The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1900-08-26

dayhreak. Still. Peter was not a viii, dis
Courased. Taking a fresh horse he set
forth on his last errand. first calling al the
widows to make sure all was right. lie
found the good Betsy up t" her eyes
(Which. by the way. looked strangely ieHp
in mincc concortions and other dainties.
while n bcvy Of helpers pushed or the
work in other directions. but the widow
herself was at leisure. she shook hands
with Peter. hoped he would find the squire
at home. and sent him off with Il smii" that
would have enabled him to charge right .nto
the mouth of a red hot cannon, II any hao
been lying around handy.
i. Betsy. coming into the room at that mo-
,ent. lifted "A corner of the window cur
ain. and fur,rvely watched him ride away.
nd the widow. seeming for the first time
| . notice her innamed eyes and drawn face.
said 81 ply:
II reckon Betsy. you're coin' I" hev ore
| of your spells acen. ! think you might put
ii off till after the weddin'. What's the
matter with you anyway? Seems to me
| you're actin mighty queer of late
O. Melia, don't be so hard on me.
| gasped poor Betsy. wipinE off a tear as she
went back 10 her pies and broken heart.
Peter meanwhile was forging southwark
in the teeth of Il gale that steadily grew
colder as it shifted 20 the north. After an
rour's hard riding he sighted the 'crick."
as the natives called it. which he was
obliged to cross before reaching the
sources. Alas, it was bank full and run
ming like a mill race. The only thing to do
was To try the upper ford. where a rude
bridge of plants and driftwood might. if
standing. afford a risky passage. Thither-
ward our hero rode. and in the last CLEANS
of q wintry sunset saw to his joy that the
bridge still held.
How he urged his frightened steed upon
IT. and finally reached his destination would
make too long a story. but it is enough
that he got there.
NV conscience man exclaimed the
squire as Peter blew. rather than wa kei
in. what has brought you out in such a
night as this"
Peters teeth chartered. but he managed
To say: why squire. you know you prom
iscd to tie the knot whenever the wilder
was willin'. She's agreed now and I've
come for We to d" the job
The squire objected strenuously. but love
prey3,iled in the end. and Peter and the
squire set off together. through a biindinE
snowstorm. They crossed the bridge il
| SUltlN, ludIlhS " Nv y $3.50
wife had provided. and at 10 O'Clock of the
evening they were at their journeys end
The house was ablaze with lights and full
of company. and the widow. dressed ir
white muslin. welcomed the squire with fine
cordiality, and smiled on Peter when he ex-
plained his long delay. saying sweetly that
/, was OF no consequence whatever.
The supper still waited, but Peter gal
lantIy declared that he would be a marie"
man before ever he tasted bite or sup. He
turned to lead the widow forward as he
spoke, when, to the amaZement OF all. tha'
lady drew back. and. looking scornfully al
Peter, asked severely:
What do you mean, Mr.. Weaver? I'm
surprised at you"
.Why, why Melia, faltered the poor fell
low. you know I've come to marry you
You told me to bring the squire, and he
come through the blacklist night that evel
bowed and the awfulest roads you ever SEE
to marry us, and you amt goin' back or
me now, air We Melia?'
Come to marry me. hev you? Expectin
me to marry you. air you?' cried the widow
in her vibrant treble. Why. it's the ieas
of my thoughts. Mr.. Weaver And sts
lounced down into a chair by the heart!
and looked defiance around the room.
Here was a situation! Peter went ghast
IL white. then burning red. but the struS
gle was brief. Never had his staying quail
tiles served him better. when, with one su
prcmc effort at self-control, he turned t
the squire.
We'll squire. you shan't have this tri1
for nothing if l can help it. If the Wilde
won't have me. ! think l know who will.
And he stalked over to where cousin Bets,
sat. pale and still, leaning her head again=
the wall.
Miss Prince. Betsy" he began. this i
! no time for c%ourtin'. but if you'll have m
I'm ready and SOS the squire. We've bee
friends a long time. and l don't sees "
| need to be enemies if we do git married
What do ye say"
Betsy gave a gasp which Peter chose t
interpret as an assent. and, grasping he
hand, he led her across to the squire, say
ing cheerfuily:
TN glad you're SO willin' Betsy. I