The Delta independent., 1890-06-03

What do you meanw
"Why I mean that the prettiest place
in Edgewood is kept shut up like
prison by the horrid old man who owns
1t. He can't enjoy it himself and he's
too mean to let others enjoy even
glimpse of it. wish had the chance
to pay him off, I'd
Here the pretty little widow paused
in real or pretended anger that brought
q most becoming flush to her cheek and
venomously clenched fist scarcely
large enough to annihilate moth.
Mr.. Pinkleberry laughed in man
lief that was intended to be pleasant
but was not altogether rcassuring and
then asked:
''Do you know the owner of the
property that you speak OFF"
"No, l am glad to say that do not.
Do you?"
rsWell-yes." The two words were
uttered some distance apart.
"What dc. you think of him?"
ri dinno;" said the rich man, re-
moving his hat and rather excitedly
rubbing the thin hair on top of his
head. "Suppose l 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 a dog in the
nanger, disagreeable and hateful gen.
orally. suppose he has been guilty
of some mean act or crime at some
time in his life and is so afraid people
will find it out that he will not let them
come into his house. For all know
he may have been bank cashier at
some time and came here by way Of
Canada; or doodle alderman what
ever that is, or has made his money by
some such equally honest fashion and
is afraid to brazcn it out. There must
be some strange reason, you know, for
q man in his sober senses to live the
life of bear without having the ex-
cuse of having been born With four
legs"
"But, my dear young lady, are you
not afraid to avOw such sentiments?
Don't you know that the owner is said
to be very wealthy man, unmarried
and the best catch in town."
"What of it, my dear old gentleman!
What can possibly care for catch
who is quadruped and disagreeable
onc?"
"But suppose some one should repeat
your remarks to him. 1t would spoil
your market there, surc.'
No one need report what I say. 1
will be most happy to give him my
open opinion personally. And let me
add that when the women get the pow
er to make the laws, the first thing we
will do will be to pass law creating
the death penalty for all old bachelors"
elf see him l will tell him, miss.
No doubt he will feel flattered, but Pm
afraid, after what Pve heard this MORN
ing that cannot tconscientiously advise
him to marry-not Immediately, any
how. Good morning."
The widow rose and executed an
elaborate courtesy. But scarcely had
Mr.. Pinkleberry driven away than Miss
Harkin's appeared on the piazza in
curious state of agitation, only to be
met by peal after peal of laughter from
the widow, who did not seem to reflect
that its silevry 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 Mr.. Pinkleberry? And to
think Of you giving him such ar awful
laying-out! And 1 had thought when
l introduced him to 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 Harkins
ut last began to smile.
"Well, anyhow, one mans heard
the truth about himself" the elder
lady said, and will never be tho one
to 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 surprized, and Miss
Harkins most of all, when, few
days later, Mr.. Pinklcberry drove up
to the door in light phaeton, asked
for " Miss Wiley" and invited her to
take ride with him. Perhaps you
may be afraid to drive with me, now
that you know who am" he said,
with touch of malice.
I" That is true" responded the
WluOW, DAaVCiys ~ unSilt hot Do VI
any advantage to me to be seen in
company with Mr.. Pinkleberry, and 1
ought to decline. Permit me to go
and consult Miss Harkins."
"But stay moment, Miss Wiley,
and tell me If you do not think that
you owe me something in the way of
salve for your terrific onslaught upon
men in general and myself in particu-
lar; throw myself upon your mercy
and appeal to your womanly genero-
sity. This is an appeal you cannot re-
sist."
The villagers were struck dumb with
amnzement at the sight of Bachelor
Pinkleberry driving at high rate of
speed through the main street and after
wards through his own grounds in
company with q young and pretty
woman. But it was sight to which
they had to grow accustomed during
the month that followed. The men
smiled sagely and waggcd their heads
and said that "Old Pink" would be
put on short allowance of night-key
soon, and the women asked, without
smile, "Who would have thought it
that % bold baggage from no one
kuOxva vvhere, ahntr1d cOma IN EdOe-