orgetting the two steps that she had
just ascended. Flat upon her back she fell, the pan of cream drenching
her from head to foot.

"It's drownded I am! It's drownded I am!" she cried at the top of her
voice.

"What's the matter? How did it happen?" said Mandy, as she rushed into
the room, followed by Swiss.

"Shure it's thinkin' I was," moaned Mrs. Crowley, "when the milk fell on
me."

"Thinkin' of what?" cried Mandy sharply. "You couldn't have been
thinkin' of your business."

"Shure I was thinkin' of the day when Pat Crowley and I both sat in the
same chair, forty years ago," said Mrs. Crowley, rising to her feet and
wiping the cream from her eyes, and nose, and ears.

During this time Swiss was busily engaged having a rich feast upon the
cream left in the pan. Hiram appeared at the kitchen door to learn the
cause of Mandy's absence.

Raising her hands high in the air, Mrs. Crowley said, "Bless you, my
darlints; may yer live long and may all the saints pour blessin's on yer
hids."

And with this invocation the poor old woman hobbled off to her room in
the ell and was not seen again until the next morning.

CHAPTER XXXIII.

THE WEDDIN'S.

The next day was Saturday. While the Pettengill family was at breakfast,
Squire Rundlett arrived. He had driven over from Montrose with the
partnership papers for Strout, Hiram, and Quincy to sign and also the
will of the late Mrs. Hepsibeth Putnam.

As he came into the kitchen he espied Mandy, and a broad smile spread
over his face as he said, "Good morning, Miss Skinner, was that paper
all right?" Mandy flushed scarlet but said nothing. "Honestly, Miss
Skinner," said the Squire, "I think it was a very sensible act on
Hiram's part. If men were obliged to put their proposals in writing
there wouldn't be any more breach of promise cases."

"I think he was a big goose," finally ejaculated Mandy, laughing in
spite of herself.

"At any rate," continued the Squire, "he knew how to pick out a smart,
pretty little woman for a wife;" and he raised his hat politely and
passed into the dining-room.

Here he was asked to have some breakfast. He accepted a cup of coffee,
and, while drinking it, informed Quincy and Alice of the twofold purpose
of his visit.

Quincy led Alice into the parlor, the Squire accompanying them. Quincy
then retired, saying he would join the Squire in a short time and ride
up to the store with him.

When they were alone, the Squire informe