The Yazoo sentinel. (Yazoo City, Miss.) 1878-1916, 1891-07-16

woodshed turning over lcstlesslg could
be heard. and ALI the while the mani
heart was demanding thar he should ex-
press himself. a commission The tongue
refused 10 obey.
Finally Martha Ann. without raising
her head. said dreaniily
do you know. James I've often won
dered why YOU didn't ever gif married.
You see have always looked upon nv
self a. sister 20 you. wishin' always for
your welfare and happiness aud have
asked myself acin aud agin, Now. why
don the find some good, true girl aud
marry herg You'd make some woman a
good husband, James; know you
would. you're 50 good aud stidy and
home lovin'. aud sech men amt plenti-
full. It amt fer you to be spending your
Sunday evenings with me, who is only
your true friend, fer you'd ought ter be
tindin' sweetheart and gettin' married
and settled in life. =
80, Martha Amt" he found the cour-
age to say.
She continued, as II not noticing the
interruption.
"a man as has reached your age ought
ter be lookin' round him, and there's a.
plenty OF girls would have you, too, a.
plenty OF them. Now, there's Mary
Gibson she's good girl as ever lived,
splendid housekeeper, and religious.
or Sally Stephens. or Esther Lapum, any
Of them would jump at the chance to be-
come Mrs. Simpkins."
James groancd in spirit, The perspir-
alton frickled down his forehead and
settled ID a drop on the tip Of his nose,
as If undecided whether or not Il were
best 10 fall.
..Oh, Martha Annw he said again,
pIaintively, 'how could yer think otsech
a thingln
She removed her hand from his and
turned her face, now flushed warm by
the fire, until her eyes met his and asked,
as if with the greatest wonder:
.sWhy mott"
'It's YOU / wa I, Martha Ann his
tongue was getting into line--..It's YOU
as haze been planning this year or
more to ask but somehow you was alters
80 sweet o0kin and so quiet that
somehow couldn't do ill., Surely the un-
ru.y vocal powers were getting very
obedient. I've loved yer from q little
rl-Pve-rvc -
The machinery stopped suddenly here,
and it was as much as half minute
before he continued.
"Yon see don't know how to tell il,
but | love you. love YOU with all my
heart, and alters have, aud I've wished
and wished | could tell you. but
couldn't, bcin' SO stupid. But I've told
you now, and I'm glad, fer + amt no
room in my heart for no one else.
He was quite choked up with emotion
now, yet ia his eyes were new bold
ness, a new inspiration, and he leaned
eagerly forward for her answer
Ii was now her turn to be confused.
The willy Martha forgot her cunning Of
speech. forgot her well-laid plain, and
the first she knew the tears were rolling
down her cheeks. She had no words 70
say.
She allowed her head to sink slowly to-
ward his breast, ard, hiding her face
there with his. strong arms about her,
she gave herself up TO the soft passion
OF tears.
And then no raised her tenderly and
kissed her over and over again-how, he
never knew aud will never be able to
explain 10 himself. for he had =. need TO
be told she loved him and was his for all
time.
And So they Sat silently while the fire
fickered and grew passionate in turn, and
the old clock licked with a gladder tone,
and even the breathing Of the god Of
night in the lilacs became subdued.
And 50, heart beating against heart
and hand clasping hand, they sat, too
full Of the spirit Of love to say aught
And this is how they became engaged.
Yet still the people Of the big creek
section are wondering, ibid Martha
Ann really ptoposel'--L Star Sayings.