The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1884-07-25
out if it was the widow and her daugh.

out if it wa the widow and her daugh- !
| ter.
Il never had any idea of that BEFORE"
said a voice which he recognized as
Charles; mot the least in the world.
He said he hadn't thought anything
about it till to-day. I couldn't find out
who he had in view. hope it isn't old
Miss Sharp. She'd like to get some
body"
The Squire burst into profuse pers-
piration at the thought of having Miss
Sharp for a wife"
HE said he did't see that I ever in
tended to get married." went on
Charley. I didn't tell him l had got a
wife picked out, but / wanted to. I am
sure he would approve of my taste in
making a selection"
what nonsence," laughed a clear,
pleasant voice; "if L am going to be
your wife 1 want you to quit laughing
at me in that sly way, pretending you
are flattering me all the time!"
"His wife! good gracious!"
The squire was SO taken by surprise
that he came near dropping his straw
berries. So it was all settled between
them. And he came near proposing to
his sons intended wife. He felt cold
all over at the thought of it. How
luckey that he did not take Charley in
to his confidence, and tell him who he
intended to marry.
II DECLARE" exclaimed the Squire,
II have made q mistake this time, sure
enough. The rascal got the better of
me. I'd like to know what Tn to do"
H ttTs,,o k,11 1,s-~ 41,1A konl~1 &0 ~,k
married, and if I don't he'll likely as
not mistrust something. Dear mel"
The Squire was in trouble. Another
bright thought occurred to him. There
was the widow. After all, she would
be more suitable for him than Ruth
would have been. she was somewhere
near his own age. A fine woman. A
smart woman. She would make q fine
mistress for his empty house. Why
should he not marry her, since he could
not have her daughter.
"Ill do it," exclaimed the Squire,
bound to go through the matter since
he had got so far. "Ill do it,"
He knocked. The door was opened
10y the Widow, round checked, rosy and
smiling.
"Why, Squire Dudley, good evening"
she exclaimed. hardly knew you at
first, you haven't been in for so long.
Come in; take the rocking chair, and let
me take your hat"
The Widow hustled about and got the
Squire a chair and deposited his hat on
the table before he happened to think
of the basket.
ooh! Ruth told mt yoNr strawberry
crop had proved a failure, so l thought
I'd run over and bring you a few.
Strawberry short-cake don't 60 bad
this time of year"
II am a thousand times obliged to
you," said the Widow taking the bas-
ket. II was so provoked to think that
the hens should spoil mine. Such a
nice lot as 1 would have had.
IF you want amy to preserve, come
over and get EN-" said the Squire
We've plenty of 'em. Mrs. Brown
she won't do anything with 'em, except
as we use them in the season OF them, I
suppose"
Il want to know" exclaimed the
Widow. You ought to have them done
up. They're so nice in the winter. I
would like to get some for jam; and if
Mrs. Brown won't take care of them, l
will do them up on shares"
81 wish you would" said the Squire.
"Things are all going to wreck and
ruin about my place. 'Iaint to be ex-
pected that n hired woman wiiltake any
interest in affairs; and here he sighed
deeply.
NO; that's So"
It was strange that the Squire had
\ ~ fo,,,1 .,,4 4lo4 ,-a,a -,
to wreck and ruin before. Mrs. Brown
{ had been there ever since Mrs. Dudley
, died.
The Squire and the Widow kept up q
} very brisk conversation, and at the end
of an hour he was more deeply in love
with her than her daughter, and began
to wonder how he had been SO blind as
to overlook such a delightful woman for
: so long.
: BY and by the Widow hustled out,
: and presently came back with a pitcher
of last years cider and a plate OF cake.
, do have something to eat and drink, !"
t urged the widow. "If I'd known You
were coming, I'd have made a cherry
pie. l remember that you used to like
: my cherry pies"
! Il wish you'd come and make
, cherry pies for me all your life,'
. blurted out the Squire, turning very
l red in the face again. I'll came
down to ask YOU to marry me, Mrs.
Lee"
4 After which innocent falsehood the
Squire felt decidedly relieved.
I'm sure I'das lief marry yon as any
man." answered the widow, b!ushing
! and looking very pretty.
| Its all settled then" cried the de-
lighted squire and kissed her plump on
her lips just as the door opened, and
Charley and Ruth came in.
e "Allow me to make you acquainted
9 with my new housekeeper," said the
e squire bowling very low to hide his red
0 face.
] "Allow me to present my wife that lie
1 to be-" answered Charley. "You take
, the mother and I'll take the daughter
II am happy to say that, under the
new administration" things are nc
longer going to wreck and ruin.