The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1875-05-14
VOLUME 8.
The girl treated him to a stupid stare,

and then her usual plunge:
"One on 'em is"
"Waiting for me, of course; I'm
right" murmured our hero.
"She's in the parlor," pursued Betsy,
with dive of her hand in that direc- /
tion.
"All right" and jeremiah slipped a
fve-cent piece into her willing hand;
"go on with your work, | know the way.
The slight noise had not disturbed
Melinda, and for a moment Jeremiah
contemplated his inamorata. Yes, "she
was She" at least as far as his short sight
and the dark room revealed; and, steal
ing up behind her, he bent down ard
treated himself and herself-in such
cases it's generally mutual treat, is it
not, reader?-to hearty smack Me-
linda turned with shrill scream.
ooh, oh, Sykes" she faltered, hiding
her face.
Jeremiah's arm went speedily around
her waist, his courage rising Immediate
ly.
"Yuu amt mad, are you? Don't you
really love me Miss Simpson,"
''Lore you?" echoed Melinda; 'oh,
jeremiah! love you now, and I'll love
you foreverl Yon may claim my-my
hand whenever you please"
"I declare l never loved anybody so
before" protested the happy swain;
"give me kiss, my angel, to make GER
tain"
His fqncee obeyed with alacrity, and
Jeremiah at last rose to go.
"When will you come again, Jerry?"
his lady-love asked.
81 shall be away to town few days
after ring and things. And don't tell
anybody we're engaged yet a while,
with slight lingering trepidation.
81 hear and obeyp was the meek re-
sponse, "and you won't-won't" twist
ing one of his coat buttons-"let any of
your city friends win"
"No one shall win me from youw ex-
claim Jeremiah, $50 make haste for the
weddingw
II kReW l attracted himp Melinda
exclaimed as the door closed behind
him. "Won't the girls be mad, though,
when they know it,"
jeremiah walked home, feeling toler
ably comfortable.
"It's sure, now! But if l didn't for
get her name again. / must get her to
open the shutters so can see better.
At evening the other sisters got home,
and Jerusha summond her Abigail.
"Was Mr.. Sykes here to-day, Betsy?"
The usual plunge forward served as
answer.
"Did he come in?'
Another plunge.
"Did he stay long?"
Little while"
"Hoping against hope, no. doubt!'
murmured Jerusha, and Betsey depart
ed, not feeling called upon to volunteer
any information.
For several days Alvina noticed an
anxiety on the part of her sisters which
they vainly strove to hide. Jerusha,
especially, grew alarmed at her lovers
absence, and doubts of his constancy
and visions of "breach Of promise" suits
haunted her disturbed fancies, while Me-
! linda for a while bore her lovers absence
with great equanimity, but as it grew
prolonged became nervous in her turn.
| Finally, the two sisters had another call
from home, leaving Alvina in charge Of
the house, and each one sought her with
the identical request:
"If Mr.. Sykes, or any one"-the ''any
one" to lull suspicion-'calls for me,
tell them I'll be home by evening"
Alvina assented; but when alone gave
her head a contemptuous toss.
"Mr. Sykes's visit won't be for you. l
guess some one else is the attraction
herep
| Late that afternoon Alvina, from the
parlor window, saw Jeremiah leave his
gate, and actually enter hersi She gave
her hands one ecstatic clasp, and pres
emily, admitted by Sally, Jeremiah once
more faced his destiny, but entirely be-
reft, during his short absence, of every
spark of courage or confidence.
"Good afternoon, Mr.. Sykess!" smiled
Alvina; "did you come to see me?"
"Well, no-yes-I-"a and Jeremiah
collapsed into a chair, "I-think didr
"Don't- be reserved, Mr.. Sykes" en-
couraged Alvina, "tell me how I can
serve your.
"Are-you-sure," said jeremiah,
with sickly smile, "that you let me
understand-"
Understand what, Mr.. Sykes?" quer
led Alvina, blushing.
. "That you entertained a willingness.
, to become-become--"
"Could refuse you, JEREMIAH" saic
e Miss Alvina, with ready comprehension
Y "Well-no," stammered our hero
7 'you're the idal of my heart, and"
"Is, eh? and that you call honorable
: conduct" broke upon the lovers ears
j as Melinda and Jerusha, unexpected,
= returned, burst into the room.
: "'Love me better than any one elsep
IS screamed Jerusha.
i "Never loved anybody so beforep
) shrieked Melinda.
g "'Don't say anything about itp-yo
: deceiving wretchp' vociferated Jerusha
"'Keep it secreti"-you unfaithfu
/" scoundrel" exploded Melinda.
e; "Don't care for anyone elsep chime
If in Alvina, suddenly enlightened.
l. "I-don't-nnderstan faltered Jel
" emiah; "what-have-I done?"
"You told me was your only love!
a, exclaimed Jerusha.
! "You asked me to become Mrs. Sykes
1t added Melinda.
re "You said / was the idol of yOr
Ig heartr" affirmed Alvina.
"I-I think you must be mistaken i
II dies / OnIy-"