The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1899-04-22

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grocery store whittier.
"Mo.t likely he's looking for the price of
coffee and sugar to 90 up SOM" was the
observation OF 'Lihu Strong, the town way.
/ No one guessed tie truth.
/ One evening neighhor dropped in IN
expecledly on the lone bachelor at his
! home. Pike was in the kitchen. He bur
| liei to the door as the sound of tha knock
aud opened it just wide enough to discern
the identity Of the caller. The latte
thought He detected embarrassment in
Pixies manner Wien he caught an ur-
intended glimpse Of the supppr-tahie, h.
was ast3ushad beyond measure. There
were Two cups Of coffee ana two plates, con
t9iripE pork and poiatoes. One emp and
on" plate had been partially empted. The
otorr cup and Iato looked as if they had
not necp touched.
"GoS company?n he blurted out, before
/ Hc .nou&ht what he was saying. Pike had
uc,rr tcen krowu to invite guest to sup
per CT any other meal
The bacleIGr's face flushed a deep Grim
son. Fer moment he appeared to be I'M
able TO reply. Finally he suffered out
'Well, u0--er, yes Pm kinder expect
ing some one"
His neighbor observed his confusion and
FASTENED to state the business that prompted
his visit Pike did not ask him in, and he
departed without obtaining further light
on the cause of the presencn of the extra
cup and plate. The neighborh0od now had
genuine mystery. All sorts sS vague
rum0rs were circulated. But the bachelor
kept his secret.
Suppose Blown will tell what he seen
and folks will talk some, but nobody II
guess what it's all about" he chuckled.
1t went much against the grain with him
to cook twice as much at each meal as he
would have prepared for himself alone
Bat he consoed his economical spirit by
feeding what was left over to the hogs.
''Tain't lost ter all, L. thouaht
The end OF the month arrived. lie had
awaited the day With impotence. That
evening he ate supper earlier than usual.
He helped the extra plate aud filled the
extra cup, representing the amount he
would allow Il wife-if he had one - for tue
last time And as he did it he pictured to
himself the brown-eyed Mabel gayly chat
tng with him across the table.
When be had finished the meal, he took
the old slate On which he had done his fig
uring since childhood and in a few minutes
had ascertained to a cent the cost of the
extra portion.
-Four dollars and nineteen cents, four
dollars and nineteen cents" he repeated to
himself, over and over again. His brows
were knit. The chill OF avarice was creep
ing into his heart
"And that don't include clothes. But |
reckon she'd have enough buds to do her
awhile"
1t was the first rule of the bachelors life
to deny himself everything except absolute
necessities. For the first time he was dan
gerously near deciding to break the law
which had become almost second nature
with him. Few men there be indeed who
would hesitate to invest $40 month in
the keep of wife who supplied in all
respects their ideal. But Pike had oourted
the yellow gold so long that his love was
not to be changed easily.
Il, -, ~. I
breast. 1t was the most miserable period
OF his existence. Even after he had made
up bis mind to seek the hand of the witch
ing Mabel he found himself wondering at
his own recklessness. But he was a man of
stern resolve. Once determined, it requir-
ed more than human power to turn him
from his course.
On the morning Of the fourth day, he
finished up the work about the place earlier
than was his custom and hitched Esau to
the spring wagon
otis purity nigh time l was buying a
store suit, and l reckon this is a proper
occasion for SIGH purchase" he solilo-
quized as he mended a break in the mules
bride with piece of Irvine.
An hour later he was examining the as.
sortment of clothing in Smiths general
store at Hill Top.
"What sort Of suit ort Teller buy to
git married in % he asked the proprietor
with an effort at smile.
The storekeeper received the inquiry as
joke. The idea of Pike desiring informa-
ton of such character to guide him in the
selection OF a suit did not enter into his
brain.
''Same sort you'd want if you was ex-
pecting to be buried" replied Smith.
pants, coat and vest"
Then both laughed at the homely witt
cism.
The bachelor drew it out of the store
keeper without exciting suspicion that the
young man who had participated in the
most recent marriage in the neighborhood