The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1885-01-07

get the words over MS tongue, u she
had said to herself that this afternoon he
should do it if feminine wit could devise
a way. Anything short of deliberately
proposing herself she was prepared to do
and she began now to fear lest she
should be forced to even that extreme
measure.
Now when everything had been so adj
mirably worked up to a speaking point
for him, instead of uttering the decisive
word the lawyer only smiled and was
silent. To tell the truth he was as eager
to get the important question asked as
was the widow, could nc but overcome
his natural ~laconic habit and the bash
fulncss which just now exaggerated it.
Mrs. Widgin's mouth set itself a tritle
more firmly than before.
THAT is always the way if one really
wants advice. If l didn't you'd proba-
bly, be ready enough to give it." This was
so obviously absurd that they both
smiled, and both, pretending to move
nearer the fire, moved their chairs a little
nearer together. .
81 sec" Mrs. Widgin said, with an ali
of mock despair, 81 shall have to make
it a catcchism. Do you think had bet
ter get married: yes or no."
YES he replied, with a significant
smile.
''lIavc you any idea where l had bet
ter look for 4 husband:'
YES"
Good! Now we are getting on.
Where is it,"
"Hcre.'
Here in Westerly? On, very well,
Mr.. Sharpcrson, but who is there in Yves
terly for me to marry: l assure you |
wouldn't think of Mr.. Smithers, with
his five small children; l never could en-
dure MI. Green, the tailor: I'm sure you
don't mean me to marry Mr.. Church, the
butcher; and Mr.. Stinchtield is too obi,
us for anything. You see, don't you,
that ! can't marry any one of them?"
"Yes."
"Well, who else is there?"
s'Mc."
"You.w
''Me."
1t was done at last, and if the lawyer
could but have so far conquered the habit
of half a century of bashfulness as to fol-
low up his advantage, everything would
have gone on swimingly.
He was, however, almost stupeied by
his own temerity, and while the widow
on her side of the fireplace cast her eyes
down coyly. believing that now at least
he would take the initiative, Mr.. Sharp
| erson on his side none the less abased
his chances out of sheer b%ashfulness.
'Heavens!" thought the widow, silly
accommodating out of the corner of her
eye, ''have l got to get up and rush into
his arms2 Was there ever so aggravat-
ing Il mar crcatcdl"
She coughed softly, she patted the
hearth with her trim slipper tip, secretly
determined that nothing short OF the most
absolute desperation should make her
break the silence this time.
At length when there seemed an emf
neut prospect hat the pair would con-
sumo the remainder of their mortal OK.
istence in staring wordlessly into the
Goals, and just as the widow reached that
point when she felt that she must speak
or 60 mad, Mr.. Sharperson did renew
the conversation.
"Well" he queried.
"Well" she echoed.
'Eh!'
The lawyer was wholly unprepared
for having the burden of the talk thrown
upon him, and beyond this rather inco-
herent exclamation could say nothing.
The widow looked at the fire and looked
at her tacitnrn "c5ei.
IL must saw" she observed, with a
touch of sarcasm in her voice, that |
have seen more ardent lovers"
Mr.. Sharperson looked rather abashed
at this, and indeed began to feel that If
his suit for the rich widow'a hand was to
have any chance whatever of success it
must be urged with more vigor. He
aroused himself by great effort and with
some warmth:
THAT showed it more"
Come" the widow thought with
some complacency, eve are getting on:
it is something to elicit a speech of that
length from him."
Aloud she said:
VERY we'll, that showed it more, if
you will. How am l to judge" she con-
tinued, smiling, and glancing up in a
manner which no man with blood in his
veins could have resisted, how am l to
Judge but by what l see?"
For reply Mr.. Sharperson committed
the most remarkable deed of his entire
life. He rose from his chair with the
utmost de%liberation, took a step across
the wide hearthrug to the side of his
hostess, threw his arms around her neck
and kissed her with great heartiness and
apparent satisfaction
"Mercy!" cried Widow Widgin,
making Intellectual efforts to disengagc
herself. "Who gave you leave to kiss
me? l never saw such impudence."
But the other, having once tasted the
sweets Of her lips apparently enjoyed
them far too we'll to abandon the feast so
easily. and proceeded with JUNCTION to
kiss her again.
81 declare" she exclaimed, yielding
with good grace to what she evidently
could not help, ''by the way you 60 on
one would actually think VIC were cn-
gagged
Whereupon the lawyer gazed at her
with great satisfaction, and proprietor
ship shining in his %twinkling black
eyes.
1--WE are" he said Boston Courier.