The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1886-08-05
A LOVERS QUARTETTE.

A LUVEkS QUAhIEIIE.
"Well. if you can't get your own con-
sent, Mrs. Deery, l suppose you can't"
said Mr.. Perrin. his reproachful gaze
fixed upon the fly promenading the wild
ow's plump wrist. Il had hoped on re-
Election that you would come to consid-
er my proposal favorably, but it seems
you think you couldn't be happy with
me-"
Il couldn't be happy with Roxana.
responded the lady impetuously; then.
checking herself, she flushed like the
woodbine at the window, and in her
turn gazed down upon the itinerating
fly.
''Oh, if you refuse me on account Of
sister, Mrs. Deery, l really can't take
mo- for an answer" cried her sutton
with an encouraged air.
The widows gaze never swerved
from the insect, now chatting its stiff
ened legs upon her thumb.
You'd have no trouble in getting on
with sister, I'll wager" persued the
eager wooer. "You rarely see an even
er-tempered woman"
Yes, that's just it, Mr. Perrin; Rox-
ana's too perfect" broke forth the lady,
brushing away the fly with startling en-
ergy. ut would fidget me to death to
live with her. She's chosen vessel,
nd = n,,1x n1oVr ~
The widow Deery, common clay, in
deed! Mr.. Perrin would have OWNED
the contrary unaided by the officious
sunbeam which darted out at that in
slant to point out her manifold attrac-
tons. Being deeply in love, he took adj
vantage 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
toss of her bewitching brown curls. Il
might care for you"-the tremor in her
voice was very nearly his undoing-"I
might care for you, but l could not
UICdUllC Will llOAStllIt 4HIuA uOW III
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 wished that he and
his mother had staid 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
home of her own? Dear, faithful
Roxana! Could he ever requite her for
those weary years of watchfulness be-
side the couch of his helpless, dying
wife? The full measure of the sacri-
flee he had known at the time, but 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! And to
Mr.. PERKINS, credit be it stated, that in
the ardor of his passion for the little
widow he closed his lips on the disloyal
words that perchance might have won
her, and strobe forth from her cottage
arejected lover.
Mr.. PERKINS, feet had traversed the
meadow and assembled the slope of the
pastare adjoining ere his mind had
caught up with them. Then he MUIR
INJURED half audibly: II wonder wheth-
er Kirby did call this afternoon? When
I saw his team coming over the ridge,
it struck me [ might as well steal of
through the orchard. Considering he's
in the neighborhood looking up old
friends, he can't civilly pass by Roxana
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 impatience,
stood Mr.. Kirby's gay sorrel.
At the spectacle Mr.. PERKINS, hear
bounded within him and he grasped the
topmost raj for support Should he
lead the forgotten horse away to the
stable. or should he by SO doing ap
pear to take too much for granted!
He desired to be hospitable, he desired
to be exceedingly hospitable, but he
must not convey the impression that he
was over-zealous for brother-in-law,
and thus annoy Roxana. Sister was sc
fastidious!
In unprecedented excitement the ha
bitually easy-going. man debated 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 Accordingly he crept quietly
around to the porch door with sur
reptitions glance at the sitting-roon
windsW I'D passing. A brisk fire O
chips revealed TO him his rather prin
blonde sister seated in low rocker be
fore the hearth, and Joel Kirby leaning
against the mantel near her, volubly
discoursing.
They've opened the ball withou
me, gasss," unused the skulking host
ess facetiously. as he hitchedd his char
along to the kitchen stove t.
warm his feet in the oven. ''Seeins
that it's the first visit, must say tina
Joel stays it out well. Unquestionabl.
he means business. What's to prevent
He's first-rate fellow apa7| make
kind husband. If wasn't sure Of tina
l woulln' consent to his having Rox
ana. / should hate to have him TAX
her out to California. hope it is tru
that lie has bought back the old home
stead. Well, we'll, wouldn't like t.
be little mouse in the sitting-roon
wall about this timer"
Could he have had his wish mos
astaniskad little mouse would the wor
thy man have presented.
.sYoq are the most lmorbidly con
scientious person, Roxy, that knio '\
Of" Mr.. Kirby was saying With fr0wl
that scored his forehead with h0fiz0nta
lines like the staff in written music
If could only convince you that
was your duty to become my wife,
shoulg stand some chance of gettini
you; but unluckily tor me, you've cher
ished the notion that YOU must kee
house for your brother until you" =
Brother needs me, !" murmured Mis-
Koxans, tears swelling in her eyes G
.baby blue
"And don't I need youa Haven't
some rightsP During your strlcRel
aister's illness I consented to waiv