Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1897-05-05

long before he was returning to his
boat with his empty baskets.
On the journey back he stopped at
o humble little house near the wharf
to ask for drink, and q young wo-
man of perhaps twenty years answered
his knock. She willingly brought to
him dipper of clear, cool water. The
dipper was of tin, bat it was as clean
and shining as silver.
Over its rim Abner eyed the giver
with interest. She was little, plump
and dimpled, with trimness about
her which especially pleased Abner.
He thanked her civiily.
"May L ask your name?" he ven-
tured. wiping his mouth on his shirt
sleeve.
ssSusie Brown" answered the girl,
pretty pink coming into her checks.
"Mine's Abner Mullens-and I'm
much obliged to you," responded Abb
ner, with unwonted gallantry; then
he turned and went on his way.
"Trig little sloop," he said to him.
self; "kitchen looked shipshape, too.
1 don't object to good looks if there's
something to ballast them, and Abner
cast off his painter and pulled for
home with long, steady strokes which
carried him swiftly through the dane.
ing, sparkling waves.
Somehow Abner's little house seemed
actually lonely to him that night, and
the next day the same feeling possessed
him. He could not quite under.
stand it.
He did not think so much about
getting rid OF the work as usual. The
vision of a neatlittle figure fitting here
and there, and of bright smile well
coming him on his return from fishing,
haunted him.
On the day following, Abner per-
suaded himself that it was necessary
to take load of fish to Bayport, and
he expended unaccustomed care on his
toilet before he started. Usually he
went from his fish cleaning or from
clam. digging without thought OF his
appearance, but now he put on clean
flannel shirt and even trimmed his
rough beard,
After his cargo was disposed of he
again raped at the little door. Susie
opened it to him and quickly brought
him his drink, with smile of recog-
nit:on. This was all, yet somehow
Abner felt that his acquaintance had
advanced step.
After this it became all accustomed
thing for Abner to GO to Bayport to
do his trading, and he never failed to
stop at the house by the wharf to
quench his thirst.
Susie was always busy about the
kitchen, brisk end deft, with CHEEKY
word OF welcome. Once she was fry
ing doughnuts and she gave him one /;
delicious circle of crispness which he
ate approximately and with pleased
anticipation OF the future.
Hc never crossed the threshold, but
sometimes he leaned against the door.
frame, watching the swift movements
of Susie and indulging in little la.
bored conversation; or he would
linger as if about to say something,
then suddenly turn and hurry down
the street as if in great haste.
"He must be steady man," said
Susie to herself one days IS Dia
watched the retreating figure, ''or it
wouldn't be water he'd want 80 much
OF. But he does look like an orang-
utan or a wild man with all that
beard, and he aint got much use Of
his tongue!"
At last came a morning when Abner
spoke. Susie was unusually bewitch-
ing that day, in fresh print gown
and distracting little sweeping.cap.
"Susie," he said, swallowing hard
in his effort tospeak naturally. "Su.
sie-I want you to marry mel"
Susie dropped her broom and stared.
"Don't say word!" said Abner in
great haste. 'tl've got thousand
dollars laid up, and I'll be good hus-
band to you. You won't find the work
hard, and I'll fit you out well. Think
it over, and I'll be around day after
tomorrow. Abner was Off before
Susie, confused and blushing, could
utter word.
That evening Abner sat on. his door
step and looked out over the bay. 81
expect l'll miss being alone" he said.
"But reckon it'll be smooth sailing.
I'll keep the tiller J"
The next day he began to clean
house. "lt's only fair to give her =
clear start" he said, as he scrubbed
vigorously.
he was down on his hands and knees
mopping up the floor wins shadow
fell before him. He '5ossg - his
doorway was O. e y. ibs jig--y 'f q
middle-e Es1ar .s. i-u f
yer7 4, ai, cat
!! -~l "It=s aai'
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