Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1889-07-26

his elbows on his knees ana face COM
placently turned toward the full
moon.
"And she can't be over 80"
$50 should a said myself assent :
ed lothian.
"rm glad she has taken the cot
tage on a long lease, lothian. pursu-
ed Mr.. Wiggleton. II like good neigh
bors."
Most folks does" observed 10Th
am.
And he got up shaking himself lil @
a great New Newfoundland dog and
went into the house. leaving Mr..
Wiggleton To the commpanionship OF
his own cogitations There are times
i'm which solitude is said TO be the best
company. Perh, ps this was one Of
those special occasions. in the estima-
ton OF lothian Hardcastle.
The summer went by; the great
maple in front of the Wiggleton
mansion began 10 glow as if its leaves
had been dipped in blood melted gold;
the astors reared their purple torches
along the stone wall by the cottage
under the hill, and any acute observer
might have perceived that Mrs. Palm
leaf had laid down the rocky bis Of up
hill ground in spring wheat instead OF
winter rye.
"Jotham, said Mr. Wiggleton to his
farm hand one evening; it was the first
time they had had fire on the wide,
old-fashionel hearth.
"Weu?'
81 have concluded it isn't best for
you TO live here at the house any long
en-
whats goin' to happen?" said
lothian. you ant goin' to hire an
other hsud, be YOU'D
"No; 20 be sure not. You suit me
admirably, lothian, only'-and Mr..
Wiggleton shot the words out with an
effort am thinking of getting mar
ried."
OH
"lt's rather late in lie, to be sure, "
said Mr.. Wiggleton, conscious of look
ing extremely sheepish, "but you know
lothian, its never too late to do a good
thing
Certainly not
'You ought to get married, lothian"
added his employer, speaking in a
rather rapid and embarrassed manner.
"Think so?
Certainly. You might live in the
little house beyond the peach orchard;
il wouldn't take much to fit it nicely,
now that paint aud paper are so
cheap"
lothian stared reAectively at the
fire.
land your wife could take care of
the cream and butter, and ali that sort
Of thing, for us. 1t isn't likely Mrs.
ahem!-it isn't likely. ! mean, Thu
my wife will care for such things"
''Humph.'
I'D advise you TO turn the thing all
over in your mind, johann said Mr..
Wiggleton.
Yes, | will" said lothian, with a
little cough.
The next morning Mr.. Wiggleton
attirei himself in his best suit and
went TO the cottage.
Mrs. Palmleaf received him in a
charming wrapper, with ribbons to
match.
Mr.. Wiggleton wasted no time in
useless preliminary chitchat.
"Mrs. Palmleaf, ma'am,' he began.
little nervously, II have concluded
TO change my condition"
"lndeedn' said the widow. smiling
like an open rose. 81 am so glad to
hear it,
And am here this morning to ask
you to be my wife, pursued our hero,
boldly.
You are lIinl. sir. said Mrs. Palm
leaf, blushing, and looking prettier
than ever, but II really couldn't"
And why not?" demanded Mr.
Wiggleton. fairly taken alb ok by this
unexpected answer.
Il am eng ged" owned up the
charming widow, playing with the
ribbons at her belt.
Might dare to ask-that is"
''Oh, certainly. It's lothian Hard
castle"
Mr. Wiggleton stammered out n
sentence or TWO of congratulttion and
took his leave.
And when the spring wheat
reared its green tassels on the hillside
johann married the pretty young
widow, and Mr.. Wiggleton is single
yet He always felt as if he had
been i'll treated. but he never could tell
exactly how True Flag.