Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1882-04-25

darlingm and before she could answer
him he was gone.
The next evening when Mrs. Apple
dore was taking down her washing from
The line she was suddenly clasped from
behind by pair of strong arms. You
will soon he mine" said the voice OF
the professor. I've offered my wife
fifty dollars TO leave me, and she has ac
copied"
Accepted" the widow cried, wrench
ins herself free.
"Yes, and "a soon as can sell my book
she shall go. I've lived in soul isola-
ton long enough My heart has found
its mate
All the men that Mrs. Appledorc knew
were quaint OF speech and somewhat
rustic in manner. hut what they consid-
cred duty controlled their lives. You
wretchl" she cried, dashing the clothes
pin basket at him. Fifty dollars! You
amt worth ftty cents. Go LONE, and
never dare to speak to me again !"
Hear me-" he pleaded, catching hold
Of her gown.
Il can't stay out here and listen to
pMlanderin' talk" she answered reso-
lutely, and twitching her dress from his
grasp he entered the house. But the
professors hand was upon the latch.
Like most little women, the widow was
a curious mixture of timidity and cour-
age. She flung the door open. Don't
you dare TO come in!' she cried. I'll
throw hot water on you! I'll kill-FIl
kill youw Then slamming the door in
his face. she bolted it securely.
All the evening the professor paced up
and down Mrs. Appledores back veran-
da. The next evening he again appear
ed. and the next, and tie widow. thor.
oughly alarmed. sent the brsvest one OF
her twins out the front way with note
to her bro,her-in-
Mr.. Phlox delighted in anything that
could be called proceedings. and in
few minutes he had the deputy sheriff
and two constablos and went marching
down the principal stree! with them TO
the great delight Of all the small boys OF
he village. 1t was impossible for the
professor TO escape. The officers crept
round the house noiselessly. The sheriff
collared him. the constables pinioned his
arms, Mr.. Phlox grabbed him by the
coat tails, and away he was walked to
the village lookup
MIS-. Appledore passed a sleepless
night. She imagined the whole town
was wide awake and discussing her, and
long before daybreak she had resolved
10 sell her home and DiNville bank stock
and move west. I've got got my comeu
pance," she groaned. 1--WE always been
romantic and wanted romance such as
I've read about, and I've had one. On.
dear! Oh, DEAR
About eight o'clock in the morning
there came = lively tap at the kitchen
door, and unstrung by excitement and
loss of sleep. she shrleked out aloud.
"Ony me. O'ny Deason Bliss cried
a pleasant voice through the keyhole.
Mrs. Appledore slid back the bolt with
trembling fingers. How thankful
am" she said. holding on, her hand. 81
feel so in dread of somebody"
Twas fortinet came along jes' as |
did then" said the deacon, taking on his
straw hat and slowly rubbing his face
with his ample bandana. II was
shrewd though benevolent face, framed
in waves of iron gray hair. Il see you
look kinder peaked. The weather has
been tryin'. I've felt it myself, ana
ached in my jints the wust way"
Its my soul, deacon" vailed the
widow. dropping into chair and cover
ing her face with her apron. 1--WE NJ
ways hankered after romance. an I've
had one. and ] wish was dead and laid
beside Caleb"
"Oh, 10 ye don't. Miss Appledore."
said the deacon in the caressing tone in
which he would address sobbing child.
This worlds pooty good place. and
with a few exceptions folks are pooty
good. come over to fetch few OF my
sweetias' and to tell you that there offer
| made We spell ago holds good yet. l
rally wish ye'd consider it again
Mrs. Appledore did not remove her
apron, and sitter pause the deacon fall
teringly continued: II s'pose faint no
use ter argy. Folks hez their own idees
of sech things; but anyways Pll stand
yer friend"
The widow rubbed her eyes and slow
~ let fall her apron. 1--WE always had
tue greatest esteem for YOU" she said
with n little shake in her voice, but /
! never knew how good-how much /
think of you. will-I"-
The deacon started up. "Wili YEP"
Mrs. Appledore had taken refuge in
her apron.
will ye really. Rosetta9 he repeat
ed.
The bowed head covered in the blue
Bingham nodded.
Eye shan't regret it, said the deacon
solemnly, and awkwardly laying his big
hand, coarsened by labor, on her shout
| der. Lord bless the little woman-an'
our home. Our home" he spoke softly,
as if to himse 1.
"P'raps now" 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' to be married soon.
| An, that nohody'll trOuble ANYBODY that