Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1886-09-10

the slttlngrOom wall about this timer"
Could he have had his wish, a most
astounded little mouse would the
worthy man have personated.
"4ou are the most morbidly con-
scientious person, Roxy, that l know
Of" Mr.. Kirby was saying, with a
frown that scored his forhead with hor-
izontal wrinkles like the stafin written
music. If l could only convince you
that it was your duty to be my wife, I
should stand some chance OF getting
you; but unluckily for me, you've
cherished this notion that you ought
to keep house for your brother till
you--'
"BrOther needs me" murmured Miss
Roxanna, tears swelling in her eyes OF
"baby blue"
"And don't need you? Haven't
some rights? During your stricken
sisters illness I consented to waive
these, but now she is gone, and Iwant
you"
'Don't, Joel, don't"
II tell you do, and can't help it. I"
cried Mr.. Kirby, with a grim humor.
"When couldn't move you by letter,
I resolved I'd come and speak for my
sell. You used to say you loved me,
Roxy. Can't you"
"Iou know plenty of other ladies,
Joe, younger and more pleasing" falt-
cred Miss Roxanna, nervously smooth
ing the pale gid ofhair that framed her
temples in Gothic arch.
'They are nothing to me-" replied
the gentleman, CURLY, almost as ii he
esteemed the fact a matter OF regret.
Assured Of the favor OF more than
one pretty girl OF his acquaintance,
was it not little hard that the full
current OF bis being must needs set to-
ward this unrespOnsive woman OF
thirty? 1t had ever been thus with
Joel Kirby from his preverse child
hood, when, if he wanted cake no
human power could induce him to nib
Die gingerbread.
'No, Roxy, there's only one woman
in the world for me-" he continued, in
softer tone. "Your brother is OF a
different temperament. Has it never
occurred to you that he may marry q
second timer"
"Brother marry! Oh. no, indeed,
ne II never mArry-never!' cried Miss
Roxanna, rooted and grounded in the
belief that her brothers heart WAS en-
tombed with the dead Climena. mo,
he could not take a second vile, Joel,
and you see he has only me. Icouldn't
be SO cruel as to leave him.
TO all Mr. Kirby's subsequent plead
lnys she made this same reply, but it
soothed his chatting spirit not a little
that she made it with faltering and
that she parted from him with tears.
AS the sound OF his rapid wheels
died in the distance, she hastily dried
her eyes and hurried into the kitchen
to see about the belated supper. Mr..
Perrin still gloatlng over castles in
Spain, looked up with the roguish
purpose OF greeting her as Mrs. kir-
BY but disnayed at her troubled
countenance, remarked that 1.-The
days were getting shorter"-a fact
that she had observed before.
He felt as if he had received q blow.
For him there was, there could be,
but one interpret ation Of his sisters
unwonted emotion. Sheloved Kirby,
and Kirby no longer cared for her.
Poor girl, she had dreamed that a
mans affections are like granite
boulders, incapable OF change, and
she was awakening with a shock.
Hapless Koxunna' She too had her
trials. Keenly sympathetic, the mag
unanimous brother, concealed his owl,
disappointment as best he could, and
Iavished upon his sorrowful sister an
excess Of tenderness.
"Iou have the knack OF spelling me
for other folks cooking, little woman,
that S the truth,' said he at tea time,
ostentat!ously heaping his plate with
cream toast. How should ever get
along without you?"
"That'll make her feel that appre-
ciate her, i Joel DOESN'T" he unused,
benevolently; while she, on her side
OF tho table was thinking: "It's just
rs suspected; it would kill brother
to lose me-"
"Oh, you'd manage somehow. May
be you'd marry" she ventured timid-
ly, almost hearing the huttering OF
the lost Climena's wings.
''Poh! pohI sister, nothing seems
less likely" answered her brother, in
y voice SO sad that Miss Roxanna
chided herself for having opened his
wound afresh. But she had done it
for Joel's sake. She owed to Joel to
make sure that there could be no
Misunderstanding.
The October days with their noon
day patches OF sunshine and their
heavy borders OF twilight came and
went. In q spasm Of hope thai the
charming widow might Yet consent to
share the domestic sceptre with his
sister, Mr.. Perrin made a second pro-
posal, only to receive q second decid-
ed, though flattering, refusal. Mr.
Kirby repeated his call upon Roxan-
ma, and departed cursing fate, and by
no means loving Mr.. Perrin, whom lie
supposed perfectly acquainted with
the relations between himself and Rox-
anna. Overtaking Mr.. Perrin ore day
walking home from the post Office, Mr..
Kirby with inward reluctance asked
him to ride With equal reluctance
Mr.. Perrin accepted the invit alton, re-
aectins: "If I amt civil. he'll take it
that I'm mad because he doesn't re-
new his offer to Roxanna, and I Won
humor him."
Heavy frost last night" growled
Mr.. Kirby.
VERY" asserted the other, con,
scious 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 OWE
climate. There's the advantage O.
having plenty of money, and no fam
lily ties"
'tNo family ties! Whose fault was i,
that he had no family ties?" unused