Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1886-11-01

cream toast How should / ever get
along without you?"
''That'll make her feel that | appre-
ciate her, if Joel DOESN'T" he unused,
beneyolently; while she, on her side of
the table. was thinking Its just as
suspected; it would kill brother to lose
me-
80, you'd manage somehow. Maybe
you'd marry" she ventured, timidly,
almost hearing the fiuttering of the lost
Climena's wings.
"Poh! poh! sister, nothing seems less
likely" answered her brother, in a voice
so sad that Miss Roxanna chided herself
for having opened his old wound afresh.
But she had done it for Joel's sake She
owed it TO Joel to make sure that there
could be no misunderstanding
The October days with their MONDAY
patches of sunshine and their heavy
borders of twilight came and went. In
spasm Of hope that the charming wild
ow might vet consent to share the do
mestic sceptre with MS sister, Mr.. Per-
rim made a second proposal, only to re-
ceive a second decided, though fiatter-
ing, refusal. Mr.. Kirby repeated his
call upon Miss Roxanna, and departed
cursing fate, and by no means loving
Mr.. Perrin, whom he supposed perfect
" acquainted with the relations between
himself and Roxanna. 0vertaking Mr.
Perrin walking home one day from the
post-ofiice, Mr.. Kirby with inward re-
luctance asked him to ride. With equal
reluctance Mr.. Perrin accepted the in
vitation, rejecting. If amt civil he'll
take it that I'm mad because he doesn't
renew his offer to Roxanna, and | won't
humor him"
Heavy frost last night, growled Mr.
Kirby.
Very" assented the other. conscious
of an inward chill winter is upon
us. Shall you spend it in Maine?"
my plans are uncertain" snarled
Mr.. Kirby, adding mentally. Thanks
to you, sir.
"Of course you can choose your own
climate. There's the advantage of hav-
ing plenty of money and no family
ties"
No family ties Whose fault was it
that he had no family ties?" unused the
irate bachelor, making rapid passes
over his long beard as if he would mes
merize the pain in his breast. might
not Roxanna have been his wife years
ago but for the necessities of this selfish
brother?"
Though I've lately heard it limited,
Joel, that YOU were thinking of marry
ing" Mr.. Perrin Numbered on, in his
embarrassment saying the very thing he
had resolved not to say.
Mr. KIRBY snapped his whip. and
transtixed his companion with a glance
so frigid that poor MIR. Perrin shivered
as is he was impaled on an icicle.
"Your cousin is fine girl, Joel-an
uncommonly fine girl. II congratu-
late you," he ssammered, wishing it
would do to get out and walk.
You are too kind, Perrin; too kind
by half" sneered Mr.. Kirby, letting 60
the reins of his anger you've robbed
me of one bride, sir, and now you want
to make amends, do you, by choosing
me another?"
why, Kirby, what are you raving
about? When have ever interfered
with your concerns matrimonial or
otherwise?" cried Mr.. Perrin in a tone
of injured innocence. You're labor
ing under some strange delusion"
'Do YOU pretend it's delusion of
mine that but for you Roxanna would
be my wife?'
20, he's INVITING me on old scores"
unused Mr.. Perrin, aggrieved. He
blames me for letting sister give up her
prospects in life for Climena's sake.
Sister would do it, and she never told
me there was anything between her and
JOEL when man is in a tight
place, Joel, he's apt to realize his own
needs better than the needs of his breth-
rem, suppose" he said aloud, after a
moments pause. "But I'm sorry if you
bear me grudge."
Tight place! Do you call yourself
in tight place, Perrin-a strong, hearty
fellow like you? You ought to be indie
pendent af your sister. You ought to
hire a housekeeper and let Roxanna
60"
'Let Roxanna go! WhereP" inter-
rogated the befogged Mr.. Perrin.
wherever she prefers to live.
should let her decide that after we were
married" replied Mr.. Kirby. impatient
ly. "The main point is to get her away
from you. She says you say you
couldn't live without herr
"Yes, did say i'll did say it; but |
take it all back" cried Mr.. Perrin, fair
ly blinking in the light that suddenly
Illuminated his darkened mind. 81 see
things clearer than did, Joel Iwon't
stand any longer between you and Rox-
anna"
Your hand on it?'
"My hand on it, JOEL l shall be glad
proud, that is-to give sister to you;
and if you are going on up to the house,
you can tell her | said So"
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