The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1898-09-17


home" She caught her breath in short
gasps, but when John was silent her pink
face suddenly paled. 81 reckon it's ask
ing heap too much of you, John, but
don't hold it against me. | couldn't see
any other way. Good by, john" Sic
WAS turning away
'Don't go yet, Sarah. IL think your
idea is good, but it might not work. Jack
son Smith is sharp. He'd see right through
it, buff you would be willing W.
could drive over to Squire Halls this after
noon and be married. l wouldn't trouble
you any, Sarah. We could go on just the
same, and I'll never want to marry any
one else, and if you should you could get
a divorce, you know.
son you're sure it makes no difference
you don't mind, Jo1n?' Her tone WAS
eager.
"No, | don't mind. I'd help you any
way | could, Sarah. It's nigh noon now.
I'll drive over for you in the buggy right
after dinner
II Il he ready, and wouldn't have
asked you, John, only -only-you under
stand how it is, don't you?" Her face
was red again.
why, Sarah where have you been? you
look as rosy as poppy and Mrs. Smith
wiped the tears from her eyes as she gaz ID
at her daughters face.
"I've been attending to business for us,
mother You will not leave the place.
I'm going over to Squire Halls this even
ing. John Howard is coming to take me
in the buggy
The sun was sinking low in the west
when John Howard and Sarah returned
from the Squire $.
''Will you come in, John, and stay about
some? Id-Id rather you'd tell him. it
you don't mind" Sarah said
John hitched the horse and Went in.
He walked to the bedside OF Jackson Smith
and sat down
"Uncle Jackson" he began, "I've come
to tell you what I've done. You know
that I've often warned you that some day
you will lose tie most valuable pc, session
you had"
cts the brinde heifer," interrupted
Jackson Smith his eyes swapping augrily.
'John Howard, you think because am on
my deathbrd that you can do as you please,
but l'll show you. It's just like you to
shoot neighbours heifer just because she
jumped into your wheat. | don't expect
anything better of you the whole party is
made up of thieves and cutthroats-but III
leave it in my will. Jackson Goggon shall
law aud law until" He sank back ex-
hausted from his outburst
"lf you get that angry over that brindle
hefer, Uncle Jackson, don't know what
you will say when I tell you that | have
not touched the heif+r, but l have married
Srah.n
"Marred-Slrah! !" and Jackson Smiths
eyes diated. Married SARAH" he said,
under his breath. "John, give me YOUR
hand. | knew Sarah was Smith. Why,
there never was an old maid in the Smith
family, but it did seem she meant to take
after the Walkers-hcr mother was a
Walker. can 90 in peace, John, now
that you have lifted the disgrace from the
Smith family. Call Sarah. | want to
give her the brindle heiFer"
| When the lawyer came the next dav, he
wrote will hequeathing all, save a life
interest to Mrs. Smith, to his beloved
daughter, Sarah, who had gladdened the
last hours of his life.
few days later, with all due ceremony,
Jackson Smith was laid away by the side
of other Smiths. John Howard went home
with his wife and her mother. At the
porch he halted awkardly seeing which
Sarah turned.
"Will you come in, John?" she asked.
I'm afraid it would only poster you if
l did. reckon ought to go home, but
hate to leave you - you women folks
alone and you'll be kind of lonesome
now
"G0u might stay. We could fix up
fathers room real comfortable if you would
just as soon," said Sarah, beginning to
realize the awkwardness of her position.
"Id like to, Sarah | could tend the
crops just as well, but I'd feel as if l was
living off of you women, and-you might
get to hate me if hung around"
"You needn't be afraid of that, John,
said Sarah, tapping her foot nervously on
the porch floor. at would be the easiest
/ way out of our-our-diemma, but, il
you'd rather not stay we could explain to
folks how it was you jus. married to save
the farm"
"But, Sarah, if we told that, it would
be lie. l took advantage of your trouble
to get you married to me, and you didn't
suspect me, but now feel mean and as If
you will not respect me when l tel you
the truth" Sarah gazed at him in won
der What could he mean she thought,
but no sound came from her lips, and he
continued "1've been trying for ten years
to ask you to marry me, but mover could
| do il and xyhap uor o,,,o - $50 x,o,,~