The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1898-01-26

ty pink coming to her cheeks.
Mines Abner Mullins-and I'm much
obliged to you" responded Abner, with I'M
wonted gallantry; then he turned and went
on his way.
Trim little sloop." he said to himself:
Kitchen looked shipshape too l don't OBJ
Ject 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 dancing, sparkling waves.
Somehow Abner'S house seemed actually
the same feeling possessed him. He could
not quite understand it,
He did not think so much about getting
rid of the work as usual. The vision of a
neat little figuT, fitting here and there
and of bright smile welcoming him on
his return from fishing haunted him.
On the day following Abner persuaded
himself that it was necessary to take a
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 a
thought of his personal appearance but now
he put on clean flannel shirt and even
trimmed his beard. After his cargo was
disposed OF he again raped al the little
door. Susie opened it to him and quickly
Susie Brown answered the girl pref
brought him his drink, while smile of
recognition. This all, yet somehow Abb
ner felt hat his acquaintance had advance
ed step.
Afte- this it became an accustomed thing
for Abner tC go to Bayport to do his trad
ing. and he never failed to stop at the
house by the wharf 20 quench his thirst
Susie always busy about the Kitchen
brisk and deft, with CHEEKY word of well
come. Once she was frying doughnuts and
she gave him one; delicious circle Of
crispness which he ate appreciatively and
wit nj sod ri Of no f,1t,,
He never crosse the Threshold but some
times he leaned against the door-frame
watching the swift movements of Susie
and INDUCING in a little labored conversa-
ton; or he would linger as if about some
thing then suddenly turn and hurry down
the street as if in great hurry.
He must be steady man." said Susie
to herself. one day, as she watched his
retreating figure, "or it would not be water
he'd want so much Of But he does look
like a wild man with all that beard. ana
he amt got much use OF his tongue"
At last came morning when Abner
spoke Susie was unusually bewtchtng
that day, in fresh print gown and a dis
tracing little sweeping cap.
Susie" he said swallowing hard in his
effort to speak naturally. Susie, [ want
you to marry me-"
Susie dropped her broom and stared.
Don't say word said Abner in great
haste. i've got $1,000 laid up, and I'll be
a good husband 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 to-
morrow" Abner was off before Susie. con-
! fused and bushing, could utter word.
That evening Abner sat on his doorstep
and looked out over the bay.
| Il expect I'll miss being alone he said
But l reckon it'll be smooth sailing. I'll
keep the tiler."
The next day he began to clean house
IT'S only fair n pi hpr etc IF
he said, as he scrubbed vigorously
He was down on his hands and knees
mOpping up the floor when a shadow fell
| before him. He looked up. HIS doorway
| was filled by the figure of a middle-aged
woman very stout and very much out Of
breath.
"Well.' she painted. Its pull up this
| hill of yours. but it's a slightly place when
| once you get here. You, Abner Muliins?"
! Yes stammered Abner. too much as
| tonished by the invasion to get up from
| the floor.
| to see YOU continued the visitor I'm
| Mrs. Brown. You've been courtin' my
| Suse?"
| There was a note of Interrogation in the
| last sentence which seemed to demand of
| Abner some response. He slowly gathered
| himself up, and, once on his feet, ventured
! to look at Mrs Brown. She was comeiy.
| wholesome woman, with bright black eyes,
| before which Abner's wavered and fell.
II asked her to marry me" he managed
to utter
well. now. that's all nonsense" con.
! tinued Mrs. Brown, stepping i'll and look
| ing about. Mercy sakes. What hole:
| You see, Susie is only 10. and you must be
| full on to 40. Besides. she is going back to
| Lewiston to work in q factory-she's only
| been at home while 1 visiting my
| sister-and there's young fellow there
| WI iS vii hnr
| der you want to get married, though, lvin'
| in this mess!"
| Mrs. Brown picked up a rag from the
! floor. wiped a chair off and sat down.
| Abner stood awkwardly before her, con-
| scious only of desire for her departure.
| Now, look here. Abner Mulins!' went
| on Mrs. Brown. 1--WE heard a good deal
| about you, and I know you're an honest
| man and no drinker-except from Susie 3
| dipper." she added with chuckle. I'll
tell you what I'll do. I'll marry YOU my
! self"
The floor cloth dropped from Abner's
| hand.
! Yes" continued Mrs Brown. Eve been
| widow for fifteen year. and I begin to
| feel I'd like to have somebody to fend for
me. III keep YOU tidy as waN-you need it
| bad enough, goodness knOws-and I'm a
! master cook. I've got five hundred dollars
| in the bank. Suse's got her pas money
| and amt dependent on me. My rents up
! next week. so We might well get married
| then There amt anything for us to wait
| for. We're old enough to know our own
minds"
! But Abner standing helpless in the mid
| die of the floor, felt that he should never
| know his again.
| About six weeks later Abner was coming
| up from his dory with basket of fish
| when a Beachvile acquaintance accosted
him.
Hello. Abner! How do you like being
| marred?"
1T might be worse" said Abner slowly,
| as he climbed the lane. Yes" he con-
| tinued to himself, as he looked into his
| neat kitchen and saw the figure of -
wife stepping briskly about, preparing a
savory supper and singing cheerily as she
worked. Yes. it might be a deal sight
! worse."-Waverley Magazine.