St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-11-18
WIDOW AND MAID.

fly prOmenading the widows plump wrist
Il had hoped on reflection you'd come to
consider my proposal favorably, but it
seems you think you couldn't be happy
with me-"
Il couldn't be happy with RoXanna," re-
sponded that lady. impetuously; then check
ing herself, she flushed like the woOdbine
at the window, and in her turn gaZed down
at the itinerating fly.
''0h, if you refuse me on account of
sister, Mrs. Deery, L really can't take No
for an answer" cried her sutton, looking
up with an encouraged air.
The Widows gaze never swerved from the
insect, now chatting its stitfened little legs
upon her thumb.
You'd have no trouble in getting on with
sister. I'll wager" pursued the eager
wooer. You rarely see an evener tenn
pered woman"
Yes. that's just it, Mr.. Perrin; Roxan-
mas too perfect" broke forth the lady,
brushing away the fly with startling en-
ergy. 1T would fidget me TO death to live
with her. She's chosen vessel and l am
only common clay"
The widow Deery common clay, indeed!
Mr.. Perrin would have OWNED the con-
trary unaided by the officious sunbeam
which darted in that instant to point out
her manifold attractions. Being deeply in
love he took advantage of his opportunity
to pay handsome compliment and to renew
his suit.
For one Intoxicating moment his fair
listener wavered, but the moment passed.
Hush, please. Mr.. Perrin! Don't say
any more about itp' cried she, with wilful
toss of her bewitching brown curls. II
might care for you"-the tremOr in her
voice was very nearly his undoing-'I
might care for you. but l couldn't breathe
with Roxanna. Think how my little boy
would worry her. She wouldn't speak an
unkind word. but every time he left sticky
finger prints on door l should feel that
she was wishing that he and his mother
had stayed away"
Il might'-Mr. Perrin paused. shocked
at his base impulse. Had he actually been
about to remark that he might provide
sister with another hOme?-Sister, who but
for devotion to his interests might
now be matrOniZing household of
her own? Dear, faithful ROxanna Could
he ever requite her for those weary years
of watching beside the couch of his help
less, dying wife? The full measure of
her self sacrifice he had not known at the
time, but he now had no doubt that but for
Climenas sake and his she had discarded
Joel Kirby. No no; sister should never be
requested to vacate the dwelling over which
she had ruled 50 long and so well! And to
Mr.. PERKINS, credit be it stated that in the
ardor of his passion for the little widow he
closed his lips upon the disloyal words that
perchance might have won her, and strobe
from her cottage rejected lover.
much as, according to accounts. he wanted
her before he went to California, why it
might straighten things" unused he, plodd-
ing 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 faded. There's an odds in women"
And the lovers thoughts reverted to the
buxom widow, little younger than RoXana,
yet no more faded than morning glory at
sunrise.
Mr.. PERKINS, feet had traversed the
meadow and assembled the slope of the pas
ture adjoining the highway ere his mind
caught up with them. Then he murmured
half audbly: Il wonder whether Kirby
did call this afternoon. When 1 saw his
team coming over the ridge it struck me |
might as well steal off through the orchard.
Considering he's in the neighborhoOd look
ing up old friends. he can't civilly pass by
Roxanna, and l wouldn't be hindrance in
case -"
His SOlilOquy merged into low whistle
of satisfaction. He had reached the bars
opposite his own gate, and at the gate, his
fore feet deep in hollow paved by their
Impotence, stood Mr.. Kirby's gray sorrel.
At the spectacle Mr. PERKINS, heart
bounded within him, and he clutched the
topmOst rail fol support. Should he lead
the forgotten horse away to the stable. or
should he by so doing appear to take too
much for granted? He desired to be hos
ptable-he desired to be exceedingly hos
pitable-but he must not convey the i'm
preston that he was Over-zealOuS for a
brother in-law and thus annoy RoXanna.
Sister was so fastidiouS.
In an unprecedented excitement the
habitually easy-gOing man debated with
himself regarding the course of conduct be-
fitting this exceptional occasion, and finally
judged it best TO interfere with the proba-
bic wooing in no particular. Accordingly
he crept around to the porch door quietly,
with a SurreptitiouS glance at the sitting
room window in passing. a brisk fire of
chips revealed to him his rather prim blonde
sister seated in a low rocker before the
hearth. and Joel Kirby leaning against the
nantel near her volubly dlscoursing.
They've opened the ball without me. /
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 il out well. Unquestionably he
means business. What's to prevent? He's
a first-rate fellow, and III make kind hus-
band. If ] wasn't sure of that | wouldn' t
consent to his having RoXanna. l should
hate to have him take her out to California.
| hope it's true that he has bought back the
old homestead. Well, well. wouldn't like
to be little mouse i'll the sitting-room wall
about this timew
Could he have had his wish most as
founding little mouse would the worthy man
have impersonated.
You are the most morbidly conscien-
tious person. Roxy. that L know Of" Mr..
Kirby was saying, with frown that scored
his forehead with horizontal wrinkles like
the staff in written music. IF could only
convince you that it was your duty to be
my wife l should stand some chance of
getting you, but. unluckily for me, you've
cherished this notion that you ought to
keep house for you brother till YOU
Brother needs me-" murmurred Miss
Roxanna, tears swelling in her eyes of
baby blue"
And don't i need you? Haven't some
rights? During your stricken sisters sick
ness | consented to waive these. but now
she is gone and l want YOU"
Don't, Joel, don't"
Il tell you do. and l can't help it.
cried Mr.. Kirby with grim humor. When
l couldn't move you by letter l resolved I'd
come and speak for myself. You used to
say you loved me, Roxy. Can't you''-
You know plenty of other ladies. Joel,
younger and more pleasing" faltered Miss