Milford chronicle., 1883-06-15


IL deal to ask of you, my boy but I've n
ID one else to impose upon, and l can
bear to think of her making fool G
s. herself when I'm gone. viii you 4
Y it?"
e Certainly, said the young man, a
II brayely as before.
n "And stick to it
Right to the end. Once more-Il
i be as good as my word.
t "Much obliged. I wish I could d,
o something for you in return. Make al
e you can for yourself in the business; the
less money she gets the more sensible
; she'll be. I'll alter my will so that You'll
have sole charge, and I'll fix your salary
before witnesses; bring in a couple of de-
+ cent men, won't you?"
Milton started to do as he was asked.
but before he returned his employer had
gone on a long journey, aud Mrs. Baker
was all tears ard remorse. Her agony
lasted full week, aud gave way only to
the exlgences of being fitted, by an inn
ported dressmaller, to an entire mourn
ing wardrobe. 1t had not more than
disappeared when she complained to her
clerk OF extreme loneliness. and ex-
pressed the hope that she would not 90
crazy. Then she insisted that the trav-
cling men whom her husband had been
III the habit of bringing home should al
ways be invited to call upon her. The
d, clerk did not comply with her request.
and when she asked why, henerved him
self to talk to her plainly. As her hus-
band had prophesied she submitted.
though not without murmuring; but she
began to court all the society that the
village afforded, and to rebel against her
sombre dress. Again the clerk remon-
strated, and again the widow aclSnowl-
edged that he was right. But. as she |
told him, she was only thirty-six, and as
she had neither husband nor children
life was dreadfullly dull for her
Milton could reason with the woman
but the cares Of the business prevented
him Watching her, and as Mrs. Baker
had no cares to occupy her mind. she
soon became the principal gossip of the
village and the principal subject of COS
sip beside. She consortcd with other
silly women whom her husband when
alive had forbidden her knowing. and
she enjoyed many merry evenings in
company, the male members of which
we're not above talking to the detrimeut
1f Mrs. Bakers reputation for taste and {
sense.
Finally, the clerk heard stories that
him to warn his EMPLOYERS l
widow that hername was the subject of :
much disrespectful talk. The widow
7ept Indignantly but helplessly, and Il
7anted to know what she was to do: she t
'ished she might die, but she supposed a
hat was impossible. :, d.
There's only one way to live down +,
lesc stories, Mrs Baker, said Milton. v
18th a white face and his mouth set as
he had an unpleasant duty to perform. Il
You must have a mans name to pro- I
'ct you; there's nothing to do but marry @ eI
gain. q
The widow smiled through her tears. W
I'd looked almost pretty, for the sug. W
'stion promised change. Marriage p'
ould be almost a novelty, she thought, -
ID novelties, great or small, were all she ca
ed for. But she looked sober again es
len she asked. 10
" How am to do it, unless some one bo
ks me ?" :ls
Some one will, " said the clerk, setting fu
) teeth closer together 90 I'm going ar.
ask you myself, and 1 won't take no Cn
an answer, either, and won't be put off gu
| won't be told that I'm too young" -" 1u
La r exclaimed the widow, uncon- iy
ously, as she blushed, ''nobody would Ga
too young. But [ don't know what are
make of you; never thought You ex- nat
ly liked me. " eilI EN-
That is because you don't under dec 5e
nd men ald their ways, " said Milton. the
Il have to teach you then there'll be mil
more stories told about you Come, ers
Y, say 'yes'-right away" mas
] suppose if 1 must, then must. 4
wered the blissful widow, inclining to- of
d Milton until the young man had to SO,(
md his arms suddenly-he had not IN t
lght to do SO before-to save her Ignt T5t
a falling. ~ ~,
fter that people talked more than ture
:, but an early marriage ceremony in r
led most tongues of their stings, and extr
young husband ruled his middle-aged V"e'
ge so strictly yet skilfulIy that Mrs.
ey, late Baker, ceased to be silly ex-
at home, and even when she did III
feel deep affection for her husband oIoS
could not help respecting him and ''IV w
g to make him happy, so he was not otheI
rribly unfortunate after all. And lyn I
ad the special comfort of feeling focat
beyond doubt, he had been as good view
S word. .-NelO York Hour !, y
proaC
E WITNESSES. 1t is decided that of laIly
witnesses who gave evil .il'a',' a. :