'
at the house. Oh, we live in the center of this town, at present."

"Annie," said the old woman, "pull down the shade. The impudent
things!"

"I don't believe I would," the old man tittered as his daughter arose
to obey. "It ain't right to rob folks of a pleasure that don't cost us
nothin'."

"There's that vicious Mrs. Potter," said Annie, and with a spiteful
jerk she pulled down the shade. "We will shut off her malicious view."

"It is to be expected that a bridegroom should be an object of
interest," Lyman remarked. "I awoke last night and thought that I
heard sleet rattling at the window, but recalling the time of year I
knew that it was rice thrown in showers by my friends."

The old lady looked at Lyman: "I am sorry that you're not more
serious," she said.

"Serious," Lyman repeated with a twinkling glance at the old man. "I
have done everything I can to prove that I am serious. I have just
been married."

"Oh, you got it that time, Tobitha. Got it, and I knowed you would."

"Jasper, for goodness sake, hush. Annie, come away from there, a
peepin' through at those good-for-nothin' people. They'd better be at
work earnin' a livin' for their families, gracious knows. Are you
going?" she asked as Lyman arose.

"Yes, to my office, to work for the _Sentinel_. I am the editor,
now."

"Why, you didn't tell us that," said Annie, turning from the window.

"My mind has been engaged with more important matters," he replied,
with his hands on the back of the chair, smiling at her. "It was only
yesterday that Warren offered to join his misfortune with mine."

The old woman sighed: "I hope you'll be careful not to say things in
the street to stir up strife," she said.

"Strife," the old man repeated with a laugh.

"Yes, strife," she insisted. "There are any number of men that would
like to get him into trouble, just to please Cousin McElwin."

"I think I can take care of myself," said Lyman, putting on his hat.

CHAPTER VIII.

SUPPRESSING THE NEWS.

Lyman found Warren almost in hysterical glee, treading air up and down
the office. "Ho!" he cried, as the bridegroom entered the office. "Let
me get hold of you. Ho!" he shouted louder as he shook Lyman's hand.
"Maybe we haven't got the situation by the forelock. Who ever heard of
such a thing! Shake again. I didn't hear about it till awhile ago, and
then I took a fit and caught another one from it. Glad I held the
paper in line with the Grangers."