The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1882-05-12

have half enough to eat" said Mrs.
Phlox calmly.
Mrs. Appledore sobbed aloud. What
dopeople say about me? What shall l
do?" she cried.
"They don't say nothin' yet o'ny that
you're dreadful FOOLISH" chirped her
sister, rising and putting on her calash.
for it was almost supper time. Il can't
say as I know of anything for you to do
except to tell Mr.. Smith to stay t'home.
'Taint likely Deacon Bliss will give you
a chance to say yes a second time"
There had been a good deal OF pleas
urable excitement in receiving the visits
of the Professor. To dress herself in her
best mourning and to sing her favorite
songs to an appreciative listener had
been something to look forward to during
the humdrum work of the day. The
thought, however, of what her acquaint-
tances were saying about her embittered
her life, and when the Professor again
called one glance at her face told him
that she knew all.
''Dear Mrs. Appledore," he began,
but she checked him.
"You had better 90 home to your
wife, Mr.. Smith," she said coldly.
Tears, real tears, came into the Pro-
fessor's big blue eyes. "But Hove you,"
he cried, land she has always been an
incubus upon my SOUL"
"But she's your wife," persisted Mrs.
Appledore.
II know it," moaned the Professor,
rubbing his brow distractedly. 1T eats
out my vituals when think of it. She
don't feel as l feel. There's no wings
for me as long as I am tied to her.
We've no affinity"
Mrs. Appledore gazed at him in dull
wonder. These were almost the words
she had used to her sister, but they did
not sound pleasantly now.
al love you, Rosetta" went on the
little man approaching her, "but want
to ask one question: Were l single
man would you marry me?''
81 might" admitted the widow.
smoothing down fold in her overskirt
with trembling hand.
"Enough!' and the Professor flung
his arms about her and pressed a rap
turous kiss upon her forehead. ..Bless
you, my darlingr' and before she could
answer him he was gone.
The next evening when Mrs. Apple
dore was taking down her washing from
the line she was suddenly clasped from
behind by a pair of strong arms. "You
will soon be mine," said the voice of the
Professor. "rve offered my wife fifty
dollars to leave me, and she has &C.
cepted."
s.Acceptedr' the widow cried, wrench
ing herself free.
Eyes, and as soon as I can sell my
book she shall 90. I've lived in soul iso-
lation long enough. My heart has found
its mate.f
All the men that Mrs. Appledore knew
were quaint of speech and somewhat rus
tic in manner, but what they consid-
cred duty controlled their lives. "You
wretch!" she cried, dashing the clothes
pin basket at him. FIFTY dollars! You
amt worth fifty cents. Go home and
never dare to speak to me again!'
''Hear me-" he pleaded, catching hold
of her gown.
II can't stay out here and listen to
philanderin' talk" she answered reso-
lutely, and twitching her dress from his
grasp she entered the house. But the
Professors hand was upon the latch.
Like most little women, the widow was
a curious mixture of timidity and cour-
age. She flung the door open. "Don't
you dare to come in?' she cried. "rll
throw hot water on you! rll-rn kill
your Then slamming the door in his
face she bolted it securely.
All the evening the Professor paced
up and down Mrs. Appledore's back
veranda. The next evening he again
appeared, and the next, and the widow
alarmed sent the bravest
twin out the front way with note to
her brother-in-law.
Mr.. Phlox delighted in anything that
could be called proceedings, and in a
few minutes he had the deputy sheriff
and two constables and went marching
down the principal street with them to
the great delight of all the small boys
of the village. 1t was impossible for the
Professor to escape. The officers crept
around the house noiselessly. The sheriff
collared him, the constables pinioned his
arms. Mr.. Phlox grabbed him by the
coat tails and away he was walked to the
village lookup.
Mrs. Appledore passed a sleepless
night. She imagined the whole town
was wide awake and discussing her, and
long before daybreak she had resolved
to sell her home and Dixville bank stock
and move West. "Pve got my come
she groaned. "rve always
been romantic and wanted a romance
such as I've read about, an I've had
one. 0, dear! o, dearr'
About eight o'clock in the morning
there came lively rap at the kitchen
door, and unstung by excitement and
lack of sleep, she shrieked aloud.
sony me. O'ny Deacon Bliss" cried
. pleasant voice through the keyhole.
Mrs. Appledore slid back the bolt with
fingers. ''How thankful 1
am,'' she said, holding out her hand,
81 feel so in need of somebody"
"'Twas fortinet come along jes' as
did then," said the Deacon, taking off |
his straw hat and slowly rubbing his |
face with his ample bandans. It
was shrewd though benevolent face,
framed in waves Of iron.0rav hair