Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1889-10-25
"Did You speak to me. sir9"

except that which is kept under lock and
key
Under lock and key, Miss Wiley.
What do you mcan2'
"Why | mean the prctticst place in
Edgcwood is kept shut mp like a prison
by the horrid old man who owns it. lie
can enjoy it himself and he's too mean
to let others enjoy even Il glimpse of il.
wish had the chance to pay him of
I'd"
Here the pretty little widow paused in
real or pretended anger that brought II
most becoming blush to her check, and
vcnomouSly clcnchcd n fist that WAS
scarcely large enough to annihilatc a
moth.
MIR. Pinklcbcrry laughed in manner
'hat was intended TO be pleasant, but was
mol altogether rcaSsuring and then asked:
jN"Do you know the owner of the prop
crty that You spcak of"
- No, | ann glad To say that do moi.
DO you?'
"Well-ycs." The two words were
uitcrc, some distance apart.
"Whmt do you think of him?"
81 dunno" said the rich man, rcmov-
ing his hat and rather cxcitcdly rubbing
the thin hair on top of his head "Snp-
pose ask You what you think of him."
at would take too long and don't
care enough about him To express an
opinion. OF course he's dog in the
manScr, disagrccablc and hateful gcncr-
ally suppose he has been guilty of
some mean net or crime ut some time i'm
hia life and is so afraid people will find il
out that he will not let them come into
his house. For all know he may have
been II bank cashier ut some time and
came here by way of Canada, or n
doodle Alderman Whatever that is. or
has madc his money by some such equally
honest fashion and is afraid TO brnzcn il
out. There must he some strong reason
you know, for man in mis- sober senses
to live the life of II bcar without having
the excuse of having been born with four
legs"
But, my dear yoong lady, are you not
afraid To avow su:ll sentiments? Don't
you know that the owner is said To be a
very wealthy man, unmarried and the
best catch in town."
"What Of il, my dear old gentleman?
What cnn possibly care for catch who
Is n puadrupcd and lsagrccahc onc?"
"l}ut suppose some one should repeat
your remarks 10 him. II would spoil
your market there, sure"
"No one need report what say. I
will tic most happy 10 give him my
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 II law crcating the death pen
atty for all old bachelors"
"'If see him | will tell him, miss.
No doubt he will feel llaltcrcd, but Pm
afraid, after what I've heard this morn
ing that cannot conscicniiollsIy advise
him To marry-nOt Immediately, nny-
how. Good morning"
The widow rose and executed nm clnbo-
rate courtesy. But scarcely had Mr..
Pinklcberry driven away than Miss IIar
l'ins appeared on the piazza in II curious
state OF agitation, only 10 be 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, Miss Wiley?
Didn't you know that you were talking
TO MIR. Pnklebecryl And to think Of
you giving him such I'M awful laying
out! And had thought when intro
duccd him 10 you that he might take
shine To you. Law me, Miss Wiley, if
you amt just awful"
The pretty little widow laughed more
Than ever, and even Miss IIarkins at Inst
began 10 smile.
"Wcll, anyhow, one mans heard the
truth about himself" the elder lady said,
''and will never be the one TO let him
know that you knew who he was all the
time. Only he'll be worse than ever
now"
Certainly the Indies at the house were
exceedingly surprised, and Miss Harkins
most OF all, when, few days later, Mr..
Pinklcberry drove TO the door in II light
phacton, asked for "NIiss Wiley" and in.
vtcd her 10 take drive with linn.
"Pcrhnps you may be afraid to drive
with me, now that You know who nm, /"
he said, with II touch of malice
'That is true" responded the widow,
gravcly. "Itnight not be OF any advan
tagc to me TO be seen in company with
-'.'' '"H'''@ii ~ hhh OiiShl tD ucCllne.
Permit me to go and consult Miss IIas-
kns."
"8ut stay n moment, Miss Wiley and
tell me if you do not think that you owe
Inc something in the way Of a salve for
your terrific onslaught upon men in gen
cral 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
amazcmcnt mt the sight Of Bachelor PinkIe
berry driving at IA high rate of speed
through the main street and aftcrward
through his own grounds in company with
young and pretty woman. But il was
sight to which they had to grow acc,ls-
toned during the month that followed.
The men smiled sagcly and waggcd their
heads and said that cold Pink" would
be put on short allowance of night-kcy
soon, and the women asked, without n
smile, "Who would have thought it that
"a bold baggage from no-onc knows
where should come to Edgcwood and
carry oil the biggest prize in the mar