pretty as a pink.

"Patty! "stammered Cephas, seizing his golden opportunity,
"Patty, keep your mind on me for a minute. I've put a new coat o'
paint on the ell just to please you; won't you get married and
settle down with me? I love you so I can't eat nor drink nor
'tend store nor nothin'!"

"Oh, I--I--couldn't, Cephas, thank you; I just couldn't,--don't
ask me," cried Patty, as nervous as Cephas himself now that her
first offer had really come; "I'm only seventeen and I don't feel
like settling down, Cephas, and father wouldn't think of letting
me get married."

"Don't play tricks on me, Patty, and keep shovin' me off so, an'
givin' wrong reasons," pleaded Cephas. "What's the trouble with
me? I know mother's temper's onsartain, but we never need go into
the main house daytimes and father'd allers stand up ag'in' her
if she didn't treat you right. I've got a good trade and father
has a hundred dollars o' my savin's that I can draw out to-morrer
if you'll have me."

"I can't, Cephas; don't move; stay where you are; no, don't come
any nearer; I'm not fond of you that way, and, besides,--and,
besides-"

Her blush and her evident embarrassment gave Cephas a new fear.

"You ain't promised a'ready, be you?" he asked anxiously; "when
there ain't a feller anywheres around that's ever stepped foot