Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1870-10-27

attentive as tried to be. You knew what
my mind was long before spoke a word; !;
but there was always somebody between
u.s."
"Yes; it was Ann Price" said The widow
innocently.
"You know very well mean Peter
Whalen. / had never set eyes on Ann
then. She lived at Martha's Vineyard,
and Peter was the one that introduced us
theyear you were married"
"Oh, yes, now / rememberl Well, James.
we both did as we were moved to do; and
am sure you had no reason to regret any
thing"
"rrue, very true. Ann was a noble soul,
far too good for me. was very FORUM
ate man."
"Yes. and she was fortunate woman, :"
quoth Mrs. Whalen, with generous warmth;
for she had seen the day when she envied
Ann, and contrasted the deceased Peter not
very favorably with James.
THANK you, Malvina. So it isn't-that
is to say-if you should -e.use me a second
time, it wouldn't be because you really
have anything against me-? There is
some consolation in that"
"a second timer No, James; oh, no T.
said the widow, tenderly.
'It would be because of my incumbran-
ces; my poor dear little children y
'Well. 1 don't know about that either,
James"
Mrs. Whaien's eyes were suffused; but
Squire Linton dared not look at her.
"Yes. and still more because You don't
feel really inclined toward me; that is what
you mean I suppose;"
81 don't know, James"
Her words were still lower and tenderer.
"Hearts cannot be controlled, Malvina.
You never did feel for me as 1 did for you
in the days that are past, and it doesn't
stand to reason that You ever can now.
was fool ia think of such thing. / hope
you will never lay it up against me, but let
us be friends the same as ever"
Friends, certainly, James," said the
widow, jumping up to set book straight
on the center-table.
"Yes, 1 knew it could be nothing more,
Malvina; still, I cannot say that am quite
prepared for this disappointment In her
last days Ann looked into the future, and
grieved for me left without her. i know
she said, there is one woman in the world
Who could almost fill my place for you; ;
though you ne not think it pains me to
say it. for nothing would give me more sat
isfaction than to feel sure Malvins Whalen
would DrlnS up my cnlloren-
The widow was weeping.
"Now have hurt your feelings, Malvina.
did not intend to allrde to such a paiAfal
thing. hope You won't think for a mo-
ment had any object"
ANY object2" sobbsd the widow; ''what
object?"
"Why, to work upon your sympathies,
Malvina- i know how tender-hearted you
are, and would scorn to take advantage of
your sensibility. No, you have refused me
because You cannot love me, and am the
last man"
Refused you? When?"
"Why. just nov. But, Malvina, no one
could have done il more delicateiy. You
did oil you could to soften the blow"
There was a convulsive shaking of the
portly figure before him; Mrs. Whalen was
laughing.
81 don't refuse before Tm-asked," sob
bed she, hysterically. "And. James Lin
ton, if you think you've offered yourself to
me this time, any more than you did be-
fore. you are very much mistaken"
The Squire opened his honest brown
eyes.
"What-what did you say. Malvina?"
"You merely told me you shouldn't do
il, snd didn't mean to-"
"Now. my dear"
III was just SO sixteen years ago." said
the widow, with bashful g.ance down.
ward. "You said you-you-. Well, you
inIimated then that Peter was in the way.
Perhaps might have refused you. James.
perhaps not; but, dear knows, never had
the chanca."
"Malvina Turnerl" cried Squire Linton,
with sudden courage; 'you don't mean to
say there was the fain.est possibility"
The widow covered her face with her
hands. How could she answer without
compromising the deceased Peter?
''Or is now? But, possible or impossi-
BILE, you shall have the chance to receive
me this time. offer you my hand with
my whole heart in it. Say no, Malvina. -
What if don't want to, James ?" MUIR
INJURED the widow.
''Oh, Malvina, you wouldn't trife with
mer'
"You expect me to say No. don't you,
James?" said she. archly. ut would be
such pity to disappoint you"
Actually, now!' cried James, seiZing
her hand rapturously, lit does seem to
me, Malyina, as if you are giving me some
encouragement
Indeed And it does seem to me,
James" returned the widow frankly, "tbai
you are rather dull, or you would have seen
that am attache to you, and have been
for some time"
"Now, Malvina, il you say that from the
depths of your soul you make me the hap.
piest man living"
"There, there. James; don't let's be fool
ish at our time of hfe," said Malvina, hei
heart running over into her face, and set
ting it sglow with Joy. ''Don't let as be
foolish! must go now and get some
light wood; We need little fire on the
hearth"
All this while Mr.. Means was selling
cheese, mold and all, with great satisfac-
ton And while Malvina aud "the happi
est man living" were chatting Delightfully."-
by the fireside, AI. Means was riding home
by starlight.
| "a fire in the parlorl Well, it's damp
night for the time O. year, and Mrs. Wha
len is verv thoughtful of my comfort.
declare fort, won't put it off another day
I'll offer myself to that woman, and make
her happy; she deserves it,"
! But the sound of voices Jared on the
good mans ears as he approached the par
lor.
Company here? I want to know |"
"If you had spoken sooner, James,
never should have come to Malburg on
trial"
"what do you mean, dear, by coming or
trial?'
''Why. the truth is. Mr.. Means wanted
to try my housekeeping, and thought
would try his house."
'You surprise me, Malvina- You CAM
mean"
"Yes, James, am ashamed to confess
it; but he is wealthy man, highly re-
spectacle, and was uneasy and ambitious
and out Of all patience with Dorcss -ani
as for you But, James, have repentec
o. my folly. 1t has been q trial to Mr.
Means as well as myself. / think we ar
both satisfied now; at any rate, am"
Explain yourself, my dear"
"Why, he wants wife who will saw
cheese-mould and pork-rinds. like hii
sainted Oalista; and prefer husbant
who won't ask me to do il.
Meaning me? Thank you, my friend.
Eyes, James, your soul is above th'
soup-kettle. Don't know?"
'What luck what luck !" thought poo
Israel Means, twitching his hair behind tn
door. 'Tve gone and overreached mysel