Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-06-25

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her regular attendance at prayer-meeting
was attributed by few malicious per-
sons to other motives than those Of q
pious nature.
Whether the deacon had also OWNED
Maria's motives, and attributed her re.
igious enthusiasm to his eloquent pray
ers and exhortations in meeting" can
not be known, but certainly the tender
and sympathizing glances she had cast
over to his side of the church had their
effect upon his susceptible bosom, and
now that she sat on the settee SO near
him, in the cool and quiet seclusion of
Squire Parrat's front room, with the
honeysuckle odors stealing into the low
door, he felt moved to tenderness.
"Sister Marier," said he, "this is q
miserable world"
eyes. Brother Skeels," said the maid
en-, alphabetically.
81 don't take no sort Of pleasure in
nothing since I lost my partner; life
seems so lonesome like, said the deacon.
Scripture says it amt good for man to
be alone"
ct don't reckon as how you'll never
find no one to take her place." said
Maria, timidly.
"Ah! Sister Marier, there is them as
could make me happy once more, as it
were, and make me forgit my grief for
her as lies in the burying- ground with
the long grass waving over her." said
the deacon in burst of eloquence.
But at this juncture the swallows in
the big chimney flew up with loud
whirr that caused Maria to start up with
little scream-albeit she had been &C
customed to these summer swallows
from childhood the good deacon
could not refrain from clasping his arm
about her firm waist and entreating her
not to be alarmed.
"My sakes! Brother Skeels, what
turn them birds did give me! There
I feel quite relieved now; thank you,
kindly" said the gentle Maria, leaning
very near the deacon's bombazine
bosom, her eyes half closed. and one
little .weather-beaten hand spread out
over her maiden heart.
"Don't move till you're calm, Sister
Marier."
Whereat Miss Parrat, instead of be-
coming calm, showed signs Of increased
agitation, as was perhaps natural under
the circumstances. The large palm-leaf
figures on the bosom other gown heaved
wildly and she burst into tears then
the summer coat sleeve frightened about
the round waist, the maiden's head sank
lower and lower, until finally the cheek
rested upon the bombazine bosom, and
the deacon's voice whispered
"Marier, you are the being 1 would
have for my second partner will you
become Mrs. Skeels, and make me
happy?"
Without waiting for her lover to re-
pent of the offer, Maria whispered
gently, eyes"
1t was night. Squire Arson Panat's
oats had been cut and piled in little
stacks about the field adjoining the old
farm house. The chickens in the cherry
tree beside the kitchen porch slept
peacefully on their perch, and the pale
light of the new moon shone softly over
the scene. The inmates of the little
house seemed to be resting likewise I'M
der peaceful spell, and all appeared to
slumber. Not so, however. One wake
full being beneath that quiet roof was
tossing restless on her high posted
couch. This was no other than the gen.
tie Maria. She listened impatiently to
the old clock ticking out the seconds,
and to Betsey's peaceful snoring until
she was assured that the household was
at rest for the night; then she stole
softly from her bed, and by the faint
light of the moon proceeded to array
herself in green delaine gown which
had been her Sunday dress time out
of mind. She was just doing her
back hair when Tiger gave growl,
then a loud bark on hearing what
sounded to him very much like the
wheels of a rickety chaise rafting some
distance down the pike.
eve are diskivered, " said the agitated
Maria to herself, in great alarm.
But no Tiger stopped to listen for
the near approach of the wheels, but
either he had been mistaken in the noise
or the chaise had stopped, for all was
quiet. He gave several low, dissatisfied
growls, as much as to say: cit may be
all right, but will wait and see"
Maria went on with her dressing. FL
naIly the last touches were added to her
midnight toilet; she had tied on her
head coquettish bonnet Of previous
fashion, and all was In readiness save
her front teeth. These were artificial,
and, having been made by bungling
artist, were exceedingly uncomfortable
and always laid aside by Maria in pri-
vate. She was sure she had put them in
the right-hand corner of the stand
drawer. But no Clearly they were
not there. Maria's heart sank. She
stole softly to the mantel-shef and felt
around among the brass candlesticks,
and came near knocking over the plaster
cast of ''Little Samuel" but no teeth
were there. Heavens She remem-
bered now. She had left them in the
pocket of her palm-leaf figured gown,
on the occasion of the deacon's re-
cent call, and the dress was hanging in
the "big press" in Betsey's room.
A chill of dismay crept over Maria.
But the teeth must be had. To appear
without them was not to be thought of.
She sat down on the floor and removed
her tan-colored low CATERS, then, with
stealthy tread, sought the "press in
Betsey's room. It was desperate act,
but what will not romantic maiden
venture. when love stands ready to re-
ward her? She gained the corner in