The Progress. (Shreveport, La.) 1892-1900, 1892-09-17

aStOHlhufilcflI SHc SdW tnlI MlSS NHNHtN
was smiling, too, and n little girlish
blush had stolen into her cheek Sup
pose Ann" said she softly. Two were TO
ask tho captain TO come home and live
with us. IL we were to make him com
Portable and happy no might forget all
the evil that has been done him by un-
kind tongues.
well. Leviny Mayhem, never did
hear the beat of that. It's just M If you
was THROWN yourself Mt the captain =
head-as if you were offerin yourself"
mo. Ann" and sho raised her voice
little 80 that every word might be
clearly understood. "he asked mo and
I've accepted, seeing as he thinks I'm
worth taking. though don't understand
how he can: but it's all settled between
ny now like our house better than
this one. would rather live there, and
| shall beg the captain to come home and
stay with us before long"
Ann had listened to this speech with
her mouth open and CONSERVATION paint
ell on her face "Merciful mann she ex-
claimed, lin beat all out and don't
know whether I'm standin on my head or
heels. He's axed you and you've accept
ell! Well, If there spooks should think
Mis- Mayhem would be walking into this
ROOM But, Of course, if you want him
and think it's proper to take him at
your time of life and his'n, with them
nervous spells OF yours comm OH,
when it's hot water bags in II
jilfy. and the squeak Of mouse sets
your head to jumpin. why, I've nothing
more To say. amt one to NEEDLE or
make. But don't hev no profane par
rots around me. and when tho insurance
folks builds up my part of the house,
want the cap'n to know that I'm cock of
the walk and has no master orderin on
my quarter deck. don't black boots.
nor lift Trunks, nor run arrcnts, nor
stand sass from no man, | don't care
who he is. II you want him in your
part Of the house. Miss Mayhem, why,
take him; and may suthin bad and
black light on his head if he don't treat
you we'll" Here Ann broke down in a
fit Of passionate sobbing and tears.
At the end OF few weeks Littlefield
was startled by hearing that Captain
Bligh and Vinie Mayhem had been mar
ried very quietly on November morn
ing and were spending their honeymoon
at home. 1t would be difficult to say at
just what day and date Ann Basket was
won over to become. with the exception
OF his wife. the greatest admiror and al
vocate of the captain in the town. Fierce
had been her contention for the body and
soul of her mistress, the one creature she
had taken into her strong nature and
cherished like her own flesh and blood
The captain in time won place in her
loyal and strong soul almost equal to
that she gave to her. Gradually the
fragile lady. under the wonderful magic
OF love, began TO come back to the ways
Of health. driving beside her husband
living much in the open air, and on rare
occasions entering her neighbors' doors
People wondered ut the marvellous
tenderness and devotion so long latent
in the heart of this man, who for year,
had been an enigma to all around him
WhOoo boio INV WIS bVW "
make one trail woman happy. cherishing
her with his strength and watching
over her with care more than maternal
Life sweetened and frightened for these
two who 50 long had wandered on lone
ly and barren paths The old house un
der tho elIns seems to smile on the pass
ers M il it had renewed its youth, and
at times the door swings open to tho en-.
trance of guests. thus fulfilling thai
ideal Of hospitality that always lay So
close to Miss Mayhew's heart You may
see her almost any day, still ut her win
dow. returning the greetings Of In,
school children, still fashioning thos,
dainty little garments for the babies OF
her poor neighbors.
Life in the old Mayhem house il a
simple and transformations as Of old
Under the gentle prompting and influ
ence Of his wife the captain has found
new use and exercise for his energies
His fortune has become fruitful in tn,
best sense. and is blessed to others. Tn,
old house where he lived so many year
alone has been enlarged and altered
and turned into hospital for incurables
suDpOrted mainly by his riffs and inst