Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1882-05-20
"The twins were babes. "

Song succeeded song till the Professor
proposed duets, and Mrs. Appledore en-
| joyed the music so much that it was mid
night before she knew it.
Two months passed away. The Pro-
lessor came almost every evening. lie
had hired a small house little out OF
town, that he might be undistutbed, he
explained, and a relative had come to keep
house for him. He did not know how long
| be should remain in Dixville. He was pre-
pairing book for publication, and writing
several lectures When his literary labors
were over he was going TO take trip some
where and rest, though friends OF his, in
| tiuential in Washington, were anxious Tor
him to accept Consulship at an important
point.
| The widows neat white cottage stood
| by itself on the confines OF the village.
| Deacon Bliss fields of dark green pepper
mint and nodding wheat, stretching along
the road for nearly mile joined the gar
| den. Before her abrupt refusal OF him,
the deacon had been accustomed to drop
/ in for little visit or to bring neighborly
| offering OF apples or fresh vegetables. But
these calls had ceased, and, cut off from
all her sources of news and pleasure, Mrs.
Appledore stayed closely at home, prac-
ticed her music and entertained the Pro.
lessor.
But one sunshiny afternoon Mrs. Phlox
came busting up the prim graveled walk.
Rosetta Appledore, she chirPed, like
an angry bluejay, as she opened the door,
though a clod, which there are folks that
think different, I've come to ask you if you
know you re the town talk ?"
The town talk echoed her astonished
sister.
Yes, the town talk" repeated Mrs.
Phlox, with wonderful emphasis Any
body would be who had spent two blessed
months philanderin' with married man"
"Who is married ?"
Your Professor Smith"
al don't believe it.
81 s'posed you wouldn't, but I've seen
his wife, said Mrs Phlox, with evident
satisfaction. ''Miss Merrills, she twas
Pearly Ann Truesdale. wouldn't miss
tindin' out anything if she had to walk ten
miles, an she called on her, an told me.
That night says to John, John, says l,
a sisters sister, specially if she's younger
an wilder, an if l be clod I'm goin' to
Jane, think you'd better, an the first
lulnS ulu ucAL was To llEcl
up an take me over on the mile-strip where
that fellow lives, in Tony Allerton's cot.
tage. He want in, but she was, an she
was washin'.
"'Pm Miss Phlox, says 1, AN I come
to call. Thank you, says She I'm
Miss Smith, an she set out the only chair
there was in the room for me, an set down
herself on the wash. bench.
I" Air you Miss st. Clair Smith, the
wife of the Professor, seq l.
A sort of smile twinkled over her
mouth, an she SEE, Yes, Miss st. Clair
Smith, though l didn't know Mr.. Smith
had adopted the St. Clair name. That's
my family name. And then she went on
an spoke of her husband, an OF how am
bilious he is, an how he feels his spear in
public life, and how she is willin' to do
anything to help him. An then she in
quired if l thought she could get SEWN in
Dixville when she feels little better an
is able to do it.
Tears of shame and anger gathered in
Mrs. Appledore's eyes as her sister spoke
=" Is Mrs. Smith good-looking? Is she an
interesting woman" she asked.
81 can't say how interesting she is. She
seemed kind of trod on, so to speak. As
for looks, she amt any prettier'n you'd be
if you worked hard an didn't have half
enough to eat, said Mrs. Phlox calmly.
Mrs. Appledore sobbed aloud. "What
do people say about me? What shall l
do ~ 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. ~ can't say
as know of anything for you to do ex.
cept to tell Mr.. Smith to stay t'home.
'Taint likely that Deacon Bliss will give
you chance to say yes second time"
There had been good deal of pleasure
BILE excitement in receiving the visits OF
the Professor. To dress herself in her best
mourning and to sing her favorite songs to
anappreciative listener, had been something
to look forward to during the humdrum
work of the day. The thought, however,
of what her acquaintance 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 go home to your wife,
Mr.. Smith," said she, coldly.
Tears-real tears-came into the Profess
sor's big blue eyes. "But love you" he
cried "and she has always been an incu.
bus upon my soul.
"But she's your wife," persisted Mrs.
Appledore.
bling his brow distractedly. 6" 1t eats out
my vitals when l think of it. She don't
feel as l feel. There's no wings for me as
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.
81 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-"
81 might" admitted the widow, smooth
ing down fold in her overskirt with
trembling hand.
Enough" and the Professor flung his
arms about her and pressed rapturous
kiss upon her forehead. "Bless you, my
darlingl" 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
NINE" said the voice of the Professor.
"Tve offered my wife $50 to leave me, and
she has accepted"
Accepted, the widow cried, wrench
ing herself free.
Yes, and as soon as can sell my book
she shall go. I've lived in sole isolation
long enough. My heart has found its
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 basket
at him. FIFTY dollars You amt worth
fifty cents. Go home and never dare to
speak to me again +"
9. Hear me- be pleaded. catching hold