The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1886-07-21
CROSS PURPOSES.

eoio III. ICIliu, LIS iSpiOdCAAut SoGS
fixed upon the fly promenading the
Widows plump wrist. II had hoped on
reflection, you'd come to consider my
proposal favorably, but it seems you think
you couldn't be happy with me-"
~ couldn't be happy with Roxanna,"
responded the lady, impetuously; then,
checking herself, she flushed like the
woodbnc at the window, and in her turn
gazed down upon the itinerating fly.
ooh, if you refuse me en- account of
sister, Mrs. Deery, really can't take NO
for an answer" cried her suitor, looking
Up with an encouraged air.
The widows gaze never swerved from
the insect, now chatting its stiffened little
legs upon her thumb.
"You'd have no trouble in getting on
with sister, I'll wage" pursued the
eager wooer. "You rarely see an evener-
tempered woman"
-'Yes, that's just it, Mr.. Perrin. Rox-
anna's too perfect" broke forth the lady,
brushing away the fly with startling en-
ergy. ''It would 6dget me to death to
live with her. She's chosen vessel, and
Pm only common clay"
The widow Deery common clay, in
deed Mr.. Perrin would have OWNED
the contrary unaided by the offic:ous sun
beam which darted in at that instant to
point ont her manifold attractions. Be-
ing deeply in love, he took advantage of
his opportunity to pay a.handsome COM
pliment and to renew his suit.
For one intoxicating moment his fair
listener wavered, but the moment passed.
t'Hush, please, Mr.. Perrin Don't say
any more about it" cried she, with a
wilful toss of her bewitching brown curls.
81 might care for you"-the tremor in
her voice was very nearly his undoing-
81 might care for you, but I coulan't
breathe with Roxanna. Think how my
little 10y would worry her! She Won!dn't
speak an unkind word, but every time he
left sticky fnger-prints on door should
feel that she was wishing that he and
his mother had staid away"
81 might Mr.. Perrin paused,
shocked at his base impulse. Had he
actually been about to remark that he
might provide sister with another home7
Sister, who, but for devotion to his inter-
sst,, might now be matreni ing house
hold of her own3 Dear, faithful Rox
anna! Could he ever requite her for
those weary years of watching beside the
couch of his helpless, dying wife! The
full measure of her self-sacriice he had
not known ut the time, but he now had
no doubt that for Climena's sake and his
she had discarded Joel Kirby. No, no :;
sister should never be requested to vacate
the dwelling over which she had ruled so
long and so WE'LL AM to Mr.. Perrin's
credit be it stated, that in the ardor of
bis passion for the little widow he closed
his lips upon the disloyal words that per-
chance might have won her, and strodc
forth from her cottage rejec ed lover.
''If Kirby should want Royanna now
IS much as, according to accounts, he
wanted her before he went to California,
why, it might straighten things" unused
he, :plodding despondently along the path
through the fields; ''but they say he has
his eye on his cousin Martha. Naturally
he would be looking for somebody
younger than sister: she has f. ded
There's an odls in women" And the
lovers thoughts reverted to the buxom
widow, little younger than Roxanna, yet
no more faded than morning glory at
sunrise.
Mr.. Perrin's feet had traversed the
meadow and ascended the slope of the
pasture adjoining the highway ere his
mind caught up with them. Then he
murmured, half audibly: IL wonder
whether Kirby did call this afternoon?
When I saw his team coming over the
idge, it struck me might as we'll steal
off through the orchard. Considering
he's in the neighborhood looking up his
old friends, he can't civilly pass by Rox-
anna; and wouldn't be hinderance in
case"
His soliloquy merged in low thistle
Of satisfaction. He had reached the bsrS
opposite his own gate, and at the gate,
his fore-feet deep in hollow paw,d by
their impatience, stood Mr.. Kirbys gay
sorrel
At the spectacle Mr.. Perrin's heart
- bounded within Kim, and he clutched
the topmost rail :or support. Should
he lead the forgotten horse away to the
stable, or should he by so doing appear
to take too much for granted2 He dc
sired to be b. spitab!e, he desired to be
exceedingly hospitable, but he must not
convey the impression that he was over
Jealous for brother-in-law, and thus
annoy Roxanna. Sister wa so fastid-
ious!
In unprecedented excitement the
habitualiy easy going man deba ed with
in himself regarding the course of con-
duct beftting this exceptional occasion,
and finally Judged it best to interfere
with the probable wooing in no particu-
lar. Acc Drding!y 1e crept quietly around
to the porch door, with surreptitiou,
glance at the sitting groom in passing A
brisk fire of chips revealed to him his
rather prim blonde sister seated in low
rocker before the hearth, and Joel Kirby
leaning against the mantel near her,
volubly discoursing.
They've opened the ball without me,
I guess" unused the skulking host, face
tiously, as he hitched his chair along to
the kitchen stove to warm his feet in
the oven. Seeing that it's the first
visit, must say joel stays it out well.
Uneuestionably he means business.
WHAT'S to prevent9 He's first-rate fel
low, end III make kind husband. If
wasn't sure of that wouldn't consent tc
his having Roxanna. I should hate t.
have him take her out to california.
hope it's true that he has bought bach
the old homestead. Well, well, wouldn'
/ like to be little mouse in the sitting
room wall about this time2"