Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1870-10-27

Ma whalen'. face g!owed ike . ma
pie tree ip October.
"Whas did you sayf I guess must
have had my mind ON something else, !"
said she, In manifest confusion.
"Why," sale Hr. Means glancsng q her
flushed face suspiciously. II was asking
you to select . cheese-one Of your best
Iones-Sor me to take TO the store q .
specimen. And you needn't be particu-
lar TO scrape it of if there's any mould
Tor crease, or whatever, on the outside.
lCalista never did. 1t will weigh come.
Ming, she used TO say, and every little
helps'"
All, the mould was heavier than he
knew. 1t outweighed SIX small children !;
though helped in the balance BY . "cistern,
pump, and wash room down cellar"
II don't believe that letter was from
the Squire. Moses 10 master-hand to
conjure up things" thought the sanguine
Mr.. Means though rather uneasily; but
with rare delicacy refrained from asking
any questions.
"I'u risk it." concluded he, a. he started
for the village after tea. "6he has
smarter turn than Calista, and beats her
on cheeses. intend to marry the woman |;
hut I've no notion Of coming to the point
yet. She's been expecting IL for the last
six weeks; but understand the softer
sex; if you let EN- geo that you set by
EN-, they're apt to give themselves airs.
Get up, Dollyw
It may be Mr.. Means look Of amused
condescension would have given place to
one of dismsy If he had known who was
riding up to his door from the river.road.
M 1o,.ht ha xvnv.1d hoUo tnprad hoDE
waylaid the widow a. she was carrying
the spot. Bat secure in his ignorance
and self-complacency, he rode away TO
quite another tate.
At the same time Squire Linton, ring.
ing the Means door.bell, was trying to
fOrtify his faint heart, which was not
likely to win fair lady; and above all,
trying to look as If he really had not
been abstracting sheep from the neigh
boring meadow.
The widow met him with friendly po-
likeness; but having learned lesson on
the uncertainty of mankind, was careful
pecting him in the least, and only by the
merest accident happened TO be st home:
have been over to the minister's"
cblQ buC, ny way Va oPOlOky AOA ACA olA
dress, which she had not ventured to don
till Mr. Means was out Of sight thinking
it unnecessary to add that she only called
at the minister's for cup of yeast in the
early part of the day, with calico dress
on and an umbrella over her head).
81 thought it most likely you would
take fairer weather for your business to
Malburg. Quite storm to ride in. Glad
you didn't forget to call and tell me the
news from home"
This show of Indifference was quite un-
called for. Squire Linton had not noticed
the widows silk dress; and il he had was
not the man to take encouragement from
trifes.
'.She didn't understand my letter. or
else didn't mean to. She isn't the woman
10 meet man half way" thought he, de-
jectedly; and only liked her the better
for it.
"Mrs. Whalen, you-you don't mean
10 ssy you are permanently engaged?"
"No, not at all. I shall leave next
week"
Mslvina," said he, clutching at a for.
Iorn hope" Mslvins, you didn't write
and tell me not to callr
81 couldn't very well, Mr.. Linton. /
never got your letter till to day"
The Squire's faint heart dropped lower
yet.
"But, James, am glad to have you call
me 'Malvina.' 1t sounds like the good
old times when you and used to go TO
singing school together"
The handsome face lighted.
$50 you remember those old times, NAL
vina; and how you wouldn't let me be as
as tried to be. You knew what
my mind was long before spoke word;
hut there was always somebody between
u.s."
ayes; it was Ann Price" said the wld-
ow, innocently.
"You know very well I mean Peter
Whalen. I had never set eyes on Ann
then. She lived at Martha's Vineyard;
and Peter was the one that introduced US
the wear you were married"
"Oh, yes, now I remember! Well,
James, we both did as we were moved to
do; and I am sure you had no reason to
regret anything"
"True, very true. Ann was noble soul,
far too good for me. I was very fortu-
nate man, Malvina."
eyes, and she was fortunate woman"
quoth Mrs Whalen, with generous
warmth; for she had seen the day when
she envied Ann, and contrssted the de-
ceased Peter not very favorably with
James
Thank you, Malvina. SO it isn't-that
is to fay-if you should refuse me Sec
ond time, IL wouldn't be because you real
ly have anything against met There is
some consolation IN that"
"A second timer No. James; oh, no."
said the widow, tenderly.
ut would be because of my encum.
brances; my poor, dear little children"
swell, i don't know about that, either,
James,"
Mrs. Whalen's eyes were sufused but
Squire Linton dared not LOOK at her.
es, and stu more, because you don't
feel really inclined toward me; that Ia
what you mean, suppose ?"
II don't know, James,"
Her words were still lower and ten.
derer.
Hearts can not be controlled, Mslvi-
ma. You never did feel for me 40 did
for you in the days that are past, and 1t
L. - AAnk