The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1896-12-26

And on earth, gco0 Will 10 menI
somehow she didn't look very cordia
standing there in that long black thing
hanging around her.
~ don't wauter hinder you," hi
continued.
II wasn't thinkin' Of goin' out" re-
piled Pat;ence, and then she laughed.
"Now, what's the joke" asked the
squire, looking somewhat relieved al
this sudden change in demeanor or
her part.
II guess I don't seem over'n above
polite" said Patience apo]ogetically,
"but ! couldn't keep from laughing tc
think Of goin' out in this rig" and she
threw off the cloak and stood smiling
and biushiug before the squire.
"Why, Pattie!" cried the squire,
using tho old familiar name uncon
sciously, ''you lools pretty's d pic
ture."
II guess you'll think I'm fool
said she.
81 guess not" he returned. ''Seems
to me I've seen you wear that drest
before"
81 didn't s'pose you'd remember,
murmured she.
"Don't seem 8 though twas more'n
a weok since you Wore it to thst party
over to our house." no continued in Il
reminiscent tone.
"Don't it?"' she returned family,
her eyes downcast.
"Pattie." said he, regarding her ten
derly. II made q mistake grca'
many years ogo-we won't talk abou
that, though. But I always thought G
sight of you, az I've been tainkin
considerable bout old times lately
an wonderin' if you didn't-that is i
you wouldn'tgive mo another chance.
Would she! Did she understand
It all seemed like a dream.
81 want you for my wife, Pattie,
SAID he softly.
"Oh, Squire Willard, do you really
mean it?" she exclaimed tremulously.
"Mean it! Why. Pattie:' said the
squire reproachfulJy.
And his arguments in the afirma'
tive were 80 very conclusive and con
vincing that Patience felt her doubts
gradually melt away and speedily be-
lieved herself to be the happlest woman
in the world.
In fact they both sai]ed up into the
seventh heaven OF bliss, where they
doubtless would have remained indf"
nltely but for Patienco's unfortunate
memory. She suddenly withdrew from
her lovers encircliug arms.
esquire Willard" said she, serious
ly. II just forgot myself"
"That's all right; I hope you'll for
get yourself again." returned he.
you'd better forget to call me squire,
too"
~ amt jol.in'," said Patience, with
dignity, ''an' think oughter know
'bout that widder woman you're go;n
to marry"
"Widdcr ~woman!' cried the squire
in astonishment. ''I ain't goin' to
marry any wilder, unless you're one. D
'Don't you 60 regular to LiuebrooL
to see widder with two GROWING
daughters" demanded Patience.
"Yes, I do" answered tho squire,
his eYes twinkling, "but I dunno's I'm
obliged to marry her + do"
"No. 1s'pose you can go around
breakin' women's hearts," returned
Patience, her voice trembling. She
felt that. her idol IVES shattered and
her short-lived happiness at ON end.
Snow, Pattio, said the squire, re.
pressing al evident inclination to
laugh, 81 shouldn't thought you'd be
'ieved any such yarn. / s'posed thai
you knew that l went over to Line
brook to see Sister Ellen. She lost
her husband six months ago aud she'1
her girls have como there to live"
"Well, if that don't beat all.
dunno's you'll ever forgive me,
faltered Patience.
.'Well, Ill try" returned he ;s'roeer
I begin now"
The squire never did anything by
halves, and certainly the happy
penitent could not complain that ht
was not very thorough in this matter
Of granting absolution.
He made one demand, however,
which was not refused, and on New
Years Day the wedding bells rang
lnerrily for the squire and his bride.
swell, I'll be switched" exclaimed
S,ster.in.law Susan, "if Patience ain''
sly one !"