The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1886-02-27

tea-kettle. I might jest as well be doing
He watched her as she flew about putting
things to rights in a way that made heI
nervous; Tut she said to herself that this
was easier Than sitting still and gradually
leading up to the object for which she had
come, She kept wondering if she ever
could accomplish it. When the room was
in order, finally, she sat down again, with
a strained-up look in her face.
sMarcus," said She Il might as well be-
gin. There was something / wanted to say
to you tonight"
He looked at her and she went on:
'Ive been thinking some lately about
how matters used to be betwixt you an
but might have been little more patient
than was. 1 don't know as I'd feel the
same way now if"
30, Esther, what do you meanp'
81 amt going to tell you, Marcus Wood
man, if you can't find out. I've said full
enough; more'n ever thought should"
He was an awkward man, but he rose
and threw himself on his knees at her feet
with all the grace of complete unconscious
ness of action. 80, Esther you don't
mean, do you-you don't mean that you'd
be willing to-marry mes"
"No; not if you don't get up. You look
ridiculous"
ESTHER, do you mean itan
sYes. Now get up.n
''You amt thinking can't give up what
we had the trouble about, any more now
than l could then"
"'Ain't said once that wouldn't make
any differenceW
At that he put his head down on her
knees and sobbed.
s'Do, for mercy sake, stop! Somebody'll
be coming in. faint as if we was
young couple"
Saint going to till I've told you about
1t, Esther. You 'ain't never really under
stood In the first of it, we was both mad !;
o, Esther, I've had such an awful life I've
looked at you, and o dear, dear, dear !"
Marcus, you scare me to death crying
SOL
81 won't. Esther, look here-it's the Cos
pei truth: I amt thing aginF Mr.. Nor
ton now"
''Then why on earth don't yougc into the
Westinghouse and behave yourself."
Don't you suppose | would it 1 could!
can't Esther-I can't.
Il don't know what you mean by can't"
'Do you s'pose I've took any comfort sit
ting there ON them steps in the winter
SHOWS an the summer suns? DO you
s'pose Eve took any comfort not marTyin g
you? Don't you s'pose I'd given all was
worth any time the last ten year to have
got up an walked into the church with the
rest of the folks!"
well I'll own, Marcus, | don't SEE why
you couldn't if you wanted tor
81 amt sure as see myself, E&her All
knowis can't make myself give it UP.
can't. FAINT made strong enough tor
GAS near as I can make out, you've
taken to sittingon The church steps the way
other men take to smoking and drinking"
81 don't know but you're right, Esther,
though | hadn't Thought of it in that way
before"
''Well, yourmust try to overcome it.'r
Il never can, Esther. 1t amt right for
me to let you think can"
'Well, we WON'T talk about it any more
tonight It's time was going home"
"Esther-did yuu poean It'll"
'Mean what?"
THAT you'dimarry me anyway"
eyes did Now do get up. / do hars TO
see you looking So silly"
Esther had a new pearl-colored silk
gown, and little mantle like it, and a
bonnet trimmed with roses and plumes,
and she and Marcus were married in June.
The Sunday on which she came out, a
bride they were late at church, but late as
it was, curious people were lingering blythe
steps to watch Them What would they dog
Would Marcus Woodanan enter that church
uOOT WHICH his awful Will udu RudTueut ICI
him so long?
They walked slowly up the steps between
the watching people: When they came to
the place where he WIS accustomed to sit,
Marcus, stopped short and looked down at
his wife with an agonized face.
80, Esther I've-got-to stop"
SWELL, Well bothlsit down here, thena"
'You2n
Eyes; I'm willing;''
mo; you go inn
"Noo, Marcus; I ht with you oNn our
wedding Sunday"
Her sharp, middleAaged face as she looked
up at him was. fairly heroic. This Wes all
that she could doe. her last weapon was
used If this failed she would accept the
chances with which, she had marriedj and
before the eyes of all these tittering people
she would sit. down at his side on these
church steps. She was determined; and
she would notrwealsen.
He stood for a moment staring into heS
face. He trembled so that the by-standers
noticed it,. He Actually leaned over toward
his old seat as if wire rope were pulling
him down upon it. Then he stood, up
straight, like a man, and walked through
the church door with his wife.
The people. followed. Not one of t1ieEn
even smiled They had felt the pathos IN
the comedy.
The sitters in the pews watched Marcus
wonderingly as. he went up the aisle with
Esther He looked strange to, themr he
had almost the grand mien of a conque1or
Nary II. H5idissS, IN Hdrper's 4HagaztnG.