The Red Cloud chief., 1880-03-18
Sand has he really proposed TO you.

SoustB EsupucNuiaF
"why, yes, dear-more than q dozc
times; at least, he has done wha
amounts to the same thing. He has be
gun TO say he had something 10 tell me
and would have gone right on and mad
a full declaration OF his love il | had no
stopped him. You know one doesn'
like 10 hear the whole Of a good story a
once. When he has attempted to opel
his heart 10 me on that subject, / hav
always kissed him good-by OF good
night, and glided out Of the room. 10,
know, Cousin Arilda, that a man, wheI
in love, is always held more surely b,
allowing him to think that he is doin,
the most Of the counting"
The day and hour Of Elder Sanford
departure had come, and descendin,
from his room he entered the parlor
where sat Mrs. Lemons, her husband
and their three half-grown children
ready to enact the solemn and affecting
formality Of parting with their guest
Of course the widow was there also
and TO her the parting would be some
thing more than a formality.
81 suppose said the widow to he,
cousin, speaking soto uOce, "that the
Elders manner in parting from me viii
be rather more affecting than ought Ia
be witnessed by the children. Ii would
be well, | think, to let them bid him
good-sy, and then withdraw from tEe
ROOM"
That timely hint was taken, and the
Juvenile part Of the farewell perform.
ance was soon over, greatly TO the
delight of the children.
Every thing being now ready, the
Elder, rising to his feet, proceeded to
utter his farewell address. He dwelt
with solemn and affecting earnestness
upon the many kind attentions he had
received during his two weeks ~sojourn
AT the house of the Lemons. The great
size and delicate flavor Of the strawber-
ries was particularly mentioned, so very
unlike the little berries that grew in his
meadow, and were picked by his chill
dren.
"To you, my dear Mrs. Fluskey;'
and at the mention Of her name the
widow rose, and assumed a picturesque
attitude at his side; "to you l have
something special to say" And at this
the widow drew still nearer, and rested
on the arm of the elder. "You have
lately experienced religion, and will
never, | hope, be led astray any more
by the pOmps and vanities of the world.
But there is, Widow Fluskey, a matter
of considerable importance to me, which
| have been intending 10 mention 81
you, and have several times attempted
a. -. - al. IL. l-.-, III
nearer, and rested her head on his
shoulder.
"My dear wife, as l have told you,''
continued Elder Sanford, "departed
this life only thirteen months ago." and
the widows eyes, swimming with love,
were raised to the face Of her compan-
ion. "Some people thought it very
strange that ] should determine to get
married again when my wife had been
dead only ten months"
"YOu married again." said the
widow, starting suddenly back, and
throwing herself on the sofa. "lou
married? married? Oh! oh! cousin,
bring me some camphori Oh! this great
ball in my throat, just like a puff ball!
I'm dying, Arilda. I'm 50 glad I've not
received any presents from this mani"
"There is some misunderstanding in
this" said the Elder. 81 have not
said"
"Let me get out of his sight"
moaned the widow. "Take me to my
ROOM, Arilda, Mono, don't offer me
your hand, you old hypocrite! It's well
for you that the conference is over, or
I'd have you brought up before it for
making love 10 me-and you a married
man! Don't let him stay here in your
house another moment, cousin Arilda!"
Better take Mrs. Fluskey TO her
room, my DEAR" said Mr.. Lemons to his
wife. 81 will remain with the Elder"
The two men alone soon came Il a
mutual understanding in regard to the
whole matter.
81 am not married." said the Elder.
"What | was about to say was nothing
more than that | determined to get
married about four months ago, and at
that time became engaged to a lady
near where l live, and to whom l expect
t. be married within the next month.
That is the whole story, my dear Mr..
Lemons;' and with this explanation the
Elder passed out and was soon on the
sidewalk and off.
u shall have a wife with me when |
come to the next conference" was the
Elders reflection as he moved rapidly
away and turned the first corner he
came to.
But he was safe enough. The widow
was not on his track, but was in her
- -
ic fit, at the same time cursing the Elder
in terms that gave a to fear she had
fallen from grace.
The Widow Fluskey's obituary, writ
ten twenty years later, was satisfactory
on the score Of piety and good behavior
in general, and contained no allusion to
that little episode; while the name on
her tombstone showed clearly that her
much desired fifth husband was still
4 prospective one.-Demorest's Monthly.