The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1880-11-04

P1l1S, W1aPpeu up III Deautltul aQVer-
tisement.
Toward evening, few days later, Guy
came to see her again, and pursuaded her
to walk out IN the little lane that ran be-
hind the Finch's house.
He did not talk about himself, but dis
cussed the arrangements for picnic in
which they were interested. AS he was
leaving her, however, "Old Gifford,'' he
observed, "has been seen about here late
ly.'
4The dearl'' said Bertha, provokingly.
sHow sorry I was to miss his call!''
aDld you:' Guy chimed in, sympathet-
ically. 81 wonder if 1t wouldn't be de-
sirable tor me to become acquainted
with such delightful mana He might
improve me IN your eyes,"
"Oh, yes, he would do yoa ever so
much good.'' she assured him.
I'll be on the lookout for him. said
the young man, cheertully. Good night"
BE sauntered down the lane towards
the woods, and Bertha remained stand
ing under the apple tree where he
had lett her, enjoying the rising sunset
light. Thus employed, and idly pulling
to peices a bolt of grass, she did not no.
tice the approach Of another person, un-
TIL an aged voice close by her, hailed her
with, 'sGood- evening, Miss Finch, SEEM
ing almost to prolong Atlee's "Good-
night" which was still in her ears.
1t was Clifford.
She turned her head and greeted him
with decided GOODNESS.
ssGlad to see ye at last,' he continued
sitting down on stone. cts awful
warm And he removed his felt hat, to
sponge out the interior carefully with a
bandana which he produced for the pur.
pose. "Dii you get those pillsg First
rate to brace up with this weather. Good
for lassitude, rheumatism, govt, neuralgy,
headache but ] suppose you read the
bill9''
mo, I haven't yet. = announced Bertha,
with threatening breyity.
SNOW that disappoints me-" said Git
ford. You don't know their virtues.
Why, my second wife, she couldn't get
along without them.''
"Horrld old wretch!" commented his
listener, internally, and proceeded aloud /:
ssYou mean they saved her life2''
s'Yes, yes" returned the dealer, DELHI
erately, 'sthey did-as long as she ived.''
swell, mine is pretty we'll saved with
out them,'' said the girl; ssand ANYWAY I
don't have those troubles that you men
ton. So don't think need the pills"
"Not just now, maybe" Clifford adj
mitted "but then you won't always be
SO young as you ale now, and your bound
to have rheumatism. You'll be an old
woman before you know it, and an ounce
Of preventation's worth pound Of cure"
81 think I'll watt said Bertha, find
ing her venerable idol very repulsive on
this second interview; 1and If you'll ex-
.cuse me now, Mr.. Clifford. must go into
the house.
ITO get the box2'' he inquired. Gail
right. But wish you'd wait minute.
I've got something particular to say to
you
Something particulara''
Eyes. Thinking of that young Atlee,
81 made some inquiring, and, as far as I
could see, you are the young lady"
''What young lady? Anyway, Mr.. Atlee
has come back now.
ooh yes. know that. But you never
fancied him much and I guess he don't
stand In the way.
81 don't understand what you're talk
ing about.
That's just what I've come to now,".
said Clifford. uI'm sort Of lonely, but
I've got some property laid by, and I'm
looking around for wife. What do you
say to met"
aYou! I think you are horrible
Bertha cred, frankly. IAN old, old
man like you, that's been married twice,
looking tor a wlfe!'' She recoiled in
voluntarily.
ssThere's nothing like an old fellow
that knows his own mind, and the ways
Of the world" he argued. Then sudden
ly-Bertha could hardly believe it true
he dropped on his knees. "Won't you
have me2" he entreated.
She moved toward the house, RAPIDLY,
as ii escaping from hideous sight.
'sStop! stop!'' cried the ancient sutton.
in remarkably vigorous voice. sslf
you do that, I'll tear all my hair OUT
Something in the tone arrested Bertha
Finch's flight, and she looked around.
At the same instant, the anomalous old
man, standing up very tall, flung his en-
stood revealed, felt hat in hand, as Guy
Atlee!
sShe covered her face in confusion, but
both Of them burst into hearty laugh
the next instant, as he advanced toward
her. s'This is more foolish than my dis
appearance, Guy was confessing. abut
the temptation was too great. Are you
angry2"
ut was you all the timer demanded
she, still slightly bewildered.
ssOf course. The real Clifford died
couple Of years ago. That day in the
train was just going to get out here to
try my experiment, when / saw you at
the depot, and you walked right in to sit
down next to me-.
Bertha turned hot and cold as she ran.
over the car conversation in her mind, to