The Worthington advance., 1882-05-11
The town tslk?" echoed her astonished

\ wv
tom Of this an sez he, Emma Jane,
think you'd BETTER an the first thing he did
the next mornin' was to hitch up an take
me over on the mile. strip where that fellow
lives in Tony Allerson's cottage. He wasn't
in. but she was, an she was washin'.
I'm Miss Phlox, 'seZ I. anil come to CALL
Thank you.' sez she I'm Miss Smith. an
she set out the only chair there was in the
room for me, an set herself down on the
wash bench.
"'Air you Miss st. Clair Smith, the wife
nf tke professor, sez I.
"A sort OF smile twinkled over her mouth
an she sez. Eyes, Miss St. Clair Smith,
though didn't know Mr.. Smith had adopt
ed the st. Clair name. That's my family
name.' An then she went on an spoke OF
her husband. an Of how ambitious he Is,
an how he feels his spear in public life,
an how she is willin' to do anything to
help him. An then she inquired if
thought she could git sewin' in Dixville
when she was able to do it,"
Mrs. Appledore's eyes as her sister speke.
rs Mrs. Smith good looking? Is she an
interesting woman?" she asked.
Il can't ray how interesting she Is. She
seemed kind Of trod on, so to speak. As
fox looks she amt any prettier than you'd
be II you worked hard an didn't get enough
to eat, said Mrs. Phlox calmly.
Mrs. Appledore eobhed sloud. "Wnat
do people say about me? What shall I
do2" she cried.
They don't say nothin' yet, on'y that
you're dreadful foolish" chirped her Sis
ter, rising and putting on her oalash, for it
was almost supper time. Il can't say as
know Of any thing for you to do except to
tell Mr.. Smith to stay t'home. 'Taint like
ly Deacon Bliss will give you chance to
say yes q secor d time.
There had been a good deal OF pleas
ureable excitement in receiving the visits
of the Professor. To dress herself in her
best mourning, and to sing her favorite
songs to an appreeiative listener had been
something to look forward to during the
hundrum work OF the day. The thought,
however. Of what her acquaintance were
sa, ing about her embittered her life. and
when the professor again called one glance
at her f.cs told him she knew al.
Dear Mrs. Appledore, he began, but
she checked him.
"You had better 90 homo to your wife,
Mr.. Smith, she said oddly.
Tears, real tears, came into the profess
sos's big blue eyes. But love you" he
bus upon my SOUL"
"But she's your wife," persisted Mrs.
Appledore.
Il know it," moanea the Professor, rub
bing his brow distractedly. 1T eats out my
vitals when think Of it. She don't feel as
l feel. There's no wings for me as long as
l am tied to her. We've no affinity"
Mrs. Appledore gazed at him in dull won.
der. These we're almostthe words she used
to her sister, but they did not sound pleas
antly now.
Il love You, Rosetta" went on the little
man, approaching her; "and want to ask
You just one question: Were I q single
man would you marry me?"
Il might" admitted the widow smooth
ing down fold in her oyerskirt with a
trembling hand.
"Enough!" and the professor flung his
arm about her and pressed a rapturous kiss
upon her forehead. Bless you, my darl.
ing!" and before che could answer him he
was gone.
The next evening when Mrs. Appledore
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. "I've
offered my wife $50 to leave me and she
has accepted"
"Accepted!" the widow cried, wrenching
herself free.
"Yes, and as soon as can sell my book
she shall go. have lived in soul isolation
long enough. My heart has found its
mate.
All the men that Mrs. Appledore knew
were quaint Of speech aud Somewhat rus
tic in manner, but what they considered
duty controlled their lives.
You wretchl she cried, dashinQ the
clothes-pin basket at him. Fifty dollars!
You amt worth ifty cents Go home and
never Care speak to me again!"
Hear me, he pleaded, catching hold Of
her gown.
Il can't stay out here and listen to phil
auderin talk, " she answered resolutely, and
twitohing her dress from his grasp she en-
tered the house. But the professors hand
was upon the latch. Like most little VIC
men, the widow was curious mixture Of
timidity and courage. She flung the door
open. Don't you dare to coma ini" she
cried. I'll throw hot water on you'll I'll
III kill you" Then. slamming the door
in his face, she bolted it securely.
All the evening the professor paced
up and down Mrs. Appledore's back veran-
da. The next evening he again appeared
and the next. and the widow thor
oughly alarmed sent the bravest twin ont
the front way with note to her brother-in
law.
Mr.. Phlox delighted in anything that
could be called proceedings. and in few
minutes he had the deputy sheriff and two
constables and went marching down tho
principal street with thera to the great de-
light Of all the small boys of the village.
It was impossible for the professor TO es-
cape. Tho officers crept round the house
noiselessly. The sheriff collorel him, tho
oonstables pinioDel his arms. Mr. Phlox
grabbed him by the coat-tails and away he
was walked to the village lookup.
Mrs. Appledore passed sleepless night.
She imagined the whole town was wide
awake and discussing her, and long before
daybreak sLe had resolved to sell her home
and Dixville bank stock and move West.
1--WE got my comeupance," she groaned.
I've always been romantic and wanted
romance such as I've read about, and I've
had one. Oh, dear! Oh, dear!"
About o'clock that morning there came
lively rap at the kitchen door, and IN.
strung by excitement and loss of sleep, she
shreked aloud.
"On'y me; on'y Deacon Bliss" cried O.
pleasant voice through the keyhole.
Mrs. Appledore slid back the bolt with
trembling fingers. How thankful am,"
she said, holding out Ter hand; II feel so
in need Of somebody"
Twas fortunate come along les as
did, then," said the deacon, taking off his
straw hat and slowly rubbing his face with
his ample bandana. It was shrewd
though benevolent face, framed in waves
Of iron.gray hair. Il see ye look kinder
peaked. The weather has been tryin.' I've
felt it myself an ached in my jnts the wust
way"
Its my soul, Deacon" walled the Wild
ow, dropping into chair and covering her
face ith her apron. I've always hanker-
ed after romance an I've Fad one, and
wish was dead and laid beside Caleb"
"Oh, no ye don't, Miss Appledore, said
The deacon in the caressing tone in which
he would address sobbing child This
worlds poorly good place, An with few
exceptions folks are poorly good. come
over to fetch q few Of my sweetins' and to
tell ye thet that there offer made you
spell ago holds Good yet. rally wish yed
consider it agin."
Mrs. Appledore remained silent behind
her apron.