Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1882-05-11
aThe town talka" echoed her astonished

months phllanderln WIN harrieu
man.
"Who is married?"
"Your Professor SMITH"
II don't believe it."
at s'posed You wouldn't. but I've seen his
wife. said Mrs. Phlox, with evident salts
faction. "Miss Merrills, she twas Pearly
Ann Truesdale, wouldn't miss findin' out
anything If she had to walk ten miles, an
she called on her an told me. That night
I seq to John, john seq I, a sisters
sister, specially if she's younger an wild
der, an if be clod I'm goin' to the bot
tom of this an seq he, Emma Jane, I
think you'd BETTER an the first thing he did
the next mornin' was to hitch up am 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, seq I. anil come to call.
Thank YOU. seq 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 the professor, seq I.
"A sort of smile twinkled over her mouth
an she seq, 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 SEWN in Dixville
when she was able to do it."
Tears of shame and anger gathered in
Mrs. Appledore's eyes as her sister spoke.
ais Mrs. Smith good lookingp Is she an
interesting woman?" she asked.
HOY s,,fa oh Sc
seemed kind Of trod on, so to speak. As
for looks she amt any prettier than you'd
be if you worked hard an didn't get enough
to eat, 4" said Mrs. Phlox calmly.
Mrs. Appledore sobbed aloud. aWhat
do people say about me2 What shall
dor" she cried.
They don't say nothin' yet, on'y that
you're dreadful foolish" chirped her sis
ter, rising and putting on her calash, 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. faint like
ly Deacon Bliss will give you chance to
| say yes second 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 appreciative listener had been
SOmSllluS u lUOk 1OEWaru W Tue
hundrum work of the day. The thought,
however, of what her acquaintance were
Sal ing about her embittered her life, and
when the professor again called one glance
at her face told him she knew all.
Dear Mrs. Appledore, he began, but
she checked him.
you had better 90 home to your wife,
Mr.. Smith, she said oddly.
Tears, real tears, came into the profess
sor's big blue eyes. "But love you" he
cried, and she has al ways been an incu-
bus upon my SOUL"
"But she's your wife, persisted Mrs.
Appledore.
Il know it" moaned the Professor, rub
bling his brow distractedly. 1T eats out my
vitals when think of it. She don't feel as
I 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 almost the 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 single
man would you marry me?"
II might" admitted the widow, smooth
ing down fold in her overskirt with
trembling hand.
Enough" and the professor flung his
arm about her and pressed rapturous kiss
upon her forehead. Bless you, my darl-
ing!" and before she 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
pair of strong arms. "You will soon be
mine, said the voice of the professor. 1--WE
offered my wife $50 to leave me and size
has accepted"
accepted" the widow cried, wrenching
herself free.
Eyes, and as soon as can sell my book
| she shall 60. I have lived in soul isolation
long enough. Ny heart has found its
mate.
All the men that Mrs. Appledore knew
were quaint Of speech and somewhat rus
tic in manner, but what they considered
duty controlled their lives.
you wretoh!" she cried, dashing the
clothes.pin basket at him. FIFTY dollars!
You amt worth fifty 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
anderin talk, she answered resolutely, and
twitching her dress from his grasp she en-.
tered the house. But the professors hand
was upon the latch. Like most little We
men, the widow was curious mixture of
timidity and courage. She flung the door
open. Don't you dare to come in!" she
cried. "I1l throw hot water on you! nj
I'll kill you'll" Then, slamming the door
in his face, she boltsd 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 out
the front way with note to her brother-in-
law.
Mr.. Phlox delighted in anything that
could be called proceedings, and in o few
minutes he had the deputy sheriff and two
constables and went marching down the
principal street with them to the great de-
light Of. all the small boys of the village.
It was impossible for the professor to es-
cape. The officers crept round the house
noiselessly. The sheriff collored him, tho
constables pihioned his arms, MIR. 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 size had resolved to sell her home
and Dixville bank stock and move West.
"rve got my comeupance," she groaned
1--WE always been romantic and wanted
| romance such as I've read about, and I've
had one. Oh, dear! Oh, dear!"
About 8 o'clock that morning there came
lively rap at the kitchen door, and I'M
strung by excitement and loss of sleep, she
| shrieked aloud.
"On'y me; on'y Deacon Bliss" cried
pleasant voice through the keyhole.
Mrs. Appledore slid back the'bolt with
trembling fingers. How thankful am"
she said, holding out her hand; II feel so
in need Of somebody"
Twas fortunate come along jess as I
| 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-gr hair. L see ye look kinder
peaked. The weather has been tryin.' I've
felt it myself an ached in my jints the wust
way"
ITS my soul, Deacon" walled the wild
ow. dropping into chair and covering her
face with her apron. tive always banker
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