The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-02-04

when everyone knew that face was dis
figured by whistling mouth.
Miss Smith, whose age was an nm
Known quantity between 90 and 40, and
who had set her cap so often that that
nrticle was badly frayed around its fig
urative edges, said, mo, he shan't DO
bamboozled, not if 1 have to warn him
myself ~
And 1t is on record that she did warn
the daring man.
In spite of al this opposing element in
his flock, Mr.. Haviland could not helm
thinking how dull life would be without
Il certain flower whose perfume he alone
seemed to have discovered.
One bright September day he walked
over to Aunt Dorothy's little cottage.
intending to invite Nellie to accompany
him upon an errand of mercy. AS he
reached the gate he stopped a moment.
The front door was wide open. Nellie.
dressed III pink calico, with cap of the
Same material only partly concealing
her fluffy brown hair, was busily en-
gagged with broom and buster in the
hall. There was happy look upon her
innocent face. When, as if birdlike,
She could not restrain her joy. the ruby
lips puckered bewitchingly, and the
notes of hymn trilled forth with star
ting clearness and truth.
Suddenly the unconscious warbler was
electrified into silence by tho sharp
words, Perfectly shocking, isn't it?"
CHANGING up, she saw Aunt Dorothy
standing with watering can in hand ms
II preparing to water her own feet, which
seemed rooted to the ground.
Sho was staring at Mr.. Haviland, who
leaned upon the cato with puzzled ex-
preston upon his face.
Not waiting to hear his answer Nellie
fled to her own room, where she INDUCED
i'll that which seldom spoiled her happy
face-a good 'cry" For sho doubted
not that sho had forfeited her place in
tho minister's esteem.
She was not surprised, then, when
Aunt Dorothy met her with: Now you
have done it! My goodness. don't
know what to do with you'll You're
enough to try Il saints paticnce."
But Nellie was surprised when her
aunt handed her Il note from Mr.. Hayi-
land containing his request to accom-
pany him to the house of some poor pco-
pie who lived several miles away.
"Shall go?" she asked her aunt.
"Of course? No use making matters
worse by refusing"
So Nellie said she would accompany
the minister, though her sensitive nature
rebellcd against the trial.
After packing basket of food for the
poor people, Nellie waited in nervous
anxiety for her escort. When he ar
rived, she quietly allowed him to assist
her into the trap, where she sat almost
dumb, Il panied expression upon her
face.
"What is the matter with you today"
asked the minister as they trundlcd
through the green fields.
Nellie trembled at his kindly tones.
but she would not be drawn into CON
vcrsation until
But there, no matterl What right
have we to intrude? Suffice it to say
that the next day Mr.. Haviland asked
! Aunt Dorothy for Mellie's hand.
That worthy dame could not help say
ing, But, Mr.. Haviland, she is a wills
Ting girl, and you know
There, there, don't say word against
tho future mistress of tho parsonage"
he interrupted.
And so, amid shocked Gimptown's sur
prised talk, the doomed old maid of 20
winters was converted into Il happy bride
of 20 summers
Runor has it that Miss Smith is prac-
ticing the much abused art of whistling.
But heartless rumor also says that she
whistles i'll Vain-ENchanup