The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1878-06-12

Three times, while they stood on the plat
form waiting for the train, he made 9espsr
ate efforts to say what he wanted to, OUT he
culdn'to
At last the train came in sight
Mrs. Stafford, wish you'd tell me some
thing before you co." he began, pale rs a
ghost, and then stopped, with his tongue
cleaving to the roof of hlsmouth.
We'll, what Is it?'' she asked.
"I-Ive been waiting to tell you for some
time" he stammered, blowing his nose and
coughing terribly in a vain effort to hide his
Embarrassment.
well, hurry. then" said the widow. "Pll
be left IL you don't"
Poor Craig opened his mouth to speak the
terrible words. The bell rang, as he stood
with glaring eyes and finally burst out;
''You'll be left If you don't hurry"
With look of disgust, the widow gath
cred her skirts about her and left him with
out deignipg to say good-by.
'I declare, it you ANITA little the biggest
fool, Joshua Craig, OF any l ever heard OIL!
he told himself as he drove back. You've
put your foot in it this timel"
He couldn't go home, for all he was
ashamed 10 face the widow. So he stayed,
and she came back and bswitched him more
than ever, and he vowed he would propose
or die in the attempt He felt quite sure 1t
would be die
One night he was out pretty late. When
he came home he didn't stop to get light,
but felt his way to what he supposed was his
bed room.
He sat down to pull off his boots. Sud
denly his hand came in contact with pair
of ladies' CATERS on the floor.
Goodness cried Mr.. Craig; who's put
these here?'
A sound of life from the direction of the
bed Something white rose up and con-
| fronted him.
who's there?" demanded he, half fright
ened to death.
"Why, Mr.. Craigp' cried the voice of the
widow. "How dare you come into my room
at this time of night? L thought you were a
gentleman. Dear! dearl" and then the
| widow began to cry.
Mr.. Craig's hair rose up like "quills upon
| the fretful pOrcupine." he could actually
feel how pale be was.
| 'Mercv ON me-" he managed to calculate
| 'I-I didn't know that L was in anybody's
room but my own. didn'tl-I declare, by
all that's good and great, that didn't"
81 don't know whether to believe that or
| not" answered the widow, with smothered
sobs. "Men don't often make such mistakes
unintentionally. 1 thought l could trust
| you and that you were too honorable to
| take advantage of my unprotected situation
| Dear mel what would people say if they
| knew of this? I'm going to call your sister.
Pm going to let the world know what a
/ wretch you arep
90 don'tr' cried Mr.. Craig, with.a world OF
entreaty in his tones. A desperate thought
flashed across his brain. Before he stopped
| to consider what the consequences might be,
| he had given it utterance. 1t was his last
resort-his forlorn hope.
IL came to-propose to you" he de-
clared explosivelY. Il didn't dare to ask
you by daylight and l took this way!'
81 don't know whether to put any de-
| pendence in what YOU say or not said the
| widow, pausing in her sobs. You men
deceive us sol I'm afraid you're taking this
way of getting rid of be ng exposed. Ii
| thought you were"
"I ain'tp' stoutly asserted Mr. Craig, be-
ginning to feel slight increase of courage.
"I-rve wanted TOTO ask you to h-have
me for some time, but d-iassen't. I'm
marry you any time you say, if you won't
mention this. l will; really, If you w-want
| me to-"
"If could be sure you were in earnest,
said the widow, waveringly.
81 am | hope to die this blessed minute
if L ain't!" declared the poor man. Say
yes. quick, if you're going to. II want 10
go and see a man."
We'll, then-yesr' said the widow, and
Mr.. Craig bol.ed for the door, an engaged
man.
There, you old fool" he apostropbized
himself, as he reached his own room at last
you've done it, haven't you? You've put
your foot in it this time, and l hope you're
satisfedr'
He didn't sleep any that night. He won
dered if all men felt as he did when they
were engaged. He was dresding the morn
ing and the widow.
He went down to breakfast with quaking
heart. He saw the widow come into the
room, all smiles and bushes, and looked
about in a vain longing to hide. He felt an
awful sinking at his heart when -she came
and sat down beside him, and his sister rose
up and came toward them. He felt what wa:
coming.
Pm so glad" said Alvira, kissing tbs
widow. when is it to be, brother?'
"W-what?" asked the poor man. beginning
to realize how helpless he was to avert i'm
pending doom.
why, the wedding, of course" said AL
vira. "Of course you won't put 1t off Longer
than two weeks. We can have everything
ready by that time"
''r'taint for me to say" be said, meekly
''If It's got TO be done, the sooner the bet
ter" and then be wiped his face and won
dered if he would be living two weeks from
that day.
Two years have gone, and he still lives III,
is just forming the acquaintance of little
Craig, and he copgratulates himself daily OF
| the mistake which made married man o
him.
Dried Fruifs