Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-04-28

squire. But don't see why the young
woman can't go out to service"
mot strong enough" replied the doc
tor, NOR brought up to that sort of
work. She has the instincts of lady.
but unfortunately not enough educa-
ton to fit her for teaching"
''Then, from what 1 can see Of it,
said the squire, 'she will be here for
the rest of her days-like old Molly
Mobbs, that was reckoned to have cost
the ratepayers over s 1000 altogether"
sUnless she accepts this offer" said
the chaplain. sch! gentlemen"
All looked little doubtful, as if not
quite certain whether to treat the sug-
gestion seriously.
At that moment a troop of little work
house children filed past the window,
| followed by a young woman, clad in
| the lilac-check union gown and hideous
| black straw union bonnet with its pur-
| pie ribbon.
There goes Susannah West!" eX-
| claimed the master; ''she's just bring
| ing the little ones home from walk.
A rare hand with them she is, too"
The sun was shining straight upon
| the young woman in question, and the
board caught a glimpse Of dazzling
| wild-rose complexion and bands of red
gold waving hair.
ga very respectable girl, indeed" said
| the parson; land I for one suggest
that we follow this offer up. We ought
to make inquiries; and, though have
plenty to do in the parish" (the others
exchanged quietly amused glances at
| this assertion, for it was well known
1 hot Oah "a 6II-
ties very lightly, 81 will go over to
| Thorpe ST. Barnabas myself and find
out all that I can of Mr.. Stephen YAK
| ley. But in the meantime, Trip, say
nothing to the girl
| A special board meeting was held a
few days later. The parsons inquiries
proved satisfactory, and it now only
remained to inform the young woman
of the proposal.
| 81 suppose you've quite settled it
said the master, little diffidently.
81 suppose so, Trip. Why?" asked
| the squire.
well, sir, for the matter of getting
rid of one of the women, I'd sooner it
was Mary Pott. She's such grumbling
| creature-neyer satisfied"
| ~ ShC 11iPP, OuO tACA ohC . d
widow. and that is against Mr.. Yaxley's
specifications"
Trip scratched his head. Not a
| bad-lOOking woman, SIR" he observed.
| mo, no. But a stipulation is stip-
ulation; and I, for my part, consider
that Providence has sent this special
offer on purpose for Susannah West"
A murmur of approval followed this
/
to demur. Seems a bit oldish for the
girl, don't he, gentlemen?"
sold? Pshaw! What's 5s?'' cried
one and all. Better able to take care
of wife. Got position" etc.
Eyes, yes; to be sure. Of course that
makes up" said the butcher.
''Very WELL" said the parson; "then
let it be settled once for all that he have
Susannah West"
YES, gentlemen; that is all very
well as far as it goes" observed the
medical officer. who had not yet
spoken. But the question still re-
mains: Will Susannah West have
him?"
The others looked little foolish, as
though this side of the argument had
not struck them.
''That we can soon find out" said
Parson Weaver, irritably. "Trip,
fetch the girl here
In a few minutes the girl stood be-
fore them; she looked shy and half
frightened, wondering what the board
could want of her.
'Ha! Susannah, my DEAR" began the
parson-he had called her Miss West
in the days of her prosperity, but one
cannot expect complimentary titles in
the workmanship have sent for you
l--because-in short-well, we have a
very advantageous offer, which we
think will just suit YOU
Before Susannah could make any re-
ply, the squire, determined that the
chaplain should not have it all his own
way, exclaimed in his hearty voice:
What would you say to good home
and kind husband, my girl?''
The color flooded Susannah's face;
she gave one startled glance, then stood,
with her eyes on the floor, nervously
!, plating a corner of her checked apron.
Perhaps it would be as well if 1
read the letter we have received" said
, the parson, glazing disapproval at his
. neighbor for having forced his hand.
Then he put on his spectacles, and
read in slow and ponderous tones Mr..
Stephen YaNley's epistle, pausing every
now and then to see the effect. If he
expected rapturous gratitude when he
finished he was disappointed. Susan
nah never raised her eyes. Her color
. came and went, and her lips trembled 4;
l but she said not a word.
SWELL, my girl" cried the squire, TN
able to restrain his impatience, what
do you say to this? Isn't it a fine
r chance? I wouldn't think twice about