The Arkansaw traveler., 1883-03-03
WHY HE DIDN'T MARRY.

said Colonel Blinkins, a well-known drummer, in reply to question concern ing the narrowness of his escape from an unhappy marriage. ''You see tt was this way,' the colonel continued. .Some time ago stopped a, little hotel in the country. High water, bad roads, and other circumstances, over which. as the preachers say. we have no control. caused me to remain some time at the place. l was particularly struck with the appear ance of the landlords daughter, tall scrawny woman whose age seemed 10 finger among the semi-shady places situ- ated between thirty and thirty-hve. kv- cry movement made. her eyes would follow me.
 Why have you never married :. she asked of me one night. turning her eyes upward with kind of imploring lan- guor
 '.Because have never found the righ, person. i replied.
 My unfortunate destiny. once thought that might learn to love. but the heavy-hanging years passed with leaden tread and still am standing in the misty night, loving not and un- loved
 '.' Maud, that's wha, you read outen a book, for heard you, said the young lady's brother
 "' Robert, will you please leave the room.'
 ". Well, didn't hear you when you read 1t outen the book. and didn't hear you tell il to Lige Short one night!'
 The young lady arose and her brother disappeared.
 "' No,' she said, turning to me. fear that can never love unless that IS. un- less but she blu,hed and turned her face away.
 r' | mess what:
 "' don't want to say
 '.' No harm in telling me.
 "'Unless you want me to love you
 That's what you said to Ilse ahor, and l can prove it. yelled the boy. sud- denly appearing in the doorway and as suddenly disappearing again
 Why should want you to lofc me. asked. for saw that sho was in earnest
 ".so you could return my affection. and she blushed again and, thought, attempted to lean her head asainst my shoulder
 '''I see that must be frank with you You have not created within me wish to he loved by you. l could never love you. not. that is-not because have any thing against you. but simply because l it is disagreeable subject and please let us drop Il and never refer to 1t again.
 she Jeff the room hurriedly. mut,er- ing as she went that I would regret the decision had made, and that my saliva ton depended on her Late at nigh, sat in my room trying to read. A heavy rain was falling and the very atmosphere seemed to bring. with each breath. dreay. dismal feel ing. Looking up invoiuntarily at win dow opening from my room into little hallway. Horrible sightsinet my gaze. Seated in the window was a horrible. l,t- tie old woman.
 What do you wan,r asked
 ".I want you to marry Maud said the woman. lfyou don't will follow you through life.' and she leercd at me.
 "'l cannot marry her.
 The next moment the old woman was gone. Unable to sleep, sat up all night did not speak to the landlord in re- gard to the appari,ion, bu, told Maud She was greatly excited but declared tha, she was not surprised. She told me how, even as child, she could call up spirits and hear their strange voices. Of course would not marry you unless you loved me- she said. When said that you would regret your decision, fel, inn pclled to make the remark. don't know why. but strange feeling rushed over me. Probably you will never see the spirit again. Let Us hope that you shall not. am thankful that you were 50 frank with me and shall never cease 10 pray for your happiness and prosperity
 '' iier manner was So earnest that deeply pitied her. and when sought the haunted precincts of my lit,ic, drcary room and Sd, down Ia think. her sad face came up in my mind so vividly that was tempted ,o speak. The wiad blew mournfully. looked up. The horrible old woman. dwariish and terrible, sat in the window. She crossed her bony hands, moved her miserably dcformed feet, lecied al me and said:
 ".Marry Maud or 1 will haunt you night after night during your entire life. | f~ll