The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1899-06-23

thinking Of leaving you this day week
lift no objection he concluded lamely.
Mrs. Potter.
"Goo--good night" answered Mr.. Jeb-
bings, executing Il retrograde movement
In the direction Of the staircase; never
mind about getting me candle, and
| shan>t be wanting amy, supper"
Here, YOU come back"
The words tioated after him, and had
the effect of making him quicken his
steps:
"rhank goodness, that's over" he
thought as he holted himself in. II wish
next week was over and done with, too.
Wonder whether she's taking ON much p
"Somchody's bin and put him to this, -
reflected the lady. We'll, after all, I
dunno's it matters much"
1t was our-roomed house, two down
stairs and two up. The one for which
Mr.. Jebbings paid Il weekly rent was at
the back, overlooking u patch of kitchen
garden. There was pigsty in the farth'
fowls were clucking around after early
worms. 1t was fine morning, and Mr..
,Iebbings admired the limited but promis-
ing prospect in the intervals of his toilet.
Them peas is coming on wonderfully
he mlsed ''Reckon they'll soon be tit
for picking, and with billed gumnlOn
o bacon there'd be dinner for the lord
her doc, she's Il fine fgger of Il woman,
though tritle run to fat, and the best
hand at Yorkshire pudden I've come
acruSt since | lost pore mother. Won
der what shes got for breakfast? Hullo!
What's up with the door%
Then he remembered that he had bolt
ed it over night. He drew back the
though he shook and showed vigorously.
He was glad to hear a substantial tread
upon the stairs, and hailed it's owner
through the keyhole:
''Something'S gone wrong with the
door-it's stuck somehow sos l can't
open it"
mo, 'taint." was the answer. Its
locked, that's what's the matter with it,
"That'S queer" snid Mr.. Jebbings. II
never locked it, not to my knowledge"
but | did," was the startling reply
Il locked it, and the keys in my pocket.
and there it's going to stop till you knows
your own mind.
And with that she turned and creake,l
down the stairS again.
Ivy pASttS Ao"NS wv OoSNA VI
MIR. Jebbings. as soon as he gtasped the
situation. Bin and locked me in
''I'n take and kick that door down.
blamed if | won't" he declared furious
SO he kicked-kickpd hard and reckless
ly-wth the result that in less than
half minute later he was sitting on
anathematizing widows in general and
Mrs. Potter in particular, SO that the
voice of the latter, speaking outside of
the door, took him quite by surprise.
Yes, YOU may kick, Joshua Jebbihgs,
only remember whatever damage Soti
does You pays for. And you can cuss'n
swear, too, if you finds it helps you any.
Hungary, are you? Serves you right.
S'poSe you thought you was going to
carry on jest az you liked, anu then
sneak off with weeks notice. That's
wheve you made mistake. l amt no
worm to be- trampled OH, l amt. So
there YOU stops till you thinks better
of it,"
The morning wore away somehow, and
the church clock struck II. Half-past
was Mr.. Jebbings' dinner time. She was
bound to let him out for dinner, he told
himself repeatedly. She'd never dare to
make him miss two means. 1t would be
altogether too He could hear her set
ting the table. How many was she set
= "
again. \ few minutes and Mr.. Jebbings
began to snuff the air like a war horse
scouting the battle afar. But what he
Snutfed was not fire and carnage, but
liver and bacon. His nostrils curled
with rapture.
There was Il step on the stairs, sub
stantial step, that made his heart beat
and stopped outside his door. Mr.. Jeb-
blngs waited anxiously to hear the key
inserted in the lock. but instead there
came thump, and voice saluting him
by name.
Joshua Jebbings, you there?''
"Nell, that's good" observed the cap
tive soto voce, how nj | to be any
She've bin and locked me in? only wish
l WASN'T
"Howbeit." he answered meekly
enough.
"Yes'm."
Dinners ready was the announce
ment Alr. Jebbings licked his lips in
Som l." he replied eagerly-"ready
Ready to have the banns put up on
Sunday?'
"Banns. Sunday" in a muffled STAG
cato. Then with a burst of decision,
No. I'm jiggered if l am
very well, Clen.
And to his horror he heard the steps
retreatins from the door and down the
STAIRS to the kitchen. Mr.. Jebbings gave
way to despair.
$50 she means to keep me shut up yer
tn give in! Weel,' taking himself into
his confidence. as it were, and speaking
IN Il tone Of dependency, mingled with
reluctant admiration, ''she's oner,
that's what she is! l spose," he contin-
ued rehectively, Il s'pose she's a matter
hye or six years older'n me, and
weighs, maybe, couple O. stun more.
Ought to be t'other way round if a chap s
to have any chance. Banns! Next Sun
day! l should like to catch her at it,
In sorry now l didn't take and marry
l,rlsciler Potts matter O ten years back.
She was dreadful set on me at one time
was Prisciller. and then l shouldn't
never a-bin in this fix
At o'clock Mr.. Jebbings gave I'D and
took to his bed. At i the voice of his
landlady drew him from between the
sheets and lured him to the window. She
was talking to a neighbor over the wall
and her words penetrated to his ear with
blood-curdling distinctness.
NJ IL