The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1882-05-04


willin' to do anything to help him. An
then she inquired if l thought she
could git 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 pret
tern 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 |
:" she cried.
"'They don't say nothin' yet o'ny that
you're dreadful foolish" chirped her
sister, rising and putting on her calash,
for it was almost supper time. 81 can t
say as know of anything for you to do
except to tell Mr.. Smith to stay t home
"Taint likely Deacon Bliss will give you
a chance to say yes second time"
There had been ii good deal of pleas
urable excitement in receiving the visits
of the professor. To dress herself in
her best mourning and to sing her ia,
vorite songs to an appreciative listener
had been something to look forward to
| during the humdrum work of the day.
The thought, however, of what her ac-
quaintances were saying about her en-
bittered her life, and when the profess
sor 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," she said coldly.
Tears, real tears, came into the pro-
fessor's big blue eyes. But [ love
you," he cried, "snd she has always
been an incubus upon my soul"
" But she's your wife, persisted Mrs.
Appledore.
II know it," moaned the professor,
rubbing his brow distractedly. eft
eats out my vitals when think of it..
She don't feel as 1 feel. There's no
wings for me as 10. g as I am tied to
her. We've no affinity"
Mrs. Appledore gazed at him in dull
wonder. These were almost the words
she had used to her sister, but they did
no. sound pleasantly now.
ST love you, Rosetta" went on the
little man, approaching her, "and 1
want to ask you just one question:
Were single man would you marry
me?"
81 might" admitted the widow,
smoothing down fold in her over
skirt with trembling hand.
"Enough!" and the professor flung
| his arms about her and pressed rap
turous kiss upon her forehead. "Bless
you, my darling !" 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 clasps d
from behind by pair of strong arms
You Will soon be mine," said the
voice of the professor. I've offered
my wife fifty dollars to leave me, and
she has accepted"
"Accepted" |" the widow cried, wrench
ing herself free.
6" Yes, and as soon as I can sell my
book she shall go. I've lived in soul
isolation long enough. My heart has
found its mate"
I'll the men that Mrs. Appledore
knew were quaint of speech and some
what rustic in manner, but what
they considered duty controlled their
lives. you wretch !" she cried
dashing the clothespin basket
at him. "Fifty dollars You ajnn
worth fifty cents. Go home and never
dare TO speak to me again !"
Hear me-" he pleaded, cate hing
hold of her gown.
"l can't stay out here and listen to
philanderin' talk" she answered reso-
lutely, and twitchins 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 timid-
ity and courage. She flung the door
open. Don't you dare to come in y
she cried. "I'll throw hot water on
voul I'll-Pll kill your Then slam
ming the door in his face she bolted it
securely
All the evening the professor paced
up and down Mrs. Appledore's back
veranda. The next evening he again
| appeared, and the next, and the widow
thoroughly alarmed sent the bravest
twin out the front way with a note to
her brother-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 MAJ ching
down the principal street with them to
the great delight of oil the small boys
OF the village. 1t was impossible for
the professor to escape. The officers
crept rouna the house noiselessly. The
sheriff coh~red him, the constables
pinioned 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 she had re,
solved to sell her home and Dixville
bank stock and move West. "Ive got
my comeupance," she groaned. 1--WE
always been romantic and wanted 70
nance such as I've read about, an I've
had one. Oh, dear Oh, dear |"
About 8 o'clock in the morning
there came lively rap at the kitchen
door, and unstrung by excitement and
lack OF sleep, she shrieked aloud.
"O'ny me. O'ny Deacon Bliss, u
cried pleasant voice through the key
hole.
Mrs. Appledore slid back the bolt
with trembling fingers. "How thank,
full | am" she said, holding out hel
hand, " l feel SO in need of some
body"
Twas fortinet 1 come along jes' as