Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1886-10-22

lie WOulu caIEy HeT OH III splle VI Hls
rival or the deacon either. A week
passed by, and Jenny was never out Of
Hiram's thoughts. One day he went to
the village, and while there. standing
in front Of the postoffice, Elnathan Rog-
ers drove by with the deacon's mare.
81 s'pose now he's got Jenny he
thinks he's got right to the whole
property" muttered Hiram. 81 wish to
gracious the old mare would put her
feet through the dashboard!'
That night the singing school met at
the Academy. Hiram came late. He
used to sit with the tenors just behind
Jenny Bates. Now he chose a different
seat, and tried hard to sing bass. He
could not, however, help seeing Elna-
than Rogers pass peppermint lozenges
to Jenny, and also write something OIL
the blank leaf of her singing book which
she read and answered. "Of course he
will 90 home with her tonight"
thought Hiram. eth be the first time
I've missed it for year. He's welcome,
though" All intcrmssion he kept his
seat, and pretended TO be worry busy
looking for some tune in his singing
book that refused to he found. Jenny
did not look at him. The doxology
closed .he school at last, AMI there was
a grand bustling about the door, aud an
eager pushing among The young men to
make sure of their favorites. Hiram
was trying to make his way through the
crowd, when he found himself at the
elbow of Jenny Bates, and the same mo-
ment tie hateful voice of Elnathan Rog-
ers was heard in the words "Sball |
see you home tonight, Miss Bates?'!
"No, sir" was the prompt answer.
al shall walk home alone"
Hiram was totally unprepared for
this. "Perhaps it's one of her fits" he
said to himself. "rhe deacon said she
had 'em; tina. nobody knew but him
self. I'm glad she mittened him,
though" The word mitten reminded
Hiram that he had left both OIL his seat
in the school-room, and he stepped back
Just as the candles were being put out.
"Here's Jenny Bates singing book" 1"
he heard one boy say to another. "Shc
went off in such hurry tonight she
forgot IT," "Give it to me-" said Hiram,
who remembered what had taken place
that evening, and with eager look
sought out the written messages that
had passed between Jenny and his rival.
They were as follows:
"Tell your father he cheated me when /
bought old Jenny. thought by her name
she must be good for something, but she
kicks and bites ten times worse than he ever
told me. / wish now had spoken for the
Jenny in the house instead OF the one in the
barn."
And the answer:
al guess the horse is as good as you deserve.
AS for you choosing betwixt the two you
mention you won't be able TO do that this
year. You have got the only Jenny You can
ever get from my father"
A light broke in upon Hiram. "Well
Of all the internal fools ever heard of
am the biggest! It's not too late now,
thank heaven The departing crowd
started as Hiram with the slnging-book
in his hand rushed down the stairs, two
at time, and up the road which led to
Deacon Bates's. If he was not too late
he was nearly so, for Jenny WAS just
opening the gate Of the front yard.
"Stop, jenny he exclaimed, painting
for breath. Heres your singing book.
You left it on your seat. tried to over
take YOU
"You needn't have taken the trouble,
Mr.. Jenkins; guess no one would have
stolen it, said Jenny with great dis
play of dignity and making show of
going into the house.
"Don't, Jenny! Wait-wait just one
minute. know I've acted like fool !;
bnt just let me explain" Jenny hesi-
tated moment, made another start to-
ward the door, then turned back and
went to the gate where the discounted
Hiram stood waiting. "Well," she
said, in as freezing tone as she could
command.
"Now don't look and talk that way,
Jenny Bates. You know never would
have acted as have If l hadn't thought
had reason for it. thought you were
going to marry Elnathan Rodgers
"What business had you to think any
such thing?" asked Jenny, iring up.
ga pretty explanation that isl" and
again she turned away from the gate.
"Stay! Let me tell you. Can't you
listen minute?' said Hiram in desper-
alton. He felt there was no other wsy
than to make clean breast Of it, and
plunged into his story at once. Word
for word he related the conversation he
had heard in the horse barn, and the
effect it had upon him. He was deeply
1 in earnest and in closing humbly ap-
pealed for forgiveness. He saw her
tremble and put her hands to her face.
Poor girl, she pitied him. His heart
rose and his hand was upon the gate TO
open it, when a peal of laughter, louder
and longer from being so long pent up,
rang out upon the night air, almost
startling out Of his boots and waking the
deacon aud his wife from a sound sleep
in the upper front bedroom. Up went
the window and night-capped head
was thrust out, with a demand as to
what was the matter. Still Jenny
laughed, while Hiram stood silent by
the gate, angry and ashamed, not know
ing whether TO advance or 60 back. Al