Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1886-10-23
A LOVERS QUARTET.

A LOVERS QUARTET.
swell, if you can't get your own con
sent, Mrs. Deery, suppose you can't,
said Mr.. Perrin, his reproachful gaz,
fixed upon the fly promensding tn,
widows plump wrist. Il had hoped OF
reflection you had come to consider my
proposal favorably, but it seems yor
think yo" couldn't be happy with me.
IL couldn't be happy with Roxanna.,
responded the lady, impetuously; ther
checking herself, she flushed like the
woodbine at the window, and in her turn
gazed down at the itinerating fly.
''Oh, if you refuse me on account o.
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 chafing its stifened 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
tempered woman"
ayes, that's just it, Mr.. Perrin; Rox-
anna's too perfect" broke forth the lady,
brushing away the fly with startling en-
ergy. at would fidget me to death to
live with her. She's chosen vessel, and
I'm only common clay"
The widow Deery common clay, in
deed! Mr.. Perrin would have OWNED
the contrary unaided by the ofiicinus
sunbeam which darted in at that instant
to point out her manifold attractions
Being deeply in love, he took advantage
Of his opportunity to pay a 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 it!' cried she, with a
willful toss of her bewitching brown
curls. Il might care for you''-the tre-
NOR in her voice was very nearly his un-
doiug-"I might care for you, but 1
couldn't breathe with Roxanna. Think
how my little boy would worry her! She
wouldn't speak an unkind word, but ev-
cry time he left sticky fiugerprints Oh a
door should feel that she was wishing
that he and his mother had staid away"
II might" Mr.. Perrin paused,
checked at his base impulse. Had he
actually been about to remark that he
might provide sister with another home?
sister, who, but for the devotion to
his interests, might now be mstronizing
household Of her own? Dear, faithful
Roxanna! 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 at the time, but he now
had no doubt that for Cimens's sake
and his she had discarded Joel Kirby.
No, no; sister should never be requested
to vscate the dwelling over which she
had ruled 90 long and 30 well. And to
Mr.. Perrin's credit be it stated, that in the
ardor of his passion for the little widow
ha closed his lips upon the disloysl words
that perchance might have won her, and
strobe forth from her cottage rejected
lover.
"If Kirby should want Ro1ana now as
much as, according to accounts, he
wanted her before he went to California,
why, it might straighten things" unused
he, ploading deepondertly along the
path through the fields; shut they say
he has his eye on his cousin Martha.
Naturally he would be looking for some
body younger than sister; she has faded
There's an odds in women" And the
lovers thoughts reverted to the buxom
widow, little younger than Roxanna, yet
no more faded than morning glory ct
sunrise.
Mr.. PERKINS, feet had traversed the
meadow and assembled the slope of the
pasture adjoining the highway ere his
mind caught up with him. Then he
murmured half audibly: II wonder
whether Kirby did call this afternoon
When I saw his team coming over the
ridge, it struck me ! might as well steal
Oh through the orchard. Considering
he's in TIE neighborhood looking up his
old friends, he cant civilly pass by Ro1-
anna; and wouldn't be hinderance in
Case-"
His soliloquy merged in . low whistle
& satisfaction. He had reached the
ban opposite his own gate. and at the
gate. his forefeet deep in hollow paved
III 6sir impatience, stood Mr.. Kirby's |
- so.rsl.
- the spectacle Mr.. Perrin's heart |
n6ed Within him, and he clutchsd |
~ enpnost rail Tor support. Shonld
~ ~ forgottsn horse away 10 the
- dhouA b BY % doing appear
~ nod abe erantadi He d.