The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1898-05-10

mug SAUL lie n0d studied to be a
civil engineer, but landl what did IL
amount to? Mary Jane was Of the siilS
kind that Thought they were in love; but
when she was Mrs. Silas Lufkin. with n
velvet carpet aud parlor organ, she
would be happy enough.
The storekeeper was widower with
two sons; but then, Mary Jane was
getting on; she would be twenty-seven
her next birthday, and Lyman Bee
was beginning to be called IAN old
bach"
Lyman Bee had disappeared with
his best clothes on. and not to soul
In Enfield had he confded his destina-
ton. Mrs. Fling went across the field
to Mrs. Deacon Judd's, after supper:
to see whether she could learn any
further particularly Deacon Judd was
the postmaster--but only learned that
Lyman had been seen crossing the toll
bridge, the highway to Carmel, and in
his top buggy. This seemed to point
towards Charlissy Porter and matri-
mony-as was clearly shown to Mary
Jane by her mother. Mary Jane said
to herself that she had perfect faith in
Lyman, md yet she could not sleep
that night: She almost repented that
she had not, long ago, agreed to Ly-
mans proposition to run away in that
top buggy and be married.
She knew that people said she was n
soft little thing, to be kept 80 under
her mothers thumb-but it is only
those who live with the thumb who
know its weight. Mrs. filings thumb
was weighted by threatening heart
diseasei she grew purple about the
lips If Mary Jane asserted herself at
all, especially in the matter of Lyman
Bee. And Mary Jane shrank with hor-
ror from the possibility of being her
mothers murderess.
What had promised to be real SEN
sation for Enfield came to an end the
next day, when Lyman Bee came driv-
ing quietly home, alone, in his top
buggy. But he gave no account of
himself The most adroit cross-dues-
tioning, the wariest suggestion failed
to elicit any information as TO the ex-
tent or the object of his journey.
Whether he would have told Mary
Jane or not will never be known, for
she studiously avoided the neighbor-
hood of the poison ivy. She went
about with heavy eyelids, and in her
heart there rankIed that report about
the Carmel toll bridge which led to
Charlissy Porter
On the second day after Lyman Bees
return, Mrs. Deacon Judd beckoned
mysteriously to Mrs. Fling from the
little square aperture in the postoffice.
where she was officiating in her hus-
bands absence. Mrs Fling waited
patiently until the little crowd that
collected when the mail was received
and assorted had taken its letters, and
gossiped its gossip aud gone, and then
she stepped inside the door which led
to the sacred interior precincts of the
office, held cautiously open for her by
Mrs. Judd. They we're old cronies-
the postmaster's wife and Mrs. Fling.
IF you didn't see it with your liv-
ing eyes i know You wouldn't believe
itH' whispered Mrs. Judd hoarsely.
And Lyman Bee, n church member.
too! II he amt whited sepulchre
there never was one. Thinks I
to myself, If I don't find out where
he's been, it's the first time / was ever
was beatl Look at thatr'
The postmaster's wife held out tri
umphantly postal card addressed 10
Lyman Bee, which Mrs. Fling eagerly
adjusted her glasses TO read.
No. tG7 has won the first prize.
3. b. FULLERTON. Sec.
Mrs. Fling read slowly, moving her
lips as child who cons its lesson.
When she had finished, she raised her
eyes in bewildered questioning 10
Mrs. Judd.
"a prizel it's just what was written
to Seth Loomis when he drew a prize
don't you remember or n
dozen years ago But it wasn't sur
prisiBg that Loomises should buy 10.
terry tickets
"a lottery ticketr gasped Mrs.
Fling, and tho color surged over her
heavy face.
"a first prize' said Mrs. Judd.
Seth Loomis's was only third. aud
he got ten thousand dollars. this must
he as much as twenty thousand
! shouldn't he a mite surprised il twas
thirty. Think Of Lyman Bee having
all that money! But don't bo over
come, Mis- Fling, you look most a. II
you was going 20 have a stroke. OF
course, il twas honest earnings on
money that he had left him, twould