The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-09-23

Smith, wiped the tears from her eyes
- she gazed at her daughters face.
<-u'ye- been attending 70 business for
us, mother. You will not leave the
place. I'm going over to Squire Halls
this evening. John Howard Is coming
to take me in the buggy"
The sun was sinking low In the west
when John Howard and Sarah return
ed from the squire'S.
will you come In, John. and stay
about some? IBID rather you'd tell
him II 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 would lose the most val
liable possession you had"
Its the brindle heifer," interrupted
jackson Smith. his eyes swapping an
grily. John Howard, you think be-
cause am on my deathbed that you
can do as you please. but I'll show you.
It's just like rssealiy democrat to
shoot a neighbor's heifer just because
she jumped into your wheat. I don't
expect anything better Of you-the
whole party is made up Of thieves and
cutthroats-but I'll leave it in my will.
Jackson Goggan shall law and law un-
til He sank back exhausted from
his outburst.
III you get that angry over the
brindle heifer, Uncle Jackson, don't
know what you will say when l tell
you that have not touched the heifer,
but have married Sarah"
"Married-Sarah!" and Jackson
Smiths eyes dilated. Married Sarah,"
he said under his breath. John, give
me your hand. ! knew Sarah was q
Smith. Why, there never was an old
maid In the Smith family, but 1t did
seem she meant to take afthe the Walk
ers-her mother was Walker, Sarah
married! can go in peace, John,
now that you have lifted the disgrace
from the Smith family. You needn't
mind what 1 said about the democrats
i reckon you don't know better. Call
Sarah; want to gire her the brindls
heifer." .', -'-'. -
When the lawyer came the next day
he wrote will bequeathing all, save a
life interest to Mrs. Smith, to his be-
loved daughter Sarah, who had glad
dened the last hours of his life.
A few days later. with all due cere-
mony, 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
awkwardly, seeing which Sarah turn
ed.
will you come in, John?" she ask
ed.
I'm afraid it would only poster you
II l did-I-reckon ought to go home,
but l hate to leave you-you women
folks alone, and you'll be kind of lone
some now"
You might stay. We would fix up
[ather's room real comfortable if you
would Just as soon," said Sarah, be-
ginning to realize the awkwardness of
heir position.
I'D like to, Sarah. l could tend the
crop just as we'll. but I'd feel as i'll
vas living off Of you women, and
md you might get to hate me if hung
You needn't be afraid of that John"
aid Sarah, tapping her foot nervously
n the porch floor. 1T would be the
asiest way out Of our-our-dilem-
Ia; but II you'd rather not stay we
ould explain to folks how it was that
GU just married me to save the farm"
But Sarah. If we told that it would
e a lie. took advantage Of your
'ouble to get you married to me and
OIL didn't suspect me, but now
feel mean, and as II you will not
aspect me when tell you the truth"
arab gazed at him In wonder. What
oufd he mean, she thought, but no
,und came from her lips, and he con-
nued: I've been trying for ten. years
ask you to marry me, but | never
'uld do it, and when you came to me
your trouble jumped at the chance,
arah, because wanted you've al
avs loved you, but now feel can't
ay unless-unless you can take me I
r your husband In earnest" His eyes
d not lift to her face. !
"John!" Her eyes were open in wide i
maze. and the face so lately tear O
aimed became radiant with unexpect- b
Joy. you love me?" she question:
in glad unbelief. why, have S
we'd you all this time, too" she whis-
red "-Florpuce 7. Holmes