Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1895-03-06
MRS. BLACKS

"Oh. dearw cried Mr.. Coates. furtive
ly mopping his forehead, "whatevel
can 1t mean?"
He knitted his brow and gazed frs
ut the ceiling. then at the floor, and
finally took out Of his pocket and read
for the fifth time the following note:
Dear Mr.. Coates-I am deeply sen
sible Of the honor you have conferred
upon me in asking me to be your wife
and hasten to say that to nobody could
SO confidently give my hand and
heart. 1 quite agree with you that we
are both past the nonsensical age, and
shall be happy to conform to your
wishes as regards the absence Of undue
ceremony. II you are really bent on the
twenty eighth I will try to manage 1t.
Yours affectionately,
MATILDA BLACK.
Myrtle Cottage"
Mr.. Coates buried his face In his
hands and subjected himself to a Sc
we're metal cross-eXamination.
What did happen last night after
that innocent little festival? I remem-
Der taking Mrs. Black home, but I'll
swear didn't speak ten words all tho
way. The weather. know, we touch
ed upon, and l think l made some
slight allusion to the moon. Beyond
that I'll take my oath nothing more
passed-most certainly nothing Of the
alarming nature insinuated. Egad.
though. l don't remember the parting
at the gate! 1t is possible-but no! 1t
Is impOssible-preposter
Mr.. Coates unused for few moments,
then he broke out again:
"Of course, I've nothing to say
against the woman-as woman-she's s
nice, decent little body, and II
wanted a wife I'd as lief pitch on her
as any one. But don't want to mar
~. I've knocked along in single bless
edness these forty years come Michael
mas, and have never felt the need Of a
wife. Moreover, Martha understands
me like book, and I doubt IL there's
her equal in all Thornbury for cheese
cakes and delicious mullins"
The mention of his handmade SEEM
ed to offer a suggestion to Mr.. Coates,
and ringing the bell, he requested Mar
tha to give him the pleasure Of q few
minutes conversation.
Martha was a jewel Of cook and 4
nice housekeeper. She had made 1t her
special object in life to minister to Mr..
Coates comfort; 1t needed but half an
eye to see that she had not been unsuc-
cessful. She had but one complaint
the smallness Of the field she worked
in. In her own words, she wanted "a
larger spere to hoperate in"
Martha had long desired to see Mr..
Coates married; and although she
knew her position too we'll to try to in
struct her master. she had by various
gentle hints conveyed to him her will.
lngness to be under the superintendent
of another.
All these hints had proved unavail-
Ing. though as Mr.. Coates called her to
his study on this particular night, sew
eral of the aforesaid were presented to
his feverish Imagination In their true
significance.
Take a seat, Martha, please"
Martha dumped herself into the near
est chair, rubbing her foury hands the
while, and Mr.. Coates proceeded In as
of-hand q manner as he could COM
mand:
Lets see; what time did I come
home last night?"
"Why, sir. 1 should say about ten
o'clock-mebbe a quarter past"
..Ah, to be sure; you see, my watch
stopped last night, Martha, and I-er-
have reasons for wishing to know the
exact time"
- cir
Mr. Coates nerved himself up for an.
other effort
by the way, Martha. you didn't no
dee anything extraordinary In my con.
duct last night, did your
"Extraordinary In your conduct, siri
No, sir, that 1 didn't and the chap as
means to insinuate-
"Stay, Martha, l didn't say that any
one Lad been insinuating. / merely
wished to know from your lips that my
conduct last night was just the same as
on every other night. Can you assure
me confidently that such was the case.
Marthar
Eyes. sir. excepting"
Excepting what7 Speak out Mar
tha- Don't be afraid"
wen, SlE, yOu SuuS yuSs . Assa0 Wv
not boisterous, sir, nor rowdy like; but
Just low and sweet, sir, as II You were
afraid Of being overheard. In fact Dir.
(: was quite a treat to hear you"
II sang. Martha" echoed Mr.. Coates,
In genuine amazement, knowing full
we'll that he had not done such thing
10 twenty years. "Are You quite SUR
Of that, Martha"
Perfectly, sir"
Mr.. Coates thought long and deep for
moment while his cOuntenance De-
trayed his worst apprehensiohA
Perhaps you can tell me what sana
about, Martha-the words, mean.
why. no. sir, can't say that 10
member the words, but 1t went some
thing like
Happy the wooing
That's not long ADDING"
What" gasped Mr. Coates.
Martha slowly repeated the une1,
Mr.. Coates groaneS -