The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1885-01-03
if L don't love the man? What if love

aWdIC Va Ills uduRcI DIS III lSo
Valeria moved her chair little closer
to his, any horse is gettin' dreadfully
Uneasy outside. guess I'll be going.
No, thank you," as Miss Whitman took
up the plate of cake. Il don't never
eat nothin' except at my regular 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.
"Ah, Squire" simpered Valeria,
there is a sort.of fitness in your call
ing here, isn't there?7
"Ma'am?' said the Squire, and the
sentence had to be repeated one degree
louder.
"Oh, yesl" said the squire. "Yes,
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
err" said he. "Oh, solitary Yesl'
IF he should marry me-" thought
Miss Viii man. 'the very first thing [
shall insist upon will be an ear trum-
pet"
Does your soul ever sigh for CON
/ genial companIonship?" said she in a
high falsetto Mine doesr
The squire's heavy face ightened
little.
Miss Whitman" said he, with an
unctuous chuckle, may | confde in
| you?"
Miss Whitman's heart gave an upward
leap.
Certainly" she answered.
"Wel, then" said the squire, I'm
goin' to hev congenial companionship
after the first of next month. Pm goin
to be married to Cornelia Cooperl"
"Ohl" said Miss Whitman, feeling
as if some one had violently boxed her
ears. Tim sure congratulate your
"Hey?" said the squire, leaning for
ward.
Il gratu-late your bawled
Miss Whitman.
No cake Tor me-" said the squire.
I'm little troubled with dyspepsy.
| But Corneha's q smart, stirring girl,
and home like mine needs mistress.
SO I've concluded to get married and Pm
very glad you approve of my idea"
And the squire departed, chucking
all the way to the front gate.
! Il never saw such a deaf old fool in
my life !" cried Miss Valeria, aloud. Eli
what's that noise2 If it's the cat Jump
/ ing at my canary again But it sounded
ike some one laughing, and cats don't
laugh. Who's that? Philo LusIl [ de-
clare! Well, he's likely young fellow
not as rich as Squire Hart, maybe, but
- Oh, come in, Mr.. Lusk-come in!
| am so glad to see you'll Lovely day,
isn't it Do have little cake-or just a
drop of my own cuTant winep
| Philo Lusk sat down, with his hat in
his lap.
L received your card, Miss Valeria,'
said he, and | am here in response to it.
$50 kind of youi" said Miss Whit
man, with a smile which even the
tabled Cats of Cheshire" could not ex-
eel, although they are reported to be
good at smiling.
TO tell the truth" said honest Phi
10, Il wanted little talk with YOU"
"Indeed!" said the lady. Wont you
come here and sit by me on the sofy
! It's more socisble 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 [ am
ight-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 Valera let the pUffed and frizzed
head fall on his shoulder.
! Dearest Philop she exclaimed.
~Yes-exactlyp 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 Bellal" gasped the elder
lady, the immovable bloom never alter
ing on her face, although her heart beat
wildly and her lips blanched.
Yes" said Philo. Il hoped to have
seen her here to-day"
mol" said Miss Valeria, sharply.
"Sne has gone away; and if she hadn't,
she wouldn't accept you'll"
Isis she engaged to some one else?"
stammered poor Philo.
Eyes" said Miss Whitman-"to Peter
Gregson. But, Philo, do not grieve; I
am ready to entertain your suit, al
though Bella despises you, and"
But 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 Gregson, as you know
very well. Oh, Philo," with reproach-
full glance at her lover, would you have
| believed her falsehoOds?"
How came you here?" screamed
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 [ came home; and not wishing to
disturb you, 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 I
laughed ont loud, and you thought it
was the cat"
You are a deceitfuI mink! !" cried
Miss Valera, nearly suffocating with
Indignation.
Gently, gentIyp said Philo Lusk.
interposing in Bellas defense. mo
calling of names, pleasep
You shan't stay IN my house another
day." 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 hol IS exactly two. Well go to Parson
Meadows and get married this very
hourl"
And they did SO; and Mrs. Lusk,
senior, who was waiting at the farm
house door to receive her son, was de-
lighted beyond measure.
'If it hadn't been me-" said Bella,
laughing mischievously, sit would have
been Aunt Val; for she was determined
to marry Philoi"
THE Lord Forbid" said Mrs. Lusk,
piously.
"And after this said Philo as he lad