West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1889-09-12
Ibid you speak to me. .irir

out 20 none OF your beautiful scenery
except that which is kept under lock and
key"
under lock and key, Miss Wiley
What do you meanln
why | mean the prettiest place in
Bdgewood is kept shut up like a prison
by the horrid old man who owns II. He
can't enjoy il himself and he's too mean
to let Others enjoy even a glimpse of It.
wish had the chance to pay him of
I'd"
Here the pretty little widow paused in
real or pretended anger that brought
most becoming blush To her cheek, aud
venomously clenched a fist that was
scarcely large enough TO annihilate
moth.
Mr.. Pinkieberry laughed in manner
Tat was intended to be pleasant, but was
not altogether reassuring and then asked
DO you know the owner of the prop
erty that you speak off,
= mo, am glad to say that do not.
Do you2'
"Well-yes." The two words were
uttered some distance apart.
"What do you think of himi"
81 dunno, !" safd the rich man, remoV-
ing has hat and rather excitedly rubbing
the thin hair on top of his head. "Sup-
pose ask you what you think Of him. -
1T would take too long and don't
care enough about him TO express an
opinion. OF course he's n dog in the
manger, disagreeable and hateful gener-
ally. suppose he has been guilty of
some mean act or crime at some time in
his life and is so afraid people win find IL
out that he will not let them come into
his house For all know he may have
been a bank cashier at some time and
came here by way of Canada, or a.
doodle Alderman, whatever that is, or
has made his money by some such equally
honest fashion and is afraid to brazen it
out. There must be some strong reason.
you know, for man in mis- sober senses
TO live the life of beEr without having
the excuse of having been born with four
legs"
But, my dear yonng lady, arc you not
afraid TO avow su@h sentiments2 Don't
you know that the owner is said to be
very wealthy man, unmarried and the
best catch in townl''
"What OF it, my dear old gentleman?
What can possibly care for a catch who
is a quadruped and disagreeable one?"
"But suppose some one shonhf repeat
your remarks to him. 1t would spoil
your market there, sure"
"No one need report what say. Il
will be most happy to give him myd
opinion personally. And let me add that
when the women get the power to make
the laws, the first thing we will do will
be to pass a law creating the deathipen- !,
atty for all old bachelors"
IF / see him | will tell him, miss.
No doubt he will feel flattered, but I'm
afraid, after what I've heard this morn
ing that | cannot conscientiously advise
him to marry-not Immediately, any i
how. Good morning."
The widow rose and executed an eIabo-
rate courtesy. But scarcely had Mr.
Pinkleberry driven away than Miss Har-t d
liins appeared on the piazza in a,curious
state of agitation, only to he met'by peal
after peal Of laughter from the widow,
who did not seem to reflect that its Sill
very echo might even reach the ears of,
her recent visitor.
"What have you done, Hiss Wiley?.I
Didn't you know that you were talking
to Mr.. Pinklebeery! And to think of
you giving him such an awful laying \
out And had thought when 1 intro /,
duced him to you that he might take a.,
shine to you. Law me, Miss Wiley, if 4
you amt just awful ~
The pretty little widow laughed more
than ever, and even Miss Harkins al. last
began to smile.
fGtVVo1I onvbcv,y 49,, ..o..s. II A.
truth about himself" " the elder lady said,
"and will never be the one 10 let him
know that you knew who he was all the
time. Only he'll be worse than ever
now"
Certainly the ladies at the house were. !
exceedingly surprised, and Miss HarkinsI
most Of all, when, few days later, Mr. !
Pinkleberry drove TO the door in Iight|
phaeton, asked for Miss Wiley" and in5
vited her TO take drive with him.
perhaps you may be afraid TO drivea
with me, now that you know who am, -
he said, with touch Of malice.
THAT is true" responded the widow. !
gravely. 'Itmight not be Of any advan- !
tage to me to be seen in company with
Mr.. Pinkleberry, and ought to decline.
Permit me to go and consult Miss Has.
kins."
"But stay a moment, Miss Wiley, and.I
tell me il you do not think that you owe !
ne something 10 the way.of a salvo for
your terrific onslaught upon men in gen i,
eral and myself in particular throw
myself upon your mercy and appeal to
your womanly generosity This is an
appeal You cannot resist
The villagers were struck dumb with
amazement at thesight of Bachelor Pinkle- \
berry driving at high rate Of speed
through the main street and afterwardA
through his own grounds in company with ]
a young aud pretty woman. But it was
a sight 70 which they had 70 grow accus. 4
toned during the month that followed. /
The men smiled sagcly and wagged their 4
heads and said that ''Old Pink would I
be put on short allowance Of night. kew /
soon, aud the women asked, without a /
smile, ''Who would have thought it that
% bold baggage from no-oue- knows
where should come 70 Edgcwood and
carry of the biggest prize IN The mar
ketr'
On one Of these drives toward the