7” "Yes, an’ he’s got. Adeline adlamond ring. Wonder what Mrs. Chum-hill will say to that!" He Ls a ruler without strength of character, who is believed to have secured the throne through Russian support When his older brother had a clearer right to it, und would have re- snsted foreign influence more strenu- ously. He is a pleasure-loving sove- reigin who likes no go about every- thing in the easiest way. Muzalffar-ed-dim, the shah. ls near~ 1y fifty years old. He looks younger than he is, [or there are no traces oi gray In 1113 jet-black hair and long. drooping mustache, and there are no [mes on his narrow forehead. His eyes are soft and dreamy, the "contour of ms face is regular, and hisn smile 13. that of an indolent and weak man who can be easily'aumused. Great results may follow the Shah's cu-cuit ovf European travel. An em- plre larger than France and Germany together may. ‘be opened to European commerce; and Russ'na may find herâ€" self on) the Persian Gulf and on the frammr of India \W‘uile EnglLsh- men are asking Whether Lord 521118â€" bury was really in earnest when he declared that there was “room enough- for all ixu Asia." COLORING CANARY BIRDS. A popular color for canary-birds in England at. present is a reddish yel- low. or deep orange. This calor. it us said. can be produced uriiflclafly What for? 13 told the Dutchman to cream trousers, and the valet greased 'em his own formula, whlch he Keeps sec- ret. The plumage of the buds thus treated is up: to fade. and they‘ are kept as muuh as possible uul of. the ught. Mrs. Stubbâ€"Job pockets in which themselves at the Mr. Stubbâ€"\Va{l. Maria, if they as difficult to locate. as those of majority of her sex 1 can’t see the young ones find thum. valet get Ber THE BREAKING tie has dischur THE SHAri’S CIRCUIT. U N LOCATED 1, the kang first scent youn POINT Ins lrno has COR than how n5