Weekly Chillicothe crisis. (Chillicothe, Livingston Co., Mo.) 1878-19??, 1883-06-07

ness hours, since the war ended. Ii
arranged with the young lady to Jrin
all his male friends into tho surpris
party, and she, rather confused by he
new view of the Majors character
was most eiluSiyo in thanks, and bcin,
only twcnty-thrcc years of age and n
older than her years signifcd, wa
completely astounded by the Major
GOODNESS. She could not help betrayin,
her curiosity; she looked at the Maio
lnQnlringly, she dropped into rcvcric,
and She said TO her mother, who cam
TO the door OF the parlor Il momcn
about some affairs strictly of n famil
nature, that Mr.. Clinton was cnhrcl;
different 10 what she imagined him t,
be.
But the Major did not know all this
and after the business of the evenjn,
ended he began to feel the old familla
cold sweat that had been his torment il
the swamps of the Chickahominy lif
teen years before.
Conversation had dropped to Tn,
dead level of the National Academy
the last new novel, and Browns las
volume OF poems, all of which wcr,
very bad. Miss Nell looked Interested
pretty and sentimental until the Maiol
half wished she would be her natura
self, for he had at last reused himscl
to the combativG state, and he wantcC
to talk with her in the most seriou,
manner about her sister. At last hC
made 4 desperate effort and said:
Miss Wallcrson, called this even.
ing only on business, but have for q
long timc wanted TO say something tc
you about matter
''ENcuSc me Just for IN instant, Ma.
jor y interrupted Miss Nell. "thc gas is
kissing drCalfully. Won't You be GOOD
enough to see which burner it is; I'm
lust too short 10 reach any of them,
I'm sorry to say"
The Major FASTENED to the rescue.
lie heard II Kissing noise, as Of the cs-
cap" of too much gas; ho could not be
sure which of the six burners was at
fault, 50 lie turned down one after an
Other until the noise stopped and the
parlor was almost dark.
You are very kind" mmmurrd
Miss Nell rs the Major resumed his
seat near hen; "thc blowing Of gas is
drcadfulIy annoying to the ear. BY the
WY, you were saying that"
The Major resisted temptation to
say, "Oh, nothing of any consequence" "
and said:
81 have been long the most rovcrcnt
adorer OF u certain young lady who" -
"Oh, Maior!' exclaimed Miss Nell;
Hhe idea of your being in love. Did
you''-
"ExcuSe me, Hiss Wallcrson,n said
the Major hastily, "hutno one is compc-
tent to pass IN opinion ON my condi-
tion of mind but myself. fully know
my own feeling, and merely wish an
opportunity TO explain them in such Il
manner as may be most respectful" "
81 beg your pardon, Major said
Miss Nell, now entirely ON her guard.
'PlcaSo continue, and believe no one
here can doubt your sincerity"
The Majors heart gave mighty
bound; evidently this mischicyous girl
suspected something and was willing TO
suppress herself.
81 have long been worshipng Il lady
whom | would have been giad to make
my wife, continued the major. "if
had not feared that my love and what
else | had to offer her would not com.
pcnsatc for what she would be Obliged
10 give up"
"Your thoughtfuIness docsyou honor.
major,' said Miss Nell, in the kindc,t
way in the world.
Thank thank you, said the
major, hastily. "Pcrhaps then You
will understand why speak wilhmoro
han my customary freedom. Miss
Wallcrson, was trained in my youth
ul days to such unQucsiioning reycr-
'ncc for woman rs woman that feel
almost like Il thief when | think of ask
ng any woman for her hand and
lcart.n
"Again, major, | must say that your
houghtfulncss and dolicacy do you
lonor,' said Miss Nell, us domurely as |
+ she had never teascd any one in her
ifc.
"'rhank you thank YOU" said the
major again. II would like first to
'Nplain myself, if lmay trouble You for
moment. | am, | believe, an honor. |
'blc man; ! have good business and |
good bank account. | want to de- |
'otc both, and my life beside, to the
cryice OF the sweetest woman that ever
ived. | can not expect her TO love me
Is love her, for she is an angel and
I'M only well, only man"
"a true man. said Miss Nell, still
Is demur2 rs II parson, "is as good rs
else in the world-cvcn us
,ood as II true woman"
'Do you really think SOP" asked the
major. 81 must believe you againstmy
will, but entirely according to my in
lination. Well, the woman whom
owe you know very we'll; no one can
now her better; sho is pure, good,
wcet, noble, tendcr"--
lell.
"Plcaso don't contradict me on this
point" said the major; 81
cally think know-I am sure | do"
"Then," said Miss Nell. "it would
&C very impolite in me to contradict,
ut really
"Really," said the major, 81 am
'eighing my words most carefully and
lean all | say. want to offer her all
am and have, under any conditions
ho may impose. Don't Imagine mo
npulsivo or rash in this matter" con-
nued tho major, extending both his
ands in his earnestness.
81 mean"- What the major wanted
, say was never explained, for Miss
'ell, entirely in accordance with her
wn idea of what the excited man was
'ying TO say, murmured "Enoughm
'll upon the majors brcnst and threw ,
cr arm around the majors neck.
What could the astonishcd man do? ,
What would any gentleman do under /
ich circumstances Miss Alice trippcd ,
ITO tho parlor, found it dark, turned /!
le gas, saw the couple, and exclaimed
"Oh my" =
Her sister looked up into the majors !
zee for n second time, then dropped +
er brow on his shoulder and ex- I
aimed: !
ooh my!" +
And the major, looking down at the ;,
CO before him, now entirely empty of ! !
'guishncss and everything else but l.
I.nr f.....---L Ii a "