The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1898-05-05
A MAN WON HER,

and man are in love with the same
girl. One must give way, you see. And
If the master is that one It's apt to be
bad for the man. Knowing this, John
Adams and Emily Bolton resolved to
keep their engagement to themselves
for bit, until they could get start in
life on their own account.
Why the girl had fallen in love with
the man instead of his master it would
puzzle q conjurer to tell. I'm sure
she couldn't have said herself. It was
he, John Adams, who suggested Sc
crecy, and Emily, after little dispute,
agreed.
Emily accepted John about Christ
mas time, and he argued that it would
be ruin to be discharged in the slack
time.
"We'll keep it to ourselves till the
spring, my girl, and then we can snap
our fingers at him." said John.
But Emily had no desire to snap her
fingers at Reuben Saunders. She was
not built that way. She felt sorry for
him and wished him all manner of good
things. Still she was in love with John
and consequently did as he told her.
But long before spring came-in fact,
it was the middle of Eebruary-it be-
gan to be rumored about that ohm and
Emily were engaged. Reuben heard the
report and went straightway to her
fathers cottage and asked to see Emily.
Mrs. Bolton opened the door. She
stepped back and called up the stairs:
Emily, Emily! Here's Mr.. Saunders
wants to see yer"
And then she went about her work
and left him standing at the open door.
She for her part preferred Reuben to
John as husband for herpretty daugh-
ter. That she was the girls mother and
knew the value of money by its lack
may account for her preference. More
over, Reuben was as good man as
John, though not SO handsome.
"I've only come to ask you question,
Emily" said Reuben, humbly, when at
last the girl appeared.
"Say on" said Emily, not quite at her
ease, for there had been time when
she had given Reuben encouragement.
II hear that you and John Adams are
going to be married." And Reuben
lifted his honest eyes and looked the
girl straight in the face.
II don't see what business that is of
yours! suppose we've right"-be
gan the girl, angrily.
But before she could finish her SEN
tence, Reuben said, sadly: "I've got my
answer" and turned away.
The girls heart smote her.
"Stay, Reuben, stay! It's not my
fault. did not want to keep it from
you. But-but John said"
Emily stopped. The meanness Of 1t
all shamed her.
II know! knowl Adams judged me
by himself, and thought should turn
him off as soon as heard of it," said
Saunders, bitterly.
at that.
"If you've got anything to say against
John. you can say it to some one else
Mr.. Saunders" she cried out.
II haven't" he shouted back, strid-
ing off down the little path to the front
gate as Emily slammed the door.
'I'll give him weeks wages and turn
him off," Reuben told himself passion
ately. Then .Emily's sweet face rose be-
fore him. II can't do it-I can't do it!'
he muttered as he strobe on, his hands
deep down in his trousers pockets, his
head bent forward on his chest, noblel
man than he thought himself.
| II.
| 1t was with heavy heart that Emily
went to meet her lover the next day
which was Saturday, and therefore 6
half holiday. She had not seen hin
since she had told Reuben of their en-
gagement, and was afraid to hear what
Reuben might have said to Johr
about it.
The first sight of Johns face wheI
.hey met reassured her. AS have sale
before, he was handsome young man
and as he came smilingly up to he
Emily felt certain that she loved hin
dearly, and that he was in every wa.
more desirable man than Saunders
Which, strange to say, was not wha
she always thought about him in hi
absence. After their usual greeting
they turned and walked on together.
"The boss has been very civil to M
this morning." said John, "called m
into that little office of his and said h
thought as he'd heard of place as''
suit me. Kind of foreman's place dow
in the shire; place called Burdock,
think he said"
"Oh. John, how good of him!" ex
claimed the girl.
"H'm," said John, with conceite
smile; don't you see he wants to ge
rid Of me-wants me out o. the way S
he can come after you?"
"No-no; he knows better"
Hes precious sight conceited I
know better. Lor,' l did laugh in m
sleeve as l thanked him, and said a
| I'd be glad if he'd speak word TO
. me. If get it we'll be married righ
away. Now you see how wise it was O
| me to insist on you saying nothin
about our being engaged