The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1888-07-06

piled George. '.He must have boughl
it secondhand Of q Jew. I.should fee
like burning it for fear of infection
Look at the state Of the braid and but
tons!"
Hetty's heart gave q great throb. Sht
knew the reason, now, why MIR. Comp
ton would not wear the coat. She tool
Il from Georges hnnd.
"What are you going to dOe" he de
rnanded.
Il am going to put on new braid AMI
buttons, and hang it up again" SAID
Hetty, walking into the sitting-roOm
George hung up his own handsome
overcoat and followed her. Mr.. Dare
looked up from his paper. and com
menced a conversation on the spring
rains, to which George listened with thu
utmost impotence, while watching Het
/ ty procure her work basket and will
provoking GOODNESS set to work on thu
obnoxious garment. He could neither
demonstrate nor prevent while Mr.. Oar
rel continued in the present strain.
At last, the old gentleman paused
and, as if suddenly remembering him
self, rose abruptly, and took his news
paper into the kitchen. Then GeOrgt
began:
"Y0u seem determined to insult me
this evening, Hetty."
"Insnlt?" Hetty's eyes flashed.
"Yes, insult. The first thing I sex
tonight is fellow holding your hand
Do you think am going to stand that
And then. instead of giving me your at
tention you prefer to patch this mans
old rag-bag of coat"
'Let it alone" said Hetty, as Georgt
laid hold of the garment in question
"why were you SO late on your OWL
part? But don't let us quarrel, George
Sit down.
Twill you stop working on thai
coat?"
NO." said Hetty, II will not. If
can do any thing to help man who
has worked his own way in the noblest
of all professions. will do it. DOM
be 50 foolish. George; you ought to
want me to help him. Father says he
is very brilliant young man, and he
has had a dreadfully hard time. Just
think, he cooked his own meals!'
'.Disgusting," said George. "All the
more reason 1 won't have you waiting
on such beggar."
"George!"
"Well, listen," said George; "you
know l came here tonight to ask you
to be my wife. II you are going to
marry me you will put down that coat. v
''And if l don't, l can't marry you?'
questioned Hetty, smiling.
''Put it down, Hetty! Dear Hetty,
dearest Hetty, please do as l ask"
Hetty, without glancing at him, be-
gan to sew on another button.
When the minister returned it was
still early. but he was disappointed to
find that Hetty had retired. He did
not notice his coat at the time, nor was
he much consOled by talking of the
spring rains with Mr.. Darrell, in his
turn, for half an hour. Overhead.
Hetty lay sobbing and laughing in her
little white bed.
She was glad George had gone as he
had; she felt, now, that she had never
loved him, but had let things take their
own way. If it had not been for the
coat he would not have shown himself
in SO ugly light, and she might, now,
have been engaged to him. Hetty
shuddered.
II do not know whether would have
taken him any way tonight" she said,
yesterday would have been different"
She did not, however, analyze this
thought, and shortly fell asleep.
Mr.. Compton rose early the following
morning. When Hetty came down to
prepare breakfast, the young minister
was standing in the hall, his overcoat
in his hand. He started and uloOked at
her with world of eloquence in his
every fine eyes"
do you want me to thank you?" he
said.
Hetty laughed, shaking her head, but
her eyes were unaccOuntably filled.
How shabby the coat still was!
II have accepted a call to the First
Church in Middletown," said the young
man, softly, land with the first install
ment of my salary l shall buy a new
overcoat. but l shall never part with
this one"
Don't, please, it is such little
thing" said Hetty, and forthwith she
carried her rosy, dewy face into the
kitchen.
Mr.. Compton had intended to take an
early walk, but he changed his mind.
He stood waiting where he was until he
heard Hetty go down cellar for the
milk, then Fastening, softly to the door
of the cellar way, he fastened the spring
catch. After this maneuver he went
outside and stood near the cellar win
dow. Old Mr.. Darrell had gone to the
barn. so there were no chance of rescue
from him. The young man let Hetty
rattle the door and call her father sew
eral times before he spoke.
"Where are you, Miss DARRELL he
said. sis anything wanting?"
He was still out of sight, but Hetty
recognized his voice as coming from the
outside walk, and few to the window as
before.
Il am fastened in the cellar again"
she called.
where did you say?" said Compton,
from n distance