Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1886-05-21

fortunate, was dancing q dainty quick
step to her own musical accompaniment
suddenly transformed by hot splasheS
Of fruit into n semblance Of her feline
cousin the leopard.
A young girl, flushed and frantic, was
struggling to remove the kettle of
boiling preserves, OF which her brothers
strong hand quickly relieved her.
"Oh, John" she exclaimed, with
painting breath, I'm all a-bubble. just
like the preserves"
Then, catching up tho big gray cat,
she began briskly rubblng its despatched
fur. q
"When will this confoundcd mess be
over, jennie? For nearly three weeks
we've been picked, canned and preserved,
until everything seems to taste and smell
81 spice, sugar and vinegar Aren't you
afraid YOU have undertaken too much
while mothers away"
:" Not at all. I've been very particu-
lar TO follow my recipes. Mrs. Sadie
cooper has given me some useful hints,
md l have a little judgment Of my
OWN. But you have q letter; when
will mamma be homer Such long
visit! But what lot l have done since
she went away
Yes" said John, dryly, glancing at
her wounds with an expression OF
melancholy reproach ia her large, &C.
lestial-looking eyes, and reading from the
letter In his hand.
"'Will reach the city at midnight
Don't fan to meet me there
Why. that Is tonight. Bless her
heart, she's coming at last! But John,
is such long drive! You will not
get back before to-morrow-and-nnd
40 are expecting company, you know,
his evening""
I've are not expecting company, little
lister. l don't think Tom Maxwell will
notice my absence. And will stop ard
get Mira. Cooper to come over and
tny with you until morning. Her hus-
band won't mind keeping house one
night alone; so make me cup of
tea, for l must be Off -
"Oh, dear, I wish J could go, too!
Fell Sadie sho must not fail 10 come.
won't stay here without her"
JOHN and Jennie Kerr were the only
children Of q widow owing and manage
ing the comfortable dairy farm upon
which they had been born.
Mrs. Kerr had been visiting n sister
living In distant city, and during her
absence Jennie had made some wond, r
ful housekeeping experiences, with u
view to entering an establishment Of her
own in the near future. But she loved
her happy home, was coy and willful and
persisted In bar refusal to name the
wedding day.
Her lover had grown impatient; to-
night was the anniversary of their be-
trothal, and he had vowed to have 1t
settled before their engagement entered
its second year.
Jennie had declared she would not be
badgered into anything-she would
die first; and knowing her lover, she
felt strange foreboding for tonight
John drove off In the old family car
riage; and by the time the untidy kitchen
was carefully put to rights. Mrs. Cooper
arrived with her baby and her matronly
dignity. and Jennie felt somewhat re-
assured.
She tied back her yellow curls with a
blue ribbon-the color of her shy, droop-
Ing eyes-and met her lover, who ap-
peared promptly at eight, the curves
OF her scarlet lips marked by sharp
line that indicated the firmncss of her
resolution.
Tom Maxwell played with the baby
and kept up light, running CONVEX
sation, until the little one becoming
tretful, Mrs. Cooper, in spite OF Jennies
remonstranceS, made 1t an excuse to
retire.
But her absence did not alter his
manner in the least. He chatted away
upon every imaginable subject until the
clock struck eleven; then, stopping sud-
len yin them ollie Of some gay badinaac,
he said:
Jennie, 1t lacks just one hour of mid
night. You know my decision. When
will you marry me?"
Utter silence followed this question.
II am waiting for your answer" he
said, at last.
4" shall not hinder you from waiting"
declared jennie. ring Of war in Ger
tones.
- shall wait no longer than"
There that will do. You need wait
no longer!
And here Jennie succeeded in feeling
very much abused, and after some sharp,
bitter words-the usual vocabulary Of a
lovers quarrel-she angrily tore the
engagement ring from her finger, and
haughtily dismissed the one who had
dared to sugge, Rhat there might be
such thing as uen's rights.
He offered to remain in the house
until morning; but she scorned his prof
Tered protection, and he could do nothing
but leave her, saying:
You will be sorry for this, Jennie"
will call you back when / get
sorry" she said, lightly.
And bidding her goodnight. he was
gone.
Then. and not till then. did she realize
t all.
Her anger and PRIZE gave way to a
sense OF loneliness and regret as she
called every word Of the stormy In
terview. and q nervous fear almost
paralyzed her as she rose tremblingly to
lock the door behind him.
The ticking OF the clock sounded like
the strokes on . . lacksmiths anvil.
thrill of terror chilled her blood
rs mouse scampered across the
door.
Her little, cold hand had barely reach
I'd the bolt, when-oh, horror OF horrors
"a deafening report sounded some
where at the back Of the house, and no
longer paralyZed I'm tongue or limb with