The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1895-03-19

him that they We're Martna's: that. in
fact, they had preceded his advent but
few minutes.
"All's fair in love and war;" she ar
sued; and gazed upon his features with
a scrutiny almost borderlngScn rude
ness.
1t was now Mrs. Blacks turn to ap-
pear embarrassed, and She excused
herself to clear away the tea-things.
Mr.. Coates eyes wandered around
the little parlor. and he was obliged t9e
admit that he had never come across i,
neater or coSier room. Everything was
In perfect harmony, even to the diminu-
tive canary in pink cage, hanging
against the spotlesS curtains.
Once more his eyes fell upon Mrs
Black. Singularly enough, now he
came to think of it, he discovered many
charming peculiarities, and divers ster-
ling qualities, all of which he bad failed
to notice previously.
Really" he mused, as he watched
the play Of her fingers among the cups
and saucers, "she is a charming crea.
ture. I-well, I might do a great deal
worse. And now think Of tive felt
lately that single life is apt TO be lone
ly. / shouldn't know whafEto do il
my old Martha were taken, and she
can't live forever"
Having hustled about as long as con
venient Mrs. Black returned to tho
charge by asking Mr.. Coates If he
would like to see-er-the dress-or at
least a picture of it. Mr.. Coates, now
prepared for almost anything, readily
acquiesced.
Skipping upstairs she returned with
ladies' journal.
"Of course" she explained, as she.
rapidly turned over the leaves, "it's not
the usual thing to consult the-the
brldegroom"-with blush-sbut we've
grown so confidential that f:;feel must
conhde in you. Therer' she:exclaimed,
as she found the page, that's the dress
white, of course, and there'l be Q
wreath Of orange blossoms passing
around here, and another bunch at the
throat. T hope you like it,
Mr.. Coates expressed his admiration
Of the dress and his appreciation OF her
choice, though he could not1for his life
detect the difference between it and
any Of Martha's kitchen gowns He,
was now so infatuated that he would.
probably have proceeded toexpresS ad-
miration for the lady Of the house, had
not the clock begun to strike
Dear mer' he exclaimed; Il reall,
must be off, Mrs. Black. Lhad no idea
how late it vas. How the time has
fown to be sure! You sect he contin-
ued, beamingly, Martha viii be walt
llns.:.up for me, and Ismusasosasider her
feelings in my-my new-found happi
ness"
Mrs Black held out her hand AMI
called up becoming blush.
"If you must CO." she murmured.
Mr. Coates took her hand in his and
held it a moment
Il must thank you before CO." he
said earnestly, "for the pleasant even
ing 1 have spent in your company L
I-hope we shall spend many more to.
gether."
Il trust so, Mr.. Coates"
He still held her hand.
"Good-night Mrs, Black" he said
softly.
"Good-night," she replied.
Still he seemed dissatisfied. lie
glanced toward the sueet-all was dark
and quiet. Mrs. Black was visibly en-
barrassed. He gave another glance
around the parlor. There also perfect
auiet reigned; it was impossible that
any one could be spying. Mr.. Coates
hcsitated no longer, but, yielding to his
sudden impulse, he clasped the widow
round the waist and kissed her-upon
the nose. and, setting her free, scam
pered dtSyn the garden path with all
the ardor of schoolboy.
'I've had tea, Martha" he shouted,
few minutes later, as he bounced into
the kitchen, having run all the way.
Don't want the cheesecakes-eat 'em
yourself, or give 'aul to the first
tramp"
Not until they were married and on
their way to Switzerland for the honey
moon did Mr.. Coates muster up cour-
age to ask for information regarding
the manner of his proposal. At that mo-
ment however, lovely bit Of scenery
claimed the brides attention, and Mr..
Coates was too happy to press the
question.
Lastly Martha, alder and abettor o1
the nefarious scheme, also shares the
universal contentment, for she has ut
last acquired a considerably larger, and
also steadily increasing, sphere in
which to cooperate. ."-Waverly Maya
zine.