The Sully County watchman. (Clifton, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1894, 1888-10-27

came here to night to ask yon to be my
wife. If you are going to marry me you
will put down that coat"
"And if I don't, / can't marry your"
questioned Hetty, smiling.
"Put it down, Hetty! Dear Hetty, dear
est Hetty, please DO as ask:"
Hetty, without glancing at him, began
to sew arother button.
When the minister returned i. was still
early, but he was disappointed to find
that Hetry 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 sob
hing 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. II 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. Het.y shuddered.
"I 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 pre-
pare breakfast, the young minister was
standing in tho hall, his overcoat in hand.
He started and looked at her with a
world of eloquence in his "very fine
eyes"
"Do you want me to thank ycus" he
said.
Hetty laughed, shaking her head, but
her eyes were unaccountably filled. How
shabby the coat still was!
"f have accepted call to the First
Church in Middletown," said the young
man softly, "and with the first install
ment of my salary shall buy new over
coat, but shall never part with this one"
Don't, please, il 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 maneuvei he went outside and stood
near the cellar window. Old Mr.. Da-rel
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 several times befors he spoke.
"Where are you, Miss Darrell" he said,
''is anything waRting?"
He was still ont of sight, bat Hetty rec
ognized 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 ssy?" said Compton,
from distance.
Hetty pressed close to the window bars,
and cried as loudly as possible: an the
celldri'
Compton laughed aloud, and, coming
to the window, he stopped down as he had
done on the previous night. This time,
however, he came very close, close enough
to kiss the red lips between the bars.
Don't be angry, dearest" he pleaded,
as Hetty drew back hurt and astonished.
II couldn't help it, love you 90. Hetty,
will you go with me to Middletown!"
$50 you can always get your coats
mended?" asked Hetty, saucily, but with
shy color stealing over her face.
mo, because you will have such a use
full, domestic husband, who can do tie
kitchen work. Say yes Hetty. sha'n't
let you out Until you do"
81 suppose / shall have to, them" said
Hetty; "any place would be preferable to
this cellar, even Middletovn. But shall
have that spring catch taken off the cellar
door,"
II would il | wero you," replied her
lover. The two faces came very near to
the bars again for moment, and then
he went around and opened the door
Ellen V. Talbot, in Housewife.