Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1884-12-31
Miss Whitman oolored under al the


Miss Whitman colored under al the
rice powder.
*But, deacon, she stammered, @what
i dons love the man? What if I love
another who =
Then don't accept him, said the dea-
con. But, : suddenly becoming cleo
tric&lly aware Of his danger as Miss
Valeria moved her chair little closer
TO his, my horse is gettin' dreadfully
Uneasy outside. I guess I'll be going.
No, thank you,' as Miss Whitman took
up the plate Of cake. 81 don't never.
eat nothin' except at my reg'lar meals.
Good morning"
And thus the deacon escaped.
Squire Hart was the next to put in an
appearance heavy, somber gentle
man. who was slightly deaf, and who
sat solidly down in the big chair.
aAh, Squire" simpered Valeria,
there Is sort of fitness in your call
ing here, isn't there?"
aMa'am?' said the Squire, and the
sentence had to be repeated one degree
louder. ssi-.
"Oh, yesl" said the squire. eyes,
exactly. I understand. But why?"
Because we are both so solitary"
smiled Miss Whitman.
The squire put his hand back of his
ear. -
would you repeat it little loud
er?" said he. "Oh, soitaryl Yes!"
IF he should marry me-" thought
| Miss Whitman, "the very first thing I
shall insist upon will be an ear trum-
pet" -" u.
@Does your soul ever sigh for con-
genial cempanionship?" said she in
high falsetto. Mine doesl" -
The squire's heavy face ightened
little.
miss Whitman" said he, with an
unctuous chuckle, "may I contide in
your" y
Miss Whitman's heart gave an upward
leap. IT,"
"Certainly," she answered.
"Well, then," said the squire, Sim
gom' to hev congenial companionship
after the first of next month. I'm goin
to be married to Cornelia Cooper!'
"Ohp said Miss Whitman, feeling
as if some one had violently boxed her
ears. "I-I'm sure congratulate your
"Hey" said the squire, leaning for
ward.
II -gratu-late you'll" bawled
Miss Whitman.
mo cake for me-" said the squire.
I'm little troubled with dyspepsy.
But Cornelia's a smart, stirring girl,
and home like mine needs q mistress.
So I've concluded to get married and I'm
very glad you approve of my idea."
And the squire departed, chuckling
all the way to the front gate.
II never saw such deaf old fool in
my ife!" cried Miss Valeria, aloud. Eth !!
what's that noise? II it's the cat Jump
ing at my canary again But it sounded
like some one laughing, and cats don't
laugh. Who's that? Philo Lusk, de-
clare! Well, he's likely young fellow
not as rich as Squire Hart. maybe, but
- Oh, come in, Mr.. Lusk-come in :!
1 am so glad to see you'll Lovely day,
isn't it Do have little cake-or just a
drop OF my own currant wine!" {
Philo Lusk sat down, with his hat in
his lap. q:
Il received your card, Miss Valeria, -
said he, "and am here in response to il"
$50 kind of you!' said MISS Whit
man, with smile which even the
tabled "Cats of Cheshire" could not ex-
eel, although they are reported to be
good at smiling.
ITO tell the truth" said honest Phi
10, Il wanted little talk with you"
"Indeed!" said the lady. won't you
come here and sit by me on the sofy !
It's more sociab]e like"
"Oh, yes, if You like" said Philo,
obeying her GESTURE of invitation. "You
see, my mother is getting feebler every
day, and we feel the need of some
younger person at the farm. And I am
eight-and-twenty now, and the place is
in prime order, and I've money at in
terest, SO that I've pretty much made up
my mind to marry"
Miss Valeria let the pulled and frizzed
head fall on his shoulder.
dearest Philol" she exclaimed.
~Yes-exactlyr" said Philo Lusk,
moving as far away as the arm of the
sofa would allow. $50. if you thought
that your niece Bella would have me-"
my niece Bella!" gasped the elder
lady, the immovable bloom never alter
ing on her face, although her heart beat
wildly and her lips blanched. ... d,
Yes" said Philo. II hoped to have
seen her here to-day"
"No!" said Miss Valeria, sharply,
@She has gone away; and if she hadn't,
she wouldn't accept you'll"
"1s-is she engaged to some one else ?"
stammered poor Philo.
"Yes," said Miss Whitman-@to Peter
Gregson. But, Philo, do not grieve;
am ready to entertain your suit, al
though Bella despises you, and"
aBut she doesn't, aunty !" said clear,
distinct voice and Bella herself entered
from the adjoining room. "On the con-
trary, she loves Philo Lusk dearly; and
sherefused Peter Oregon, as you know
very well. Oh, Philo," with reproach-
full glance at her lover, would you have
believed her falsehoods?"
How came you here?" scream ed
Miss Whitman.
: Il went to Mrs. Willett's house," said
Bella, "and she had gone to spend the
holidays with her niece at Medbury.
So I came home; and not wishing to
disturb you, I sat down at my work in
the kitchen. And the door was partly
open, and couldn't help. hearing the
interviews between yourself and your
elderly visitors, aunty. And once
laughed out loud, and you thought it
was the cat"
! "You are a deceitful minxl" cried
Miss Valeria, nearly suffocating with
indignation.
"Gently, gentlyn said Philo Lusk.
interposing in Bella's defense. mo
calling of names, pleasel' .s ~. ~.
"You shan't stay in my house another
day J" added the indignant lady.
"Then she shall come to mine |" boldly
asserted Philo Lusk. "Come, Bella,
darling-my sleigh is at the door, and
it holds exactly two. We'll go to Parson
Meadows and get married this very
hourl" ~. 5ss3
And they did SO; and Mrs. Luak,
| senior who waa waiting a. Tho forr, .