The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1892-08-10
A LEAP YEAR EPISODE.

not for $4,000. said AYlce Mere
She said It, 100, exactly as she meant
1t, with redeemed cheeks. eyes full Of
hazel fire, and two small, dimpled fists
clenched tightly.
MY dear" said Penelope Paxton, one
Of those joyial old maids who are privi-
legged to say anything, you remind me
Of a famous historical character
@I?7 said Avice, momentarily OF her
guard
yes said Penelope Miss Betty
Baxter, who refused Captain Jones be-
fore he axed her"
~Oh, it isn't that protested Ayice,
rosief than ever. ~Of course Mr. Mar
ryau has no idea Of asking ne Why
should be have9 And if he did, l
shouldn't accept him
@Miss Betty Baxter" monotonously
chanted Penlope, "who refused"
@PenEy, do be quiet" said Avice,
Stamping her foot in genuine annoyance
aYou know what mean"
@So, don't" said Penny, -and don't
believe YOU know youTselEH
He said it was leap year. plea1ed
indignant Aviee.
$50 it Is" said Penny. @Get the alma
nae and look for yourself -Four into
eighteen hundred and ninety two
goes"
Penelope" cried Aviee, "can you not
talk common sense ?"
@To be sure I can, ifyou viii set me
the examplew gravely responded Miss
Paxton.
@Aud he told Doctor DArien he wasn't
coming to our party tomorrow night be-
cause he didn't want to be married
against bis will."
well, after all, there's something in
that" said Penelope, refectively, Il
never was = man myself, bat I can i'm
agine that, under such circumstances, a
cold shiver would 20 al through me"
penny" said Aviee, solemnly, do
you really, seriously think that one Of Us
girls ever thought Of marrying John Mar
ryatt2"
That Is 4 question am not prepared
70 answer said Miss Paxton.
Avice ran out Of the room, and was
surprised to find herself crying over the
clove-sceuted blossoms Of her favorite
carnations in the bathroom window.
@I'm sure don't know Why sobbed
she. = hate John Masryatt, and I think
it was horrid Of Doctor Darien to 20 and
repeat what was said to him in conf
denee. And ifJohn Marryatt really be
lieved that-there, indeed. Why do
people talk such q string Of nonsense be-
eause the month of February happens to
have % days in It instead Of 2s."
In the meantime Mr.. Msrryatt had
packed his valise and gone Of 70 visit an
old uncle who was At the point OF death.
1T won't be a very cheerful Fisit, 4" said
he to himself, ~but it VIII be better than
4 state OF siege-for have been told on
good authority, that every one Of those
girls mean TO get engaged at the leap
year party, tEe saGcy eoquettes, It viii
be the old story Of the Sabinss over
again with the sexes reversed And
when narry-if I marry-I intend to
have at least the privilege Of choice. So
I'H lust 90 up TO Uncle Origen's.'
Uncle Origen's farmhouse was on the
TOP ofa bleak bill, where a few dwarfed
cherry trees shook and shuddered in the
wintry blasts, and the COWS huddled in
the shelter Of the hayrieks to keep from
being blown away.
81 think We are going TO havea storm, ?
said Mr.. Marryatt. ''Fm quite certain
that smell srow in the air. And there
are more cheerful places during north
east wind than Uncle Origen's house"
In fact, be was almost disposed to be
sorry that he come, when he stood there
knocking and humping with the handle
Of his umbrella at the shrunken panels
of the front door.
Pretty soon a crooked old man, with
his garments fastened with tow strings
instead Of buttons, came shuffiing to the
door, and peeped suspicioUsly around It.
~Eh?7 said be, with one hand back Of
his poor old purple ear. "Pears to me
heard somebody knocking didn't IT'
-Yes, its me- said our hero, John
Marryast don't you know p
@Marriedg' squeaked the old man.
TO whom p
~John-Mar-ry-att" distinctly re-
peAted the visitor. How Is my Uncle
Odgen 81
The crooked old man sheltered his
candle fame with one hand and stared
a. if he we're gradually being transform
ed into one huge eye
Land sake alive |" said he. didn't
Won knox7 He was buried yesterday
Here vas cheerful welcome for a city
visitor
aBut what can I do" said MArryatt