The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1886-10-21
A LOVERS QUARTET.

A LOVERS QUARTET.
"Well, if you can't get your own con-
sent, Mrs. Deery, l suppose you can't"
said MIR. Perrin, his reproachful gaze
fixed upon the fly promenading the wild
ow's plump wrist. Il had hoped on re-
Election you'd come to consider my pro-
posal favorably, but it seems you think
you couldn't be happy with me-"
81 couldn't be happy with Roxanna,"
responded the lady, impetuously; then
checking herself. she flushed like the
woodbine at the window, and in her
turn gazed down at the itinerating fly.
20. if you refuse me on account of SIS
ter. Mrs. Deery, [ really can't take No
for an answer" cried her suitor, look
ing up with an encouraged air.
The widows gaze never swerved from
the insect, now chatting its stiffened little
legs upon her thumb.
You'd have no trouble in getting on
with sister, I'll wager" pursued the
eager wooer. You rarely see an even
er-tempered woman"
Yes, that's just it, Mr.. Perrin; Rox-
Annals too perfect" broke forth the
lady, brushing away the fly with start
ling energy. at would tidget me to
death to live with her. She's a chosen
vessel. and I'm only common clay"
The widow Deery common clay, in
deedi Mr.. Perrin would have OWNED
the contrary unaided by the officious
sunbeam which darted in at that instant
to point out her manifold attractions.
Being deeply in love, he took advantage
of his opportunity to pay a handsome
compliment and to renew his suit.
For one intoxicating moment his fair
listener wavered, but the moment pass
ed.
Hush, please, Mr.. Perrinl Don't say
any more about itr' cried she, with Il
willful toss of her bewitchlng brown
curls. Il might care for you"-the
tremor in her voice was very nearly his
undoing-''I might care for you, but /
couldn't breathe with Roxanna. Think
how my little boy would worry her!
She wouldn't speak an unklnd word,
but every time he left sticky finger
prints on Il door | should feel that she
was wishing 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 homep
sister. who, but for her devotion to his
interests, might now be matroniZing q
household OF her own? Dear, faithful
Roxanna! Could he ever requite her
for those weary Years of watching be-
side the couch of his helpless. dying
wife? The full measure of her self-sac-
rilice he had not known ut the time, but
he now had no doubt that for Climena's
l. 4 1, II, I,..A "a Hnd IOnl
Kirby. No, no; sister should never be
requested to vacate the dwelling over
which she had ruled so long and so
well. And TO Mr. Perrin's credit be it
stated, that in the ardor of his passion
for the little widow he closed his lips
upon the disloyal words that perchance
might have won her. and strobe forth
from her cottage rejected lover.
..If Kirby should want Roxanna now
as much as, according to accounts, he
wanted her before he went to Califor-
mia, why, it might straighten things"
mused he. plodding despondently along
che path through the fields; ''but they
say he has his eye on his cousin Martha.
Naturally he would be looking for some
body younger than sister; she has faded.
| There's an odds in women" And the
lovers thoughts reverted to the buxom
widow, little younger than Roxanna,
vet no more faded than a morning-glory
| at sunrise.
Mr. Perrin's feet had traversed the
meadow and assembled the slope of the
pasture adjoining the highway ere his
mind caught up with them. Then he
murmurcd half audibly: II wonder
whether Kirby did call this afternoon?
When l saw his team coming over the
ridge. it struck me might It's well steal
off through the orchard. Considering
he's in the neighborhood looking up his
old friends. he can't civilly pass by
Roxanna; and wouldn't be hinder
ance in case"
His soliloquy merged in a low whistle
of satisfaction. He had reached the
bars opposite his own gate, and at the
gate, his forefeet deep in a hollow paw
ed by their impatience, stood Mr..
Kirby's gay sorrel.
At the spectacle Mr.. Perrin's heart
bounded within him, and he clutched
| the topmost rail for support. Should he
| lead the forgotten horse away to the
stable, or should he by so doing appear
to take too much for granted? He de-
sired to be hOspitable. he desired to be
exceedingly hospitable. but he must not
convey the impression that no was over.
Jealous for a brother-in-law, and thus
| annoy Roxanua. Sister was so fastidi-
| Gus!
In unprecedented excitement the
| habitually easy-goinG man debated
within himself regarding the course oi
conduct beiitting this exceptional occa-
sion, and finally judged it best to inter.
fere with the probable wooing in nc
particular. Accordingly he crept quiet.
iy around to the porch door, with sur.
reptitious glance at the sitting-roon
window in passing. A brisk fire o.
chips revealed to him his rather prin
blonde sister seated in a low rocker be
fore the hearth and Joel Kirby leaning
against the mantel near her, volubly
discoursing.
They've opened the ball without me
guess" unused the skulking host, face
tiously, as he hitched his chair along tC
the kitchen stove to warm his feet il
the oven. Seeing that it's the frs
visit, | must say Joel stays it out well
Unquestionably he means business
What's to prevent? He's a tirst-ratt
fellow, and he'll make kind husband
If | wasn't sure of that | wouldn't con
sent to his having Roxanna- | should
hate to have him take her out to Cali
fornia. hope it's true that he ha:
bought back the old homestead. Well
we'll, wouldn't like to be alittlemous'
IN the sitting-room wall about tni
time?"
Could he have had his wish, a mos
astounded little mouse would the worth.
man have personated.
You are the most morbidly conscien
tious person, Roxy, that kpQY Of y MZ