The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1894-03-24
INTRIGUE.
ny sTERiNNO KANE.

Parson Iurbell to her house since his
wite's death.
"No, indeed" aho said TO herself;
"l'm too proud and proper to be givin'
invitations to men that's manageable,
or soon will be, and hive people nc
cuzin' me Of seltin' traps, though in.
deed the parson would DO II good l;otch
for any wOinan-nO children and n com
Portable salary. don't SEQ us thoro'd DO
any harm in Just sayin' 10 him, casual
like, next Sunday. that tho cuttings
comm oil and tho sisters would be giud
to have him call round to my house
that day. I'd Just like for him to taste
my pies and headchue.e; il ho did he'd
be a.wishin' he could have such nil
tho time-which he could in my
house. But | suppose, like nll
old widowGrs, nothin' would please
him but sweet sixteen if he wanted 10
marry again. Good gracious! there
goes tho parson down the road now!
III just speak to about the QuiItin' and
ask him ii he wouldn't like 10 drop in
about dinner time. Poor fellow! he
looks lonesome.like, and it's n Christian
duty to make life pleasant to them that's
in trouble! Hello. Parson Tarbell!
Hello! Just want to speak to you Il
minute!" and Miss Sophronia ran down
to the gate, eXcusing her boldness with
as many bushes and as much fair
speech rs il aLc and tho parson had
ECan strangers, whereas sho had been Il
member OF his church ten years, and
had often talked with him at the gate
without the slightest embarrassment.
But then circumstances alter cases."
The parson couldn't guy Tor certain
he'd drop in ii lie could.
"'Tworld be appropriate like, pnrson,
TO have you there, just TO say grace;
people don't look religious when thoy
TALL to eatin' n good dinner without
praisin' Him, from whom all blessings
flow"
Tho parson walked away, convinced
that he had fully appreciated
Miss Sophronia's goodness.
S%ophronia skipped gayiv 10 the house,
looking back furtively 10 see if tho
parson observed the youthful agility
she was displaying for his benefit. Tho
parson saw it, and SO girlish was her
little dash up the yard. he forgot she
waa n spinster in the forties.
Miss Sophronia did not hint to the
sisters the likelihood oil the Parsons.
presence at the quilting. She had her
own reasons for keeping the secret.
When they camo pouring into So
phrnnia's house, they were amazed tosee
htr in q silk dress and her hair curleh
much rs L wore 1t twenty-years be-
fore.
"Mercy. Sophronia! Why, you're
dressed up like as il you'se goin' TO u
party. " hat does it mcan?"
"Oh. nothin'," answered Miss So
ph-onia lauGhinely. "Pm gettin' my
old cashmere fixed over, and this is the
only decent dress l had ready to wear.
Quiltin' won't soil silk"
The quilting was under full Roadway,
and as it was getting toward noon Mics
Sophronia seemed uneasy like and kept
looking out the window.
What on earth are you Iookin' at So.
~phronia?" asked Nancy Smiter. Your
eyes seems to be sot on the road instead
OF this quilt"
'L.ookIn' at the weather; that's all
there is out there" answered the host
ess, and che smiled again with seeming
Indifference.
'Twasn't long until there was n rap ut
the front door. In her haste to SEQ who
could be coming just at dinner time
Miss Sophronla nearly tore tho quilt
IRON it's moorings.
why, here's tho parson!" she ex-
claimed with profound amazcment,
which she intended the q%uil,ers to hear.
Then in an undertono to the parson
she said: They'll be mighty glad to
sec you, parson. l wanted to surprise
EN-, SO don't give Il hint that l invited
you. Just say q little bird told you VIC
were all here at work, and you thought
you'd just drop in and take a bite with
US, KNOWN you'd DO welcome"
The little subterfuge was SO sweetly
put that the parson was tickled.
There vas a stir around the quilt
when tho parson, rubbing his hands,
and bowling, entered and told the little
bird intrlSuc-a great stir, for Miss
Sophronia was not the only minated
dove present There was Nancy
Smiter, widow: Mrs. Sudley, grass.
widow, and Miss belinda Bounce, the
youngest lady OF tho group. and still.
hanging from 4 matrimonial bougl,
hoping to be plucked. Miss Sophronia
was too sensible and contrivin'-like to
seat q mourning parson near the light
hearted butterfly, who might spread
her wings and light on his heart with
Just half a chance.
Tho parson was warmly greeted by
all; but i'll Il moment heads went TO-
gether to whisper and elbows nudged
neighbors. II tho parson hadn't been
SO busy eying Miss Sophronia's silk
dress and curls he might have heard
Nancy Smiter say to Belinda Bounce:
"Ah, ha! thought something was up
when | SEQ that silk dress! Sophronia
can fool some folks, bu. not me. She
mint a-fxin' her cashmere, she's a-fxin'
her future"
After this suggestion Miss Bounce lost
interest in the quilting party.
Soon the conversation turned on Miss
Sophronia's being such n worker when
she had no one but herself TO work for.
Pulling away At her needle Hiss So.
phronia answered: "My Bible says BE
instant in season and out OF season, for
you know not what n day will bring
and while there's life there's hope"
Tho quotations were q little mixed,