Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1896-04-06

But soon her mood schanged. She
began to cry heartbrokenly.
Big Alec Penland grew as weak as a
baby.
''Dely, if you won't come out hyar
I'm er comm in thar" he cried, and
in another minute he had her in his
strong arms.
1t was only for a second, however.
Dely's sobs stopped suddenly. She
struggled to get free.
"Ain't yer 'shamed, Alec Penlan',
an me most ez good ez married ter
Bob Wilson!"
Alec released her instantly and
stood looking at her. his face drawn
and pale.
''You act like plumb fool, Alec, "
whimpered DEFY.
81 reckon mabby 1 do" said Alec,
humbly.
He looked at her, his heart sinking,
bat he saw that she was trembling for
all her harsh words.
"Dely, Dely, DEFY !" called sharp,
menacing voice.
"That's ma !" exclaimed Dely. Wild
ly. ooh, Alec, don't let her see ye.
She'll bang her head ergin the wall
wus n ever she banged hit when Bob
axed fer me an she banged hit ergin
when Susan Harris brung home my
weddin' gown. Oh, Alec, why won't
yer go? She's er comin'l !"
Alec went, seeing that the danger
was imminent.
Mrs. Townshend called again. "I'm
comm, ma," and Miss DEFY hastened.
"What air you er foolin' away your
time for down thar, an here's Jim
Wilson been ter tell yer that Bob's
took powerful bad an the doctor aint
no hopes on him hardly. Err pretty
piece er work thet is, an you'll git
talked about fine. An yer got yer
weddin' dress an ALL" ieered the old
woman.
Miss Dely grew sick all over. Was
there then no escape from this life?
"Jim wanted yer ter go over thar,
but I telled him / wouldn't hev no
slch work as that-my da'ter running
after man thet away"
They had reached the thouse now,
and there in the living-room was the
wedding gown Dely had been SO proud
of.
She began to weep.
''You shet up, Dely Townshend I"
cried her mother. "Ef yer don't I'll
bang my head all to pieces ergin the
wall !" and she gave it hard thump.
"Oh, ma, don't, don't!" shrieked
Dely. 'l won't cry. I won't do
nothin'."
The old woman sat down in her
splint rocker.
''Yer'd better not then !"
The menace in her black eyes meant
business, and Dely, choking down her
sobs, went about getting dinner.
Poor Bob Wilson never recovered
from his sudden illness. He begged
to see Miss DEFY, and in the dead mid
night she stole out trembling and went
and stayed an hour by his sick bed.
81 hate ter leave ye," said Bob
kindly. "But thar's Alec thinks q
heap on ye. Twas q mighty squar'
thing his givin' ye up ter me like he
did"
ooh, Bob, don't talk thet a. -wayl"
cried Miss Dely.
Hers was sincere soul and here
was Bob dying, but she was absolutely
powerless to tell him the whole truth.
"Weil, well! It's all right, 1 sup
pose" said Bob weakly.
He was so nearly done with his life
that its loves and hopes did not matter
much.
Dely's wedding gown was presently
put away in the old family chest and
DEFY went about her duties with
salder face.
ga widder 'thout ever bein' mar.
lied" sneered her mother, and the
kind neighhors added that it "'peared
like DEFY Townsend was pintedly
meant fer an old maid"
In the few weeks that followed Bob
Wilson's death, Alec Penland did
deal of thinking and day dreaming.
Pleasant thoughts and pleasant dreams
they were, too, one would guess by
lHo seIGue cApIeSSlOu Oh MS bTrOQg,
kind face. He worked some at "fxin'
things" around home.
Alec had lived alone, keeping house
for himself ten years or more, and it
is putting it mildly to say that the ap-
pearance of the house, both inside and
out, indicated that such had been the
case.
One day found him at Mrs. Towns.
hend's door.
Mrs. Townshend was carding cotton.
She gave him but curt welcome.
81 hope you air we'll enough,
ma'am," said Alec, with Difference.
'Pm only jest tol'able," was the
cold reply.
"Where IS Miss Dely?" ventured
Alec presently.
"She's down ter the springplace,
but l don't reckon thet consarns YOU"
Alec's heart beat hard, but he an
swered boldly:
eyes it do, ma'am, bekase me an
DEFY air goin' ter git married."