West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1884-08-01

over the color flushed yet more high i'm
her somewhat norid cheeks.
''Oid you really succeed i'm selling
that ten-acre lot 10 Mr.. WoodhoflleaP"
she exclaimed "How perfectly splen-
did! Why. Mr. Sharperson, | am posi-
lively getting TO be quite an heiress.
Isn't there some mistaken"
mo-
And the sale is really made?"
Yes"
"for three thousand dollars?"
Yes
MIR. Sharperson. have the greatest
mind | ever had in this world to kiss
you"
DO"
The widow was so astonished at hav-
ing elected monosyllable of such a
character from the bachelor that she
almost forgot TO bride. but fortunately
remembered in time what was expected
of her sex.
Really" she simpered, "vou arc
positively dreadful | wouldn't have
believed it of you"
ity of adding something more shocking.
but Mr. Sharperson had already e2-
ccedcd the ordinary limits OF his habit
ual reticence, and by not unnatural
recoil was now more silent than ever
Il shall soon begin to look out for
fortune hunters. remarked Mrs. Wild
gin, archly. 81 hope you'll protect me
from them when they come"
Mr. Sharperson's looks expressed
such entire willingness to undertake
the defense of his fair client that he ev-
identity did not feel it necessary to put
IL into words.
IL don't know" pursued the widow
gazing abstra "tedly into the fire. ''but
shall have to look about for somebody
to take care of me. What do you say.
Mr.. Sharperson?
"I?n
Certainly; you. You know my bust
ness affairs perfectly and can advise me
better than any body | can think of
Now do be perfectly frank, what say
you to my being married again?"
Nothing"
''Oh, YOU think | ought not TO talk
so plainly about it. Well, very likely
not. but you'll at least allow that there
might be circumstances whi h would
make 1t best for me to marry again"
"Yes."
I've been widow five years, and if
the right man turned up"
She paused with secret desire to
shake the gentleman opposite, to see if
by that operation his taciturn tongue
might not be loosencd.
III echoed he, significantly, as She
paused
why, of course she retorted, "you
Will allow that there must be n riobt
man somewhere, if one could find him -
YES"
And perhaps" continued she
mlscheYlouS smile revealing to the law
yer's eyes quite new dimple, hitherto
wholly unsupported i'm her cheek. ..ond
perhaps you would even let me come ia
you for legal advice in my choice, if |
paid we'll"
Certainly"
swell. then, advise" cried the widow.
desperately
She had been perfectly sure for two
or three months that Mr.. Sharperson
was longing to propose TO her could he
put get the words over his tongue. and
she had said to herself that this after
noon he should do it if feminine viii
could devise way. Anything short
oil deliberately proposing herself she
was prepared to do, and She beyan now
to fear lest she should be forced to even
that extreme measur,.
NOW when everything had been so
admirably worked up to q speokino
point Tor him, instead of utterinr the |
decisive word, the lawyer only smiled |
amorously and was silent. To tell tho |
truth he was rs eager to get the import |
ant question asked as was thc widow
could he but overcome his natural Ia |
comic habit and the bashfulness which |
Just now exaggerated il. Mrs. Wild /
gin 5 mouth set itself trIhe more firm |
~ than before.
That is always the way if one really .
wants advice. If | didn't you'd prob !
ably be ready enough to give it," This |
was so obviously absurd that they both .
smiled, and both, pretending To- move I.
nearer the fire, moved their chairs n .
little nearer together.
81 see, Mrs. Widgin said. with an
air of mock despair, Il shall have to |
make 1t caiechism. DO YOU think I
had better get married; yes or no?'
Yes, ne replied, with significant
Have You any idea of where hal
better look for husband?"
Yes"
y, Good Now we are getting on.
mere.
Here in We,terley? Oh very we'll
Mr.. Sharperson. but who is there in
Nesterley for me to marry? | assure
you wonldn think OF Mr.. Smithers.
with his five small children I never
could endure Mr.. Green, the tailor I'm
sure you can't mean me to marry Mr.
hurch the butcher and Mr.. Stipcb-
held Is too odious for ANYTHING. Yop
see. don { you, that can't marry anv
of them?' guy
eyes 90
Wei, who else is thcre?"
"Mc."
You :"
Me"
IL was done at last, and If the LAWYER
cou.o put have so far conquered the
habit OF half a century Of bashfulness
as To follow up his advantage. every.
thing would have gone on swimmingIy /.
He was however, almost sfupeGod Ly
ms own temerity and while the widow
ON her side Of the fireplace cast her cvos
down coyly. believing that now at least
ne would take the initiative. Mr. Sham
erson ON his side none the less ablInI
MS chances out OF sheer Ia ID ff,T,,...