Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-06-23

wheat--haven't they-so it'll hardly pay
for reaping?"
Just So" assented Mr.. Wigei1, dis
comfited. He had not travelled five miles
in the heat to discuss the state of the
crops.
walk in and sit down. won't you?"
said Dolly with reluctant hospitality Her
apron was crammed to its utmost capac-
ftp. She devoutly wished it had been
larger.
well. yes, I don't care il do. :
answered Mr.. Wiggin, after a bypocriiicai
show Of hesitancy. Il had little bust
ness further on at the blacksmifh's. No
hurry, though. az I know Of and he
turned to let down the bars for Miss Dol
Iy, who meanwhile slipped through the
fence. catnip and all. BLESS my heart !.
don't see but you are as smart as you
ever was,'' said he. admiringly, as he
pulled along in her wake. '.Still you
must get into years Dolly, as well as /
no offence, hope-and | was wondering
whether or no it wasn't lonesome for YOU
to live alone here woman so?
oh, | never was one Of the lonesome
kind" responded Miss Dolly, briskly.
seating her guest in the patchwork cush-
Toned rockiDg-chair. land. for that mat
ter, hardly day passes without some Of
James folks running in
Yes, know: but if you was to change
your situation wouldn't you enjoy life bet
ter. think?''
Miss Dolly fidgeted at the green paper
curtains and intimated that her happiness
would he complete if the grasshoppers
would stop feeding on her garden sauce.
That's Just it, continued Mr.. Wig
gin. eagerly .'yOu do seem to need
man To look out for your farming interests,
now don't you. Dolly, IA man that will be
ready and willing to do for you. and make
YOU comfortable
II don't know" said Miss Dolly, drily.
The year father died did have Silas Pot
ter, and he is the most faithful creature
living but what with the extra cooking
and washing had to do for him. my work
was about double, and when mud-time
came was glad enough 10 send him off
and hire by the day. made up my mind
that men folks cost more than they come
to"
II guess we don't understand one anoth
er, Dolly" said Mr.. Wiggin. slightly dis
concerted at this unflattering view of his
sex. Il wasn't speaking of hiring help.
Dolly. Naturally You would get tired of
that. It's worth to a woman. But it you
was to have companion now-one that
could give You good home, with wood
and water under cover
.'Shoo. shoo'' cried Miss Dolly. flying
out after an inquiring chicken on the door
step.
Mr.. Wiggin drew his red handkerchief
from his hat to wipe his glowing face.
Certainly lie had not felt the heat so bad
through having.
..Ilow's YOUR health now -a-days?" asked
Dolly. frisking back with look of reso-
lutte unconciousness.
Very good remarkably good, don't
know where YOU will find a man with II
tougher constitution than have got"
"Ah," and Dolly blushed like a sumac
in October.
Yes, I'm WELL" pursued Mr.. Wiggin,
perseverincly land I'm tolerable well-to
do, with nothing to hinder my marrying
again. providing can sec woman to my
mind
There's the deacon's widow sug-
gested Miss Dolly ofliciously ''she's pious
economical
''She's lett with means enough to carry
her through Handsomely. interrupted Mr..
Wiggin quickly. Now Id rather have a
wife to provide ior-one that needed u
home. in fact Dolly. have my eye on q
little woman want this minute
lie had both eyes on her. for that mat
ter. and miss Dolly was forced to recog-
nize the situation. whether she accepted it
or not.
1--we managed to sweeten my own tea
so far. David. without calling upon my
neighbors." chirruped she. stopping to lay
straight the braids OF the mat. land l
might as well keep on. don't feel it a
tax as some folks would. But there's
Martha Dunning; she's having hard
time to get along. Why don't you take
her, David9 She'd appreciate such nice
home rs yours"
at would seem as though most any
woman might" said Mr.. Wiggin in an in
iured tone; "all finished off complete,
painted outside and in
"She'd be delighted with it. I'm sure of
it." broke in Miss Dolly. with an air of
conviction. as she darted into the kitchen
to lift the boiling kettle from the crane.
But you don't mean that you wont
marry me. Dolly" pleaded Mr.. Wiggin.
anxiously following her to the door. II
have been dotin' on seem YOU at the head
of things at my house."
Martha is grand manager" said
Miss Dolly. coolly. David needn't think
he can buy me with new set of buildings.' =
she added, mentally. swapping down the
lid of the pug-nosed teapot. II never did
have the pane of being cropping"
II tell you, Dolly, wont have Martha
don't like her turn" cried Mr. Wiggin.
testify balancing himself on the threshold.
yet not daring to step over it.
Miss Dolly gave her undivided attention
to winging the hearth.
You know you was always the woman
of my choice, Dolly" pursued Mr.. Wig
gin. rs tenderly as he could consistently
with the distance between. "And when we
were both young"
'.Pshaw" ~ snapped Dolly. scorching her
wing. that's beyond the memory of
man.
Mr.. Virgins position was becoming
painful. Miss Dolly was not to be won by
the attractions of wealth and position, nor
even by tender delusions of the past. He