Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1883-07-27
it into my head and heart to appeal to

III INTO my mead and heart TO appeal TO
you at this critical opportunity.
Miss Minkley neither blushed, gig
gled, nor burst into tears.
She rocked back and forth, went
composedly on with the red worsted
sock that she was knitting. and lifted
her back eyebrows just the least little
trife.
I'm very sorry" she said.
Il only wish you had been little
earlier; but I'm engaged already"
'Engaged?"
DR.. Blossoms lower jaw fell; he
stood blankly looking at her.
ITO Mr.; Telwright, explained
Miss Minkly.
But he's sixty" cried Blossom.
He is not young" admitted Mar
tina
Surely, surely, Martha" argued
Paul, forgetting all formalities in his
eager interest. you cannot care for
him."
Mono" said Martha, can't say
that l do. But he offers me very
good home"
rs it possible, Martha" said the
good clergyman reproachfully, that
YOU can allow yourself to be swayed
by considerations like this2"
"One must do the best they can for
themselves, said Miss Minkley.
well, well, sighed Mr.. Blossom,
1T would be downright sinful to
doubt that all is ordered for the best.
1T is the will of Heaven.
II always liked you, Martha, and I
believe your life with me would have
been both useful and pleasant
''At least, no effort of mine should
have been lacking to make it so. "
Il am very sorry" said Martha
demurely. But first come first serv-
ed you know"
Il should like occasionally to call
and see YOU" said the clergyman.
You will still be in my parish, you
know"
"Oh, certainly" said Martha.
Il hope that we shall always be
the best of friends"
And Mr. Blossom almost fancied
that, for quarter of a second, the
tender grasp of his hand was in some
measure returned.
He walked dejectedly out.
am too late, Mrs Dodd,' he said,
meeting the CHEEKY landlady, who was
coming in with a pair of newly bright
ened brass candelsticks.
Dear, dear, SIR said Mrs. Dodd
She has already promised her
self to Mr. TeIwrght. Though how to
be sure, she could ever have made
his acquaintance
She wasn't acquainted with him,
sir, = said Mrs. Dodd.
Not at all
AT least, not until | introduced
them, an hour ago"
The Reverend Paul looked Mortified.
And yet, he gaspcd "she is going
to marry him"
Mrs. Dodd, in her CONSERVATION,
dropped one of the brass candldsticks.
Bless your heart alive, SIR she
cried out, she amt agoin to do moth
ing of the kind. =.
Shes only going to be housekeep-
or for him at $3.50 a year, and two
servants kept. You wasn't a-mean-
ing, sir, to
II was asking her to be my wife, =
SAID Mr.. Blossom solemnly; land |
believed that she understood me to
that effect
Mrs. Dodd graspcd eagerly at the
sleeve of his coat.
SHE couldn't, - she said
Just wait bit Sir-wait a bit.
Martha. Matty, come out here
this minute,
you haven't understood a word
that the Reverend Mr.. Blossom has
said to you: He has asked you to
marry him.
The knitting fell from Miss Mink
Iey's hands.
She turned very pale, and began to
trcmble
Was it then true the crushed out,
forgotten dream of her whole life!
The reaching instinct of her hunger
ing heart:
Did some one really love her at last
even herr
IL didn't comprehend" said she.
II supposed that he wanted me to be
his housekrepcr | believed that his
wife was living"
Shes been dead these four years, =
interiectcd Mrs. Dodd.
And if ever there was saint upon
earth, Martha Minkley, and a man as
any woman might be proud TO marry,
ii is Mr.. Paul Blossom.
Martha held out her hands
Paul, - said she, forgetting all the
years that had elapsed since they were
boy and girl together at the Wesleyan
Seminary, do you care for me: Do
You love me, Paul"
IL do, he answered Solemnly.
Then | will be your wife, said
Martha, with a little sob.
In this world nothing is altogether
satisfactory.
The Rev. Paul Blossom was happy
so was Martha Minklcy; SO were the
children, and i'll a lesser degree, Mr.
and Mrs. Hiram Dodd.
But Miss Jcmima Blossom was not
ut all pleased, after having selected
Miss Hester Henderson as her broth
crs second wife:
Neither was Miss Henderson her
self who had already settled on the
color of her wedding dress
And Squire Telwright was compelled
to advertise i'll the paper for suitable
housckecper, after all.
But love, late-blooming flower in
some lives, was beginning to brighten
Miss Northa Mini Flaws Cnlitor,y nviSt-