The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1899-04-08
A Peculiar Marriage
Ey j. A. Bolles


I'.hE Smith brothers were all utcui-
lar, and Justin Smith waafar more
peculiar than any of the others. He
lived on 4 good farm of his own in
Duchess county. ". Y.
lie was "A wiGower. and the man
G@ement OF his house was entrusted to
Flora Fioringer. the Stepdaughter of
his deceased brother. Edwin.
Flora, was Il years Old. pretty and
efficient. and Mr.. Smith. in his peculiar
way. was very fond of her.
.Iusfin's chief assistant il farm work
was his only son John. 90 years old.
.IGhn was as sturdy as his father. but
was Eo0re sensible and gencruH~heart-
cd.
II Was a rainy day. and John Smith
Wa inGus-riousiy repairing Il broken
harness.
He sat on a log in a shed. The gen
t!c ratter of rain on the root seemed
In have a soothing effect on the young
man. and he alternately whistled and
>an@ SGatches of song. But his work
became mOrotonouS. and he was feel
my Il bit lonesome. when Flora entered
II, he'd and stood beside him. She
ni'ed in a roguish way. and kept one
Rand behind her back. as if she held
something she wished to conceal.
WHAT favor do you want now.
Fora" asked John. gooG-naturrdiy.
Il want you TO fill the box in the
Kitchen with wood"
Pat am | to have 10 reward? I
rather suspect from your attitude that
yor have something for me"
Il must have your promise that you
W orig in the wood before | Will tell
yea"
~Nnrasn>e. You know III do any
T. lar you"
IL you're sur you'll be rewarded.
70" should add"
"IfI add it. then, just TO please YOU"
7 tn~ted John. with a laugh.
>o"'rc so good TT not keep you
waiting longer"
Fora produced a rose. and, a. a
--'t@lt blush swept over her fair cheeks.
he slipped the flower into a button
hole Of his vest. John caught her
HANDS aS' she was about To step back.
and his handsome eyes were full ot
aIGor.
This cannot he all of my reward"
h. aid. in a low voice. tremulou> with
feeling.
"nf ours il Isl Let me go.
TIE alarmed girl began TO struggle
and IN blush violently. but the hands
that. could hold a plow firmly for hours
nohind Il pair of strong horses were
fully equal 10 the present emergency.
This IS the only way to thank you
rronsriy," cried John. as he suddenly
tg,w the girl toward him and imprint
ed q kiss
- think you're real mean. John
Smith" said Flora, in a> indignant Il
ton" as she could
- know | am. but | cant help IL"
h" rejoired.
y won't stay with YOU a minute
Longer" she cried. as he reluctantly
released her.
Then I'll stay with You" And he
ran by her side.
I'm sorry gave you the rose. You'll
never have another chance to get the
be-f of me.
Then I'll take the last chance.
Flora. be mine and I'll be yours"
No. thank You"
Won cont mean it." cried the young
mar. 40 he caught her and bestowed
another kiss.
Won are my prisoner" he muir
INJURED, ienderly.
How can / obtain my release"
Only by promising to become" my
- promise
What's all this kissing and fooling
mean" cried a rough voice.
TIE Young man looked up in a
startled way. He knew he had been
caugh: by his father. In his haste and
rapture aa a lover John had thrown
caution 10 the winds and had forgotten
that he might be observed in his act
OF ardent wooing.
1T means that Flora has promised
to become my wife" said John. frank
~ and fearlessly.
Well. I'm sorry to hear it. for I'm
afraid i may he necessary for me to
make YOU seek another situation than
the one on This farm" repeated Justin.
Il think | know what is in your
mind" said his SON.
Won probably do. If You think I'm
cCing TO give up my hold on the Edwin
farm in Il hurry. you've made
t!ir big mistake of your life. The will
a neither you nor Flora can have for
gotten. left Edwin'S farm to be under
ny control during my life. after which
viii become Flora's property. 1t is
provided that the only way she can
it sooner is for her to marry be-
fore She ;s21 years old. II she marries
before that age she is TO obtain the