The Iola register., 1889-08-23
Ana n mn.t be said r. WA. all trne

And it must be said it was all true.
James had become infatuated with the
fair Imogene and danced perpetual at
tendance upon her. Her dainty ways.
her city bred airs. her varying moods,
and above all the thought that she was
already wealthy and destined at no
distant day to become still more so.
wrought such havoc in the heart OF thC
unsophisticated country youth that he
resolved ut the first favorable oppor-
tunity. to use phrase much in vogue
in those parts, to pop the question"
Accordingly one pleasant afternoon
when he and Imogene were seated on
rustic bench in the very grove where
was held the. to him. ever-memorable
ice-cream festival he, after much un-
wonted stammering, pumped down on
his knees and proposed in the most
dramatic manner imaginable-and was
greeted with loud and ringing peal of
laughter He had never heard Miss
Burton laugh before, and the sound.
however bird-like, or flute-like he
might have considered it under other
circumstances. was. just at that moment
far from pleasant to him.
Marry you." she said. when she
could fully control her risibility.
Marry farmer? And l suppose you
would expect me to milk the cows, and
sweep, and cook. and wash. as do all
hn -
and vicinity. No. Mr.. Monroe, the
idea is impracticable. and, l will add,
utterly impossible; for | am engaged
to a gentleman of New York and am to
be married early in the fall. / have
enjoyed your company very much in
deed. You have helped to relieve the
tedium of this beautiful though monot-
onous place, and for that l am truly
thankful. but such thing as becoming
your wife has never once entered my
head. You must learn to forget me.
L leave for Boston tomorrow morning,
and you. doubtless. will exemplifv the
truth Of the old adage: Out of sight.
out of mind And now let me give you
little good advice. | have heard
something of little black-eyed girl to
whom you were engaged and with
whom you quarreled. presumably over
poor me. Return to your allegiance.
Marry her, she will make you a good
wife, and you will both live to laugh
over your silly misunderstanding, and
at me-
With these words Miss Burton arose,
and swiftly and silently glided from the
grove, leaving James Monroe dunn
founded and crestfallen. and yet with
secret feeling in his heart that he had
been rightly served.
After the first rankings of his wound
ed self-love had died out. he bethought
him of Miss Burton's advice and called
at the Murdock homestead. He was
ushered into the familiar parlor
where he had passed so many pleasant
happy hours. by one of Mary's younger
sisters, and. in short time Mary made
her appearance. She was as bright
and CHEEKY as ever and apparently har-
bored no ill-feeling because of his past
conduct. but when he drew forth the
and attempted to place it upon her
finger. and again gain her consent to
beco me his wife, she drew back with
quick. proud movement and said:
NO. James, l shall always be
friend to you. but never your wife.
You have shown plainly that you did
not love me as you ought, and l feel it
is best we should henceforth meet
merely as friends and neighbors.
will own that have felt very badly
over the way-the way you have used
me. But time heals all wounds"
Yes. time and John Graves" said
James. angrily, as he seized his hat.
Il have heard of his coming here. aud
if you care more for tha. lout than for
me all have to say is: Marry him"
Thus speaking. he flounced out of the
room. not forgetting to slam the door
behind him. Mary's black eyes fairly
snapped with just anger and indigna-
ton. But the storm in her bosom sub
sided as rapidly as 1t nad arisen, ana In
a low. beautiful voice. she said: Thank
God for my narrow escape.
John Graves whom James Monroe
had denominated "a lout, was young
farmer living about three miles from
Mr.. Murdocks. He was steady. up
right young man, not given to putting
on airs" but honest and true to his
friends as the needle to the pole. He
had large farm. bequeathed him by
his father, which he cultivated to the
very best advantage. In fact, he was
the best farmer near Barnes
vile. His mother and maiden sister
to the household duties, while
he and two ''hired men, were constant |
ly employed in bringing his broad acres |
into the highest state of productiveness. !
Him the following autumn, Mary MUIR |
dock married. And at about the same |
time Imogene Burton was led to the al |
tar by "a gentleman from New York"
Thomas Burke, in Yankee Blade.
Smoking In the Barn.