Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1882-05-04
wn a fold in her overskirt with a

ing down fold in her overskirt with a
trembling hand.
Enough" and the Professor flung his
arm abount her and pressed rapturous
kiss upon her forehead. BLESS you, nv
darling! and before she could answer
him he was gone.
The next evening when Mrs. Apple
dore was taking down heI washing from
the line she was suddenly clasped from
behind by pair of strong arms. You
will soon be NINE" said the voice of the
Professor. "l've offered my wife $50 to
leave me. and she has accepted"
"Acceptedp' the widow cried, wrench
ing herself free.
"Yes, and as soon as 1 can sell my
book she shall go. I've lived in soul iso-
lation long enough. Ny heart has found
its mate"
All the men that Mrs. Appledore knew
were quaint of speech and somewhat
rustic in manner, but what they cOnsid-
cred duty controlled their lives. You
wretch~ she cried, dashing the clothes
pin basket at him. Fiftyldollarsl You
amt worth fifty cents. Go home and
never dare to speak to me againi'
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
curious mixture of timidity and cour-
age. Don't you dare to come in" she
cried. "I'll throw hot water over youi
Ill-Pl 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 We
randa. The next evening he again ap-
peared, and the next, and the widow
thoroughly alarmed sent the bravest
twin out the front way with note to
her broJher-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 erept round the
house nOiselessly. The sheriff colIared
him, the constables pinioned his arms,
Mr. Phlox grabbed him by the coat-tails
and away he walked to the village lock-
up.
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. "Tve got my recon-
pense," she groaned. "I've always been
romantic and wanted a romance such
as I've read about, an I've had one Oh,
dearl Oh, dearp
About 8 o'clock in the morning there
came lively rap at the kitchen door,
and, unstrung by excitement and loss
of sleep, she shrieked aloud.
"On'y me; on'y Deacon Bliss" cried a
pleasant voice through the keyhole.
Mrs. AppledOre slid back the bolt with
trembling fingers, How thankful l
am" she said, holding out. her hand; 81
feel so in need of somebody"
Twas fOrtinet l come along jes' as I
did, then," said the Deacon, taking off
his straw hat and slowly rubbing his
face with his ample bandana. 1t was
shrewd though benevolent face, framed
in waves OF irOn-gray hair. -I-see you
look kinder peaked, The weather has
been tryin'. I've felt it myself an ached
in my jints the wust way"
"It's my soul, Deacon" walled the
widow, dropping into chair and COW
ering her face with her apron. 1--WE al
ways hankered after romance an I've
had one, an 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 asobbing child.
This worlds pooty good place. an
with few exceptions folks are pooty
good. l come over to fetch few of my
sweetins, an to tell We that that there
offer l made ye spell ago holds good
yet. rally wish you'd consider it agin."
Mrs. Appledore remained silent be-
hind her apron.
"Ef ye'd hev me-" repeated thee Dea-
con, in a low voice. "Iknow amt half
good 'nuff, and thet I'm kind Nv an old
fellow, but I've got conf able place an
conf able things in it, an I've been sot
on We this long spell, as ye know. dare
say I was 'tached to Lucy more'n l shall
ever be to anybody agin. We sort Nv
growed together like, but so did you and
Caleb, and I'm sure I'll try ter make ys
happy, and yer two little gals, as sweet
as two pinks II be to me jes' like the lit
tie gals l lost"
Mrs. Appledore did not remove her
apron, and after pause the Deacon fall
teringly continued:
81 s'pose faint no use ter argy. Folks
heZ their own idees of such things; but
anyways I'll stand yer friend"
81
ly let fall her apron. "I've always had
the greatest esteem for you," she said
with little shake in her voice, "but
never knew how good-how much l
think of you. 1 will"
The Deacon started up. "Will ye?
Mrs. Appledore had taken refuge in
her apron.
will ye really, Rosetts?" he repeated.
The bowed head covered in the blue
gingham nodded. rst--
"Ye shan't regret it." said the Dea-
con, solemnly, and awkwardly laying his
big hand, coaTsened by labor, on her
shoulder. Lord bless the little woman
in our home. Our hOme," be spoke
softly, as if to himself.
"P'rhaps now" he continued, after
minute, "Id drop in an see him, an in
tellln' the news might mention casual
like we're goiug ter be married soon. An
thet nobody1i trouble anybody that stays
t hum, an thet I'm able to help an eoi-
Gated man to good place, real neigh
borly, cause my brother Eben, out in
Kansas, wants clerk"
Mrs. Appledore said nothing, but the
Deacon seemed satisfied with her si-
lence. for he did just as he proposed.
Prof. st. Clair Smith was discharged
from Jail, and in three days he and his
pale little wife had left Tony Allerton's
cottage on the mile strip to return no
more.
In about fortnight DIR. 0llapod at
tended quiet wedding. You've had q
romance at last. Rosetta. l might sny
two two of EN-" whispered Mrs. Phlox,
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