The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1875-02-04

i
to offer himself to be accepted at once
and she be glad Of the opportunity.
But there was incentive to immediate
action. There was q chance-it npsgh,
hsppen-that the widow, being ignoran,
of the 'Squire's intentions, might possibly
throw herself away on Mr.. Grimp? The
Squire did not like the thought, and as
above intimated he resolved to serve the
writ nd "pop the question" at the same
time. He would not delay about the mat
ter either. He would do it that very
evening-that he would; and then see
the longitude MIR. Grimp's face would
assume. The idea pleased him greatly.
He chuckled over it all through the day
chuckled over it on his way home in the
spersed themselves throughout the meal,
much 10 the wonderment of the old
housekeeper. Indeed, her looks be-
tokened so much curiosity that the
Squire noticed it at last, and after he had
swallowed the last morsel and laid down
his knife and fork he said:
Mrs. Crandal, Pm goin' to git mar
ried"
swell, now, rally" exclaimed the old
woman, almost dropping the tea-cups in
surprise. MAY be SO proud as to ask
who she may beg"
widow Barney"
What! Widder Barney? Sakes, now
When ye goin' to be married."
don't know yet; haven't asked her.
Coin to do it, though, tonight"
"Mebbe she won't have ye," observed
Mrs Crandal, rather doubtfully.
"Won't have. me? Me!-'Squire But
terfields" exclaimed the Squire, surprised
out of all measure at so extraordinary a
suggestion. I'D like to see the woman
that wouldn't jest jump at the chance
jest jump at the chancew
dunno" said the old woman, shak-
ing her head with mournfal credulity;
these ere widders are very onsartin-
specially the young ones-an' there's no
teliin' what they'll do. Sides, there's
that young lawyer, Tom HARDWOOD, SEEM
her about a good deal"
con, that amounts to nothin'," said the
Squire, cOmplacently. "He boards at
her house, an takes her to meetin' an
singin'-schOolj jest out of politeness
Mrs. Crandal made no further remark,
but proceeded to gather up the dishes,
and the Squire went to his room to
gather himself into his Sunday clothes
He decided not to call too early upon
the widow, lest she might not be ready
for visitors, and therefore he delayed un-
til the clock struck the hour of nine
then tall hat, drab trousers, a blue,
brass buttoned "swallOw-tail," an over
coat-and Squire Butterfield contained
somewhere wilhin-passedo out to the road.
1t was clear, cold, moonlight night, no
one was out on the street, and the bright
hOme-lights from various windows shone
upon face assured and possessed as he
moved along. No faint heart" to "win
fair lady" did he carry! Not at all. But
with firm, confident step he passed over
the crisp, well-trodden snow that creaked
loudly under his feet.
1t was not a very long walk and he
soon reached his destination. The wild
owls house was small two story frame,
quite back from the road, and surrounded
by forest of shIubbery and fruit trees.
From the gate path wound up to the
house under these trees, and the Squire
had to move cautiously, as the moon gave
but faint light through the foliage.
He reached the house safely, however,
and glanced up at the second story, the
corner room of which was used by the
widow IS sittin groom. He saw it was
we'll lighted, the windOw-curtains not yet
down, and he was about turning toward
the door when some One-a man-came to
the window and looked out. For the
first time the Squire paused irresolutely.
Who was that man? Was it Grimp-and
had he got the start of him after all? He
didn't wish to see Mr. Grimp-at least,
not then and there. He stepped back a
little to get better view, and waited for
the face to appear again. But it did not.
Then he moved round to the end of the
house and looked up at the window on
that side, but with no better result. If
he only knew who the man was; knew
certainly it was not Mr.. Grinp, he would
be satisfied. His eye rested on the low
back-kitchen, directly below the end
window. If he was only on that he
could look into the room unobserved by
anyone. 1t could do no harm, either;
and he did SO wish to know who that
man was!
The more the Squire thought about it
the more convinced was he that it was
Mr.. Grimp-but then, maybe it wasn't.
He soould find out! He became more res
Olute then, and looked about for some aid
to his purpose. This, after some search,
he found in a small ladder, which he
placed against the kitchen and began to
ascend. He got up the ladder without
trouble, but found the roof so coated
with ice that he had to move with ex-
IRENE caution. However, the window
was reached at last, and, looking in, he
saw only the widow and Tom Harwood
sitting by the fire.
"There!" muttered the Squire in dis.
gust, after making this discovery; Il
never thought of him! Why in Sam Hill
didn't remember he was here, and
saved all this trouble? Nearly spilled
my best clothes, too!'
He turned about and was preparing to
60 back, when movement down in the
shrubbery arrested his attention and
downward progress at the same time. For
minute or two he remained perfectly
still then he peered carefully over the
roofs edge. He saw man standing be
low among the trees, but who he was the
Squire couldn't make out. Howbeit,
whoever he might he, he seemed to be
scanning the upper front window very
closely. Indeed, this view did not seem
to satisfy him. and like his illustrious
predecessor" he, too, passed round back
of the little kitchen. The Squire became
alarmed. He would be discovered now
certainly! What should he do? He
glanced about hopelessly until he caught
sight of the chimney-a large, old fash
Toned one, running up from the kitchen
close against and on the outside of the
main building. With quick movement
he scrambled to his feet into the shadow
of its deep corner and stood close against
the wall.
Maybe" he thought, 1.-THE man will
go way pretty soon, confound him!'
But the stranger seemed in no hurry to
leave; on the contrary he moved about q
few minutes and then, to the consterna-
ton of our friend On the roof, he began TO
ascend the ladder. If ever Squire But
terfield perspired IN his life he did then.
Although it was cold night he was in a
profuse sweat from head to foot. He
gritted his teeth, clenched mis- hands, bit
his lips until the blood came, but never
theless the iatruder made his way slowly
bat surely up the slippery incline. ~
Goodness gracious! What in Sam
Hill shall l dor" murmured the Squire
in his desperate fear. I'd give ANYTHING.