Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1895-12-05

There was strange expression in
them, and her cheek was flushed with
excitement She broke the pause that
followed his speech by saying abruptly;
"A short man and q tall woman are
hideous combination! A man should
be just little taller than his wife"
"Oh. my dear Miss Choate," coaNed
Mr. ormsbee, lis that vitality import
ant?
1T is to me" answered Miss Choate,
1t should not be" argued Mr.. Orms-
bee. Fred is OF your own age, and
that is much"
Il am half sick of young men," de-
clared Miss Choate, nursing her hand,
My daughter, what do you meau?"
interposed her mother, trihe shocked,
Just what | say. mother, like
old men best"
Leila" The note of surprise in he,
mothers tone was intensified now.
II can't help it, mother and don't
care; do like old men best, and my
hand pains me dreadtully, and l am
going to retire." Which she immedi-
ately did. with cool little rod to Mir,
Ormshee.
There was another face hehiud the
rerfumery counter for week, and
then Miss Choate reappeared. She
vas glad to get back, and smiled a
welcome TO Mr.. Ormsbee when he
made his customary round 1t was
,,nopInl emilia thn,s VII mud whom
he attempted to sha' hands she said:
You see l can't" di laying her
right hand, still wrapped in thin
bandage.
But the other will do" he said.
I'm fact, it will do better, because it
is nearest the heart" He was stand
ing behind the counter, and speaking
in voice calculated to reach no cars
but hers,
He looked very handsome and cheer
full as he stood there--his splendid
form III faultless attire, and his black
hair, which showed not thread OF
gray, spite of his 40 years, tossed back
from his broad forehead. Miss Choate
looked AT him out OF the sides of her
eyes, that he might not see how she
admired him, and she appeared very
demure, with her long lashcs sweeping
her cheek.
You have heard that, have you not
about the left hand?"
oh yes" she returned Carelcssly,
but there's positively nothing in it"
What? 1t certainly is nearest the
heart"
Yes, really but that doesn't prove
anything, because it may be Il cold
heart it is near, you know"
But it isn't a cold heart in this
case-don't tell me that, Miss Choate,
because | won't believe it," Miss
Choate looked at him strangely, and
made the reply:
This brand of olive oil is, in my
opinion no better than those we have
been selling. 1t is bottled differently,
to be sure, but | have strong reason
for thinking it the very same quality
with a higher price set on it. Mr..
Ormsbee, amazed at the irrelevancy of
her remark, looked in the direction her
eyes had taken, and saw the retreating
figure of the bargain soap girl, who
had been very near during his CONVEX
sation about hearts.
That is all very WELL of course,
Miss Choate," he said, returning to the
81, &c, but | am delightfully."- sure of
one thing, having had it from your
own lips that is, that you like old
men best"
That statement was made under
pressure. Please consider it void"
NO, | shall not" Mr.. Ormsbee had
turned his back TO the bargain soap
girl, and now said in a manner that
made Miss Choate understand how
thoroughly in earnest he was:
Nothing ever made me so happy as
that statement, ana | shall hold you
to it strictly. | came to you that
afternoon on an Aldenese errand, but
now | am speaking for myself"
A few months later they made
splendid pair and as the new Mrs.
OTmsbee, in beautiful travelling
gown, passed Mr., Fred Ormsbee on her
way to the carriage, she patted his
sweetly scented locks and murmured:
BE good boy, Fred" She had not
quite forgiven his little stature for
aspiring to her height.
They rolled away amid shower Of
rice and old shoes, but Fred stood
sulkily to one side and muttered with
infinite scorn;
BE a good boy