Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1883-01-19

w III. Hr 3XtDt me 10 CIV" Inn q
MIS-. 50 | colil'un't DO otherwise
There wor no harm IN that. 7,-w,rly."
"C"riainly not. Only. y"u see.
Mary lives iu-t opposite. ald saw il
all. III" very likely Thought you'd he
better engaged kissing her. instead
OF hanging around the widows door
Depend upon it. she's jealous; and
sizes got "A highful spirit OF her own.
and is acting like this to make you
think she doesn't care whether sh5
has you or no. If she thought there
was real danger of losing You. She q
come round III minute. Il, tractable
as You like.
But how can | make her think
so?"
We'll. you won't he doing any
work to-day. and its dull tiillIny
idling about doing nothing. Take
and, brush yourself up smart. and go
and have chat with Mrs. Blggs.
Take some oranges and sweets for
Joey. Don't look at Mary's house;
and mind and make grand show of
petting and kissing the boy in front
Of the window, where she can see
it all. She'll be more jealous than
ever. But if she doesn't marry you
to morrow, I'll eat my head
"Ah, Master Wcstley, you're a
deep one, you are!" said Simon, re-
garding his astutc adviser with ad-
miration. But it don't fare to be
ezackerly jonnick straightforward
to dew SO; and L amt fond of
smarmin' babies over with kisses.
Still, if you think it 'ull bring Mary
up to the scratch. I'll cen try it. If
it don't, marry Sukey l will, without
any more shilly- -shallying."
Master Westley then started for
the rectory; and Sim paid his visit to
the widow. He remained in her
snug little house some time; and
must have acted his part uncommonly
well, for he had hardly reached home
again: when he was visited by his
old sweetheart. That eccentric
spinster, ignoring her own wayward
conduct that day, attacked Sim with
storm of reproaches, accusing him
of tickleness and falsneess in for
saking her for that sly, carneying,
little widder; and after keeping
company with me for SO many years"
she plaintively added.
No." said Sim stoutly; ''twor no
fault o mine. l was ready to do my
part this morning. 1t was You KS
run word. But I'll eat humble pie
no longer. If You don't want to hev
me, l know one as does. I'll marry
you to morrow, if you like. If you
don't, I'll never Ak you again.
Mary was a tall, black eyed, comcly
looking spinster of forty or more,
reputed to have hot temper and a
shrewish tongue; but for once she
kept both i'll check. 1t was evident
that Simon meant to be trihed with
no longer Moreover, she could not
help secretly admitting that he was
right, and admiring his spirit and
manly determination. 1t would
never do to let so good a fellow and
so faithful a lover fall a prey to de-
signing widow to mention the
humiliation she would have to en-
dure!
Next morning, the rain clouds had
cleared off, and bright sun poured
its rays through the old church win
dow upon Mr.. and Mrs. Simon Pew
eritt as they walked from the altar
rails into tho vestry, to enter their
names in the parish register. Sim,
with broad grin on his face, labori-
ously executed big black y as ''his
mark" informed the rector that he
was sawyer by trade" and that his
''owd gal had been of age this twenty
yearw after which he turned to his
friend the clerk, with a knowing
wink, and said in an undertone:
I'VE did it we'll between us, didn't
we! Mary was up at six this morn
ing, and had to wait for me! I've
got the whip-hand to begin with:
and promise you l won't give up
the reins agin" Then he added in
a louder tone, as they were about to
leave: Now, Master Westlcy, you
must come and help us eat our wed
ding dinner. The pork and apple
sass will be none the worse for wait
ing day; and my Missus and neil
make you as welcome as flowers in
May. There won't be any happier
folks in Woodham And, Master
Westley, you shall hev some of the
finest logs in my timber-ya to keep
up your fires this winter. I'm not
the man to forget good turn or an
old friend"