Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1901-07-16
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deacon's words. They cut him like q
sharp knife, and his brother knew II.
But quickly the scornful look returned,
and he met the issue squarely. half
way. Without tremor he stepped
close to his brother and, placing his
hand gently on the others shoulder,
exclaimed:
william, William, II 1t was the last
thing on earth didn't expect this of
you! II 1t was anybody else, I'd "a
said he'd gone clean crazy. You an
mother never did circulate much
around among the neighbors, but l
never once had an idea either of you
had anything against Mis- Cook. I
can't understand 1t. Her husbands
been dead for three years now, an dur
In that whole time she's hardly been
outside her dooryard. It's goin to be
hard to tell her that this Is our weddin'
present from you an Martha, but can
do it, an will. One thing has got to
be settled between you an me, howsom-
ever" Here Joel's words became delib-
crate and foreboding. II amt goin to
stand up an listen to anybody throw
miserable slurs on the woman that's
goin to be my wife, not even you, my
own brother an deacon in the church,
who ought to be above such thing. 1
want you to understand that If the
Lowden boys did build their tavern
across from her house she amt respon-
sible nor the worse for it. An as far as
that place Is concerned, hate 1t worse
than you do. It's hurt her property
scand'lo
Wedding bells often ring out In unex-
pected places. Their notes are the
sweeter when they sound above the din
Of discord. In vain the deacon, per-
picked and confused, his excited mind
in a whirl, tried to interrupt Joels
words. Then he gave up the attempt
and grasped weakly at the objects near
him for support He could only gasp.
"Mis' Cook; you marry Mis- Cook-the
Widow Cook at the crossin-I-you"-
"We've been thinkin 1t over ever
since the day the circus was in town,
an last night we fixed it all up an de-
cided to hitch"
Lord save us all! Joel, I'- 1t was
too much for the deacon, and his
strength deserted him. His knees bent
beneath his weight, and his voice drop
ped to all inaudible whisper. He lean
ed upon the sleigh and rubbed his eyes
as IL to bring back his scattered senses.
Then he suddenly found his voice
again. "Is that the meanin Of 1t all?
Is that where you've been goin evenin
after evenin when mother IN me
thought you was at the Lowdens'? Say
somethin, man! Are you struck clean
dumbW
The scornful look had left Joers
face, and the suggestion Of a tri-
umphant smile played around the cor
ners of his mouth as he watched the
successive stages Of his brothers col
lapse. But malice was not part of
Joel Birdsell's make up. He answered
the deacon's question with question.
"You amt forgot, William" he asked
seriously, "the day you an me signed
the pledge back in Vermont? Well,
I've kept my share of it to this day,
but l never signed pledge not to get
married.
"But you didn't tell u.s."
81 didn't have nothin for sure to tell
till last night. You know how courtin
is, William. A man don't like to speak
right OUT
Once again the deacon swallowed
something that seemed to choke his
words. "God bless you both"' he said,
and his voice trembled as he spoke.
Then he added quickly: Perhaps
you'll forget the hard things l said.
You see"-
"It's lust the same as If you hadn't
ever spoke 'em," Joel interrupted. AN
now perhaps there's time yet to 20
over to the creamery. Supposin you
tell Martha about it while I'm gone"
The quavering notes of song awak'
ened the deacon from deep brown
study as he strobe alone In the middle
of the storeroom floor. Listening, he
caught the words until they were lost
In the rattle of the wagon wheels:
Bet my money on the old bay mare,
Somebody bet on the gray
The deacon did not stir until the
sound had died away In the distance.
Then he left the barn and slowly walk
ed up the path to the farmhouse. AS
he reached the porch he hesitated a
moment. Darn my fool picture" he
said to himself, II might have knowed
It! But it's q good joke on mother
anyhow"
Then he entered the kitchen, closing
the door behind him.