The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1872-08-14
a LEAP YEAR LOVE STORY.

My dariings. still waiting shall welcome me.
LEAP YEAR LOVE STORY
Five and fifty wears, said Squire
Dockworthy, meditatiyely, shaking
the ashes out Of his pipe, five and ff-
" years \ man amt likely TO be
married, | guess, when be has lived
satisfied with q single lot all these
years.
Stranger things have been known
10 happen, Uncle Dockworthy,1 said
Ferdinand Aperley. who was a grace
less college boy Of nineteen or there
abouts.
Not in these parts, l guess"
opined the squire
Well, but, Uncle. things are diff
ferent from what they used to be"
persisted Ferdinand. You see there
never has been a period before, when
Women's Rights were in the ascen-
dancv as they are now"
Il don't see as that affects my par
tieular ease, said Squire Dockworthy,
"I amt a woman"
"Ah, you don't comprehend the i'm
minence of the danger" said Ferdi-
naad, solemnly.
Eh ?" said the squire.
With Miss Armathea JENKINS liv-
ing next door. and leap year at that. "
added young Apperly mischievously,
enjoying his relatives growing CON
sternation.
But you don't s'pose-"
Il suppose nothing" Interrupted
Ferdinand. Il only put the ease
problcmatieallv, just to convince YOU,
sir, that YOU can't be too careful
"Oh, pshaw + said the squire un-
easily, drawing a huge yellow silk
handkerchief across his brow, "vou
can't scare me with your college
nonsense, Ferdy. \ man can't be
married without saying 4 Will, no
more than n woman"
Bat when he went 10 the village
that afternoon Ferdinand noticed that
be took the way down Hollow dam, I
good eigth Of a mile cut of his wav.
sooner than pass the easement of Miss
Armathea JENKINS one story resi-
dence, next his own, on the high {
road.
1--WE made some impression on
him at all events said Ferdy to
himself with a sparkle of merry diab-
lerie in his ewes.
The Squire was sitting in the fire.
light that evening enjoying the sea-
son between daylight and dark tech
nically known as blind mans holi-
day when there sounded a soft tap
on the panels of the door.
Come in, . said the squire and a
tall form entered, clad in sober black,
with a bonnet of rusty bombazine
trimmed with huge black jet buckle.
Good evening to We, Miss Arma-
thea said the squire a little tremu-
lously, as he recognized the bonnet
and garb Of his spinster neighbor.
That colt O'mine's been breaking
through your pickets again? l de-
clare TO gracious | have q mind TO
sell him. :"
''Tisn't that, squire, thank you
kindly" was the answer.
"Set down, set down y said Mr.
DockwOrthy Bless me, what a cold
you've got-you're horse as crow
"Ahem = said Miss Armathea-
This weather is trying to weak
lungs; bat l called on business
squire"
| knew it was the colt said the
squire, desperately,
But it amt the colt said Miss
Jenkyns. Its myself, squire"
"Oh, said the gentleman.
Il have concluded" went on his
visitant, ''to take advantage of the
rights accorded to our sex by the
year, and--and-in short, squire
Mr. DoekwOrthv moved his chair
little back, but Miss Armathea antici- '
pated the movement by sinking the
ltrically on one knee before him.
Joshua, viii you be mine" she !.
with what might have
been either n sob or a hysteric laugh.
I'D rather not" said the squire
his chair little further still.
Joshua, would you break NV i.
leart ~ 0
Il guess tain't sobrittle as all that b
.aidt he squire uneasily. h
Il love YOU, Joshua Dockworthy a
Il have loved YOU these ten years. Il
the lady still on her knees. G.
Say, oh, say YOU will be all nay own, Il
I'm a good cook, Joshua-I'm a mas. Il
er hand at mems shirts, and ev- b
.rybody knows that place amt a a
'lace without a woman to slick it up. y Il
Il know, " said the squire, "but-" n
Miss Armathea rose to her feet and t.
lung her arms about the squire neck. u
Joshua Joshua viii YOU say b
RS C:
There was a rafting at the door in
ateh Of the room beyond. The squire q
rev scarlet as the possibility of r.
Ferdinand Apperly breaking in upon in
his unexpected tete-d-tete occurred to nj
is mind. Il,
Take your arms away,p said b,
he squire nervously Please &c
hats good girl" "Not till you in
peak the word that is to seal my fu- r..
ure bliss" persisted Miss Ienkyns. pl
stting the rusty bonnet drop on his p,
hoGlder. OF
Quick :" gasped our hero there's II
ome one comingr tu
Say yes, then, dearest Joshua" h
"The footsteps drew near. They W
aHsed almost at the door. 70
Yes" gasped the squire, breaking W
Ito clammy perspiration all over 81
YES, yes. Only 60" Ill
Miss Armathea Jenkyns only de
aused for parting pressure of her T.
ps to her lucient lovers brow, and 70