The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1882-05-24

feel as ieel. There's no wings for me as
long as / am tied to her. We've no atm
ity.
Mrs. Appledore gazed at him in dali
wonder. These were almost the words she
bad used to her sister, but they did not
sound pleasantly now.
81 love you, Rosetta" went on the little
man, approaching her; sand | want to ask
you just one question: Were 1 single man
would you marry me2'
81 might, admitted the widow, smooth
ing down fold in her overskirt with q
trembling hand.
"EnoaahI' and the Professor flung his
arms about her and pressed a rapturous kiss
iingr and before she could answer him he
was gone.
The next evening when Mrs. Applejore
was Ia ing down her washing from the line
she was suddenly clssped from behind by 8
pair of strong arms. "You will soon be
mine,r 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.
.sYes, and as soon as can sell my book
she shall go. I've lived in soul isolation
long enough. My heart has found lis
mate.'
All the men that Mrs. Appledore knew
were quaint of speech and somewhat rustic
in manner, but what they considered duty
controlled their lives. "You wretch" she
cried, dashing the clothes-pin bag at him.
Fifty doIlarsI You amt worth fifty
cents. Go home and never dare TO speak to
me agsin2"
"Hear me-" he pleaded, catching hold of
her gown.
81 can't stay out here and listen to phil
anderin' talk" she answered resolutely, and
twitching her dress from his grasp she en-
tered the house. But the Professor hand
was upon the latch. Like most little women,
the widow was a curious mixture OF timid-
ity and courage. She flung the door open.
"Don't you dare 10 come inl' she cried.
"I'll throw hot W ter on you'll I1l-I'l
kill youl' 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, ano
the next, and the widow thoroughly
alarmed sent the bravest twin out the front
way with note to her brother-in-law.
Mr. Phlox delighted in anything thstcould
becalled proceedings, and in few minutes
uo udu Tue utPubJ huO bWO SOhSso-
bles, and went marching down the principal
street with them to the great delight of all
the small boys of the village. 1t was inn
possible for the Professor to escape. The
officers crept around the house noiselessly.
The sheriff collared him, the constables pin
! toned bis arms, Mr.. Phlox grabbed him by
the coat tails, and away he was walked to
the village lock up.
Mrs. Appledore passed sleepless night;
she imagined the whole town was wide
awake and discussing her, and long before
day break she had resolved to sell her home
and Dixville bank stock and move West
'Ive got my comeupance," she grosned,
1--we always been romantic, and wanted u
romance such as have read about, an I've
had one. Oh, dear! oh, dearP'
About o'clock in the morning there
came lively rap at the kitchen door, and,
unstrung by excitement and loss of sleep,
she shrieked aloud.
sony me; on'y Deacon Bliss" cried q
pleasant voice through the keyhole.
Mrs Appledcre slid back the bolt with
trembling fingers. "How thankful am, y
she said holding out her hand; 81 feel so in
iced 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 bandana 1t was O shrewd though
benevolent face, framed in waves of IRON
gray hair. 81 see ye lock kinder peeked.
The weather has been tryin'. I've it felt my
self an ached in my jints the wust way"
"lt's my soul, Deacon" walled the widow
dropping into chair and covering her face
with her apron. "I've always hankered af.
ter romance an I've had one, and 1 wish
L was dead and laid beside Caleb
"0h, no We don't, Miss Appledore," said
the Deacon in the caressing tone IN which
no would address a sobbing child '-This
worlds pooty good place, an, with few
exceptions, folks are pooty good. come
over to fetch few of my sweetins, and to
tell you thet that there offer 1 made We
spell ago holds good yet. / rally wish ye'd
consider it agin.'
Mrs. Appledore remained silent behind
her apron.
eff ye'd hev me-" repeated the Deacon in
low voice. 81 know that l amt half good
'nufi. and thet I'm kind NV an old fellow.
but l've got comfsble place an comPable
things in it, and I've been sot on We this
long spell, us We knows. / dare say l was
tached to Lucy more'n I shall ever be to
to anybody agin. We sort Nv growed to-
StbucT Oub 80 Ou duQ OdicDS h.lO
I'm sure I'll try ter make We happy, and
yer two little gals, as sweet as two pinks.
III be to ME jos like the little gals ]
lost"
Mrs. Appledore did not remove her
apron, and after pause the Deacon falter-
ingly continued: 81 s'pose faint no use to
argy. Folks hez their own idees of such
things; but anyways I'll stand yer friend"
The widow rubbed her eyes and slowly let
fall her apron. five always had the great
est esteem for you," she said. with little
shake in her voice, "but never knew how
good-how much 1 think of you. 1 will
L"
The Deacon started up. "Will ye2"
Mrs. Appledore had taken refuge in her
apron.
"Will ye really, Rosettai" he repeated.
The bowed head covered in the blue
gingham nodded.
Ye shan't regret it," said the Deacon,
solemnly and avn wardly laying his big
hand, coarsened by labor, on her shoulder
"Lord bless the little woman-an' our
home. Our home" he spoke softly as if to
himself.
"P raps pow," he continued after a
minute, I'D better drop in an see him, an
in tellin' the news L might mention casual
like we're goin'te ter be married soon. An
tibet nobody'll trouble any body that stays
t'hum, an that I'm able to help an e1di-