Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1895-09-05
MAGGIE's ElOPEMENT.

"You always did act queer, jim.
So said Mrs. Wigfall one night to
her husband, and she folded her arms
across her breast and looked at him
reproachingly.
Mr.. Wigfall was a successful farmer.
The school of experience, he said, had
cost him a good deal, but he had gone
through it and been profted in the
end. He always claimed to have
"ideas" of his own, which, somehow,
he invariably contrived to carry out
in way to suit himself. This was
the first time during twenty years OF
married life that his confding spouse
had ever questioned his methods, and
it surprised him so very much that he
could only look at her in dumb aston
ishment.
"Now, tell me what in the name of
common sense has set you so desper-
ately against Ted Minter?" she asked,
with asperity in her voice. Il always
thought you had very high opinion
of him before, ever since he was a
boy"
"He hasn't any Spunk, and, what is
worse, he isn't likely to have any as
long as he lives, replied Mr.. Wigfall.
"Pshaw, jim You know better than
that. Ted has got grit, and you know
it," cried Mrs. Wigfall. Then she
added, as a clincher: "He always man.
ages to come around and see Maggie
when he wants to, in spite of your
threat to shoot him on sight.
Maybe he does manage to come
But he doesn t want to see her very
bad, except when l have my back
turned, or am away from home.
"But he always comes in at the front
door," insisted Mrs. Wigfall.
"And always goes out of 1t, too, in
a hurry, when l show myself. 1t is
lucky for him that the cap snapped on
nv gun when l shot at him tonight.
"The gun was empty, jim, laughed
Mrs. Wigfall.
"How do you know"
ave examined it this evening be-
fore you came home.
"Ill lock that gun up after this, sc
you women folks cant meddle with 1t
And next time | snap a cap at Ted
Minter somebody is going to be hurt.
"Now, jim, said Mrs Wigfall, IL
persuasive tones, don't make foo
of yourself. l never did set mysel
up against you before, but in this
thing my whole heart is interested
and | will see that Maggie and Tee
get one another if they feel that way
inclined.
"And l have made up my mind thai
they shall be kept apart" said Mr.
Wigfall.
"Well, then, it is Ted, Maggie anc
myself that you will have to fight
and we will see who wins in the end.
"I've got an idea, and III bet OF
that" muttered Mr.. Wigfall.
a couple of days later Mrs. Wig
fall and her daughter Maggie were SIT
ting on the porch in the warm spring
sunshine, the former shelling the sea
sons first mess of new peas, and th'
latter busily engaged with her croche
needle.
Ted sent me note this morning
by Cousin Tom, saying he was coming
here this evening" said Maggie
"Now, mamma, can't you manage t.
keep papa off the porch tonight, so h
and Ted won't get into any trouble? !?
Il don't know, Maggie, but l cal
try" replied Mrs. Wigfall. Il wisI
YOU and Ted would hurry up and com
to an understanding before your fathe
becomes plumb cantankerous and doe
something desperate, and there wa
a look of anxiety in the mothers eye
as she stopped her work momen
and looked up at her daughter.
lied wants me TO run away VIII
him and marry him. He just begge
me and begged me the other evenln
when he was here.
at is a bad business at best, tn
running away" half mused Mrs. Wig
fall. There is no telling what tathe
would do then. You can't count o
him from one moment to the next.
Ted said he was not afraid.
"No; he would risk almost any
thing, I suppose, to get you.
"If he asks me again tonight, man
ma, what shall tell him ??
"I really don't know, daughter.
Then, looking up, smiling, she asked
"What would you like to tell him.
Maggie blushed prettily. Sue Spran