Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1880-10-07

y
Jones, he dashed down stairs without his
hat. elbowed his way through the eXpectant
crowd, his round face purple with rage.
and his bare bald head shining. With as
much alacrlty as Peter could boast he
leaped the low fence, disdaning the little
wicker gate, and reached the interesting
pair with three long strides. With his open
palm he struck Tom singing blow on the
car that sent the young rascal half way
across the yard. At this critical moment
who should open the door Lut Miss Nancy
herself, in neat morning wrapper, an eX-
preston of surprise on her still handsome
face. The look of horror with which the
old bachelor regarded first her and then her
double was ludicrous in the extreme.
Good morning. Mr.. Ponsby!" she said,
with dignity. Then, noticing the queer
looking figure that confronted her, she
raised both hands in surprise. ''My sun
bonnet I" she exclaimed. ''Who has dared
To put it on the top of my oleander?" And
with deft fingers she undid the fastenngs
of the three garments and threw them aside,
disclosing TO view a beautiful oeander tree
exactly her own height. "Ah! Tom Jones
this has been your work, F" she said, espy-
ing that crest fallen individual slowly pick
ing himself up from bed of tulips.
The mingling of shrill laughter at the
gate called Miss Nancy's attention to The
fact that the villagers had called upon her
in body. Her thin cheek flushed little,
but she addressed them coolly:
"Will you walk in, my friends, and as
sure yourselves that it is | !" But, seeing
them about to disperse, she added, as Il
parting thrust. II am sorry to have been
the innocent cause, for even once, of you
ladies neglecting your morning work. AS
for you, Mr.. Ponsby," she added, without
looking at him, you are welcome lack 10
Bitterville; but did you know the town as
well as do, you would not share its idle
curiosity"
''lt was not curiosity that brought me
here" stammered the old bachelor; it
was"
But Tom Jones stepped forward, hold
ing his brimless hat with both hands while
he made his best bow.
'Look here, Miss Nancy, it was me that
put that job up on yer. didn't mean no
harm. Jest wanted a lark. | seen that
funny lookin' thing a swingin' around every
time the wind blowed. knowcd what it
was, for | seen you wrappin' it up last
night, and comm, thinks | TO myself, all
il needs is a bonnet TO make woman out II
it > and rs good or bad luck would have
it, | spotted your hangin on the back
porch. SO jest hoped over about an
hour ago, got it, and chucked it on top the
shawl jest for a lark. Then, seem how
well it took, thinkin' might make little
spec, bet my last nickel that | could come
up and hug yer, meanin' the bush, begin
yer pardon. Sam Dunkin he took me up,
and when l was here squeezln' it gentle
likes, SOS not to press 1t out o. shape, MIR
Ponsby he come up, and knocked me down
for my impudence, as gentleman should.
During this recital Miss Nancy's counte-
nance changed considerably, and at its
conclusion rare smile broke over her thin
lips.
"Well. Tom," said she, 81 am much
Obliged to you for your honesty, If for moth
ing else. | know it must have looked very
odd, but it was dark when covered it first
with the cloak, then, fearing the top leaves
might be exposed, | threw the shawl over
as an extra protection. | thought if it was
well wrapped up could risk it outside,
for 1t has grown too heavy for me to lift 1t
in and out alone"
There was a plalntive dropping of her
voice oh the last word, and she glanced up
shyly at Peter Pon3by, and held out one
slim, labor stained hand
LAS for you, sir, she said, II thank you
for your courtesy, and wish you very good
morning."
But when Peter Ponsby held in his two
big, strong ones the little hands tina: he had
coveted 80 many years, the hand that had
repelled and yet held HIM, and was true to
him by Withholding itself from any other,
he would not let it 90.
ooh Nan!' he said in q broken voice.
''Let me keep this now and forever. | will
lift the oleander and all your other burdens.
know now our enstrangement was caused
by idle gossip. We were not to blame.
We have wasted twenty years of the better
part of our lives; shall We throw away the
balance?"
Miss Nancy stood with dowrcas eyes
and flushing checks, until low whistle
called her attention to the gaping mouth
and quizzical eyes of Tom Jones.
''Toln," she said, suddenly, "did you
get your stakes?"
mo, by thunder. That sneakin' Bill
Kerr has gone off with both tickets" And
taking the hint, Tom was out of sight in
few seconds.
But, before hunting up the mscreant,
he went from house to house in the village,
announcing the fact that he had '1eft the
old boy and gal in a confidential confab."
The result of that confidence was made
known four weeks from that day, when
bride and groom, no longer in the heydayof
youth, stood up in the village church, and
repeated the vows they had plighted and
broken twenty years before.
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