The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1897-03-12

though he was in sech er hurry. Now,
you listen at me, Magnolyer, jest you
mind me, an you kin mary Ben Top
mark an be as big er dog as any er the
big dogs"
Magnolia flung her arms above her
head, with quick shiver.
II WON'T have heem, " she said duly.
II woouldn't-no, not for nurthin.
All l wants err heem is-murney. l
woouldn't stand heem er yaair fer all
hee's ct IL hate heem, do-ef-
Of he stays jest or leetle while. -
lyon air er big fool" Mrs. Annis
said roughly, 'all on account er Noch,
an, though he is all the child I've got,
I'm bound ter say he is no account
wusser'n no account. Besides you jest
as well see, fust as last, he wont new
er marry you, not eff you git your full
rights an money besides. "
"Burt-bnrt-the leetle
unv' Nagnolia gasped, her mouth gath
ering wnileness. "He---he CANT deny
1.-THE pore leetle un. It's year ole
now. Eff | Jest had it an Noch-an-
an we had er place whar nobody know
ed''-
"Shet upv' Mrs. Annis commanded.
seal, femme tell you somethin. Noch's
like all the rest er men--crazy fer what
he amt got. Now he's plumb distracted
arfter Betty Hlnsley. He'll git her too.
Now Hinsleys done gone ter Jail, Bet
TVS free as any on us. "
II mought as we'll be dead, then"
Magnolia said passionately, dropping
into chair and breaking into dry sobs
But IN little her eyes went back to the
gay ribbon. She got up and began to tie
it about her round waist. Then she
draped the kerchief over her shoulders
and smiled to sec how ivory fair hep
long throat showed in contrast. When
her dusky hair had been piled high OH
her head, she Surveyed herself in the old
clocks looking glass face and said still
smiling:
81 would look right fine eff had fine
clothes all the time"
eyes, an mean ter see that you git
um," Mrs. Annis, added with her most
energetic nod.
A very wise man has said there is no
such thing as trifle. And myriad hui
man beings will echo the saying when
they cast back to crucial minutes and
note whereupon they hinged. IL only
Nam Liza had not been at perpetual
feud with Luce Allen, Miss Winfield and
her mother might have postponed if not
wholly escaped very bad quarter of an
hour. Luce was the foremost Of the
black passersby who came upon Jack
and Rob. She had seen enough to make
her smile, thrust her tongue in the cheek
and resolve to 60 to Mrs. Winfold's
bright and early next morning. Besides
born gossip's relish for things Of ac-
count she knew she could give herself
the double satisfaction of revenge upon
Nam Liza and Of getting even with
Mrs. Winfield for more than one grudge
kept this long time in mind.
Yet her face was pattern of demure
and ebon innocence when she came ask
ing if Miss Alice and Miss Sairey could
not be persuaded to undertake making
her q new black calico against an occa-
sion of combined funerals soon to come
off at Boiling Spring church. They
agreed readily, and throughout the time
of cutting and fitting Luce let her tongue
run to such purpose that she left them
both upon the verge of stormy tears.
That was not surprising if you con-
slider that Miss Winfield s world thought
her as tender hearted as she was admit
rable. Her mother said indeed she didn't
see how dear Alice got along even as
we'll as she did, so sensitive as she was.
Why, the least little trouble coming to
anybody made her cry half day.
Brother even noticed it and was mighty
careful Of what he told her, and when
it came to conscience, ooh, my, eff Alice
thought anybody, no matter who er
what they might be. had injestice done
'em, most of all by anybody that was
anything ter her, why, I do believe
Alice would go almost out Of her mind"
Assuredly Miss Alice had fountain
of ready tears. They flowed freely as
she said, looking after the vanishing
black woman:
"Mommer, what makes you stare at
me that way? God knows wish could
say don't believe anything, but do
L JuSb huOW, III ldCb, LuCo tOlu tuo
truth.
Mrs. Winfold's heels beat rataplan
on the floor. 1t was full half minute,
indeed, before she gathered voice to say:
''It amt, it can't, it shan't, DO SO!
The idear, brother goin ter court that
little upstart mink, that limb, that
vixen, Rob McGregor, an Jack Talbot
engaged ter her an huggin her in the
face of daylight an everybody! Eff them
things can be, CANT no longer believe
in Providence. Poor Mrs. Talbot
know she'd heap ruther see Jack dead,
as I'd ruther SEQ brother''-
"Do shut up, can't you? I'm sick an
tired Of all you can say about anythingl"
Alice interrupted irritably. "Let me
get my head clear. must think hard.
There's a way out of all this. I'll find
it as sure as my names Alice Winfield"
Dear me alivel Eff it stays Alice