St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-01-02


there was not widower, or old bachelor.
or eligible swain in Cedarvills who was
omitted from the list.
Il amt as young as was" said Miss
Whitman to herself. Its high time !
took steps to establish myself"
So she put fresh muslin curtains to the
windows. made herself a new gown ac
eording te the latest fashiOn-plate, and
prepared for the festive initial day Of the
year.
Miss Valera Whitman had passed her
45th birthday. She was stout and ruddy,
with the very best set of teeth that the Ce-
darville dentist could supply. and she was
very tired Of living alone aud sewing on
yeststo earn her pin-money. She had de-
termined on this particular occasion to
make a coup d'etat and win husband.
So she attired herself on New Years day
in green satin dress. cut low in the neck
and short in the sleeves. and pinned q
bunch OF chrysanthemums at her left
side and pulled her hair in the most elabo-
rate fashion.
Il do declare" said Miss Val to herself,
81 don't look day over 90"
Deacon FolgrOve was the first to arrive
hard-handed. hard-headed old man, with
complexion of leather and the keenest OF
black eyes.
Il got letter from you. Miss Whitman"
said he Il suppose you want to consult
me on business"
La, deacon, what verv strange idealH
said Miss Whitman, with giggle. mo, in
deed; L only wish 10 promote sociability at
this festive season."
well. then, guess I'd better be go
ing" said the deacon. crispIy. al haint
got no time for no SIGN fOolery."
Don't be IN hurry, Deacon" said Miss
Whitman. Il do wish to consult YOU"
About what?" said the deacon, looking
doubiOOsiy at the chilled shoulders and pur-
pie arms of the lady.
''Marriager' said Miss Whitman. ''Would
you advise me. dear deacon, to commit my
future to the hands of another?"
''Eh?" said the deaeod. Had an ofer?"
Yes" said Miss Whitman, driven by his
directness into an absolute lie.
Then if / was you" said the deacon.
I'D accept it; cause 1t amt likely you'll
have many Of EN-"
Miss Whitman colored under the rice
powder.
but. deacon" she stammered. ''what
If don't love the man? What IL love
another who"
Then don't accept him." said the dea-
con- But" suddenly becoming aware Of
his danger, as Miss Valeria moved her chair
little clc'er TO his. my horse Is gettin'
dreadful uneasy; guess I'll be goin'. No,
thank YOU" as Miss Whitman took up a
plate OF cake. Il don't never eat nothin'
except at my regular meals. Good morn
imp
And thus The deacon escaped.
"Ehl what's that noise? If it's the cat
jumping at my canary again-but it
sounded like some one laughing, and cats
don't laugh. Who's that? Philo Lusk, /
declared 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 youl Lovely day, isn't it?"
Philo Lusk sat down with his hat in his
lap.
81 received your card, Miss Vaieria. {"
said he. land am here in response to ii. -
$50 kind of your said Miss Whitman, with
a smile which not even the tabled eats Of
Cheshire" could excel, although they are re-
ported TO be good at smiling.
ITO tell the truth" said honest Philo,
81 wanted little talk with you"
''IndeedP' said the lady. won't you
come here and sit beside me on the sofa?
It's more sociable like"
''Oh, yes, if you like" said Philo, obey
ing her gestures of invitation. ''YOu see,
my mother is getting feebler every day,
and we feel the need of young person at
the farm. 1 am % now. and the place is
in prime order. and I've money at interest,
so Pve pretty much made up my mind to
marry"
Miss Valera let the pulled and frizzled
head fall on his shoulder.
Dearest Philo!" she exclaimed.
''Yes-exactly," said Philo. moving as
far away as the arm of the sofa would al
low. 80 if you thought your niece Bella
would have me"
MY niece Bellap' gasped the lady, the
immovable bloom never altering on her face
although her heart beat wildly and her lips
blanched.
Yes" said Philo: 81 hoped to have
seen her here to-day"
mo" said Miss Valera, sharply. ''She
has gone away; if she hadn't she wouldn't
accept YOU"
Isis she engaged to some one else?"
stammered poor Philo.
Yes" said Miss Whitman, Ito Peter
Gregson. But, Philo. do not grieve; am
ready to entertain your suit, though Bella
despiSes you"
''But she doesn't auntyr' said a clear.
distinct voice, and Bella herself entered the
room. ION the contrary. she loves Philo
Lusk dearly; and she refused Peter Greg
sui. a. YOU hnOW very wen. O0. 1nuO,
with reprOachful glance at her lover.
would you have believed her falsehoods?"
''How came you here?" screamed Miss
Whitman.
Il went to Mrs. Willet's house." said
Bella, land she had gone to spend the hoI-
idays with her niece at Medbury. So i
came home"
''YOu are dreadful minxIo cried Miss
Valera, nearly suffOcated with indigna-
ton.
Gently" said Philo Lusk. interposing IN
Bella's defense. mo calling names,
please"
''And you shan't stay in my house an
other dayr' added the indignant lady.
Then she shall come TO miner boldly
asserted Philo Lusk. ''COme, Bella, my
sleigh is at the door and it holds exactly
two. Wen go to Parson Meadows and get
married this very hour"
And they did so; and Mrs. Lusk, Sr., who
was waiting at the farm house to receive
her son, was delighted beyond measure.
''If il hadn't been me-" said Bella, laugh
ing. mischieyously, lit would have been
Amt Val, for she was determined to marry
Phiio."
1.-The Lord Forbid" said Mrs. Lusk.
piously.
'.And after this" said Philo, as he led
his bride in, 1.-The first day of the year will
be double anniversary-the happiest Of
happy New Years to us-eh, Bella?"