The Scranton chronicle. (Scranton, Miss.) 1897-19??, 1901-02-23

always been her cry. your chiIdfer
need strong win to govern them"
Yours is strong enough" he said,
grimly.
Il could not be burden, although
have money" She lifted her head In
a proud way.
TRY me-" he said See if l find you
a burden"
"You don't understand" Her eyes
filed with tears. Il will never marry
vou. / am too delicate."
"You SHALL" His lips took deter
mined curves she had never seen be-
fore. 81 have been a patient man, bui
row"
There's the young minister" she
rose, hurriedly. Entertain him few
minutes, please She slipped from the
room.
Marry her in spite of herself. Now!
| Nowi Where there is will" He
started as II an electric battery had
charged him at the next thought. INC
license needed" He greeted the min.
iAter quietly. The conversation moved
idly as they waited for Miss Hill te
come in again.
After she had spoken to her CUES.
Mr.. Horace crossed the room to whe- G
she stood. His shoulders were wty
lack, his head held high, his step ttst
of a conqueror. Brother Simms." lie
said, grayely, you come at a mcsi
opportune time. My courting is the
talk of the neighborhood, and we are
going to put an end to the gossip"
"Mr. Horace, this is so sudden!" the
minister gasped.
unlike my courting," grimly.
''But the family is away!"
"It is Miss Hill / want to marry. Will
you perform the ceremony, Brother
Simms?"
"Not without witnesses" The minis.
ter drew himself up with sudden min.
isterial pomp.
Mr.. Horace stepped from the window
and swept the landscape with anxious
eyes. The clang of a cowbell cut the
soft air. Old Ben was crossing the
yard, his grandson. boy of 12 or Il
years, following him. He came over
to the porch in obedience to the sum.
moning hand, and his eyes grew large
as he entered the house with the boy
The cows were slowing filing through
the barn yard gate. The sun had set
and its soft light filed the room. The
minister opened a prayer-book The
expression on Miss Hills face puzzled
him. He remembered that she had sale
nothing.
Miss HILL" the minister began.
Would I force her to marry me
Brother Simms?" Mr.. Horace's eve.
were full of entreaty as he turned then
on her.
'Are you willing, Miss HIP"
Yes" family. Then in clearer
tones: Perfectly willing"
There was an exultant ring in tn,
mans voice as he made the responses
the woman's voice was low, but audible
Ben shuffled forward and congratu
lated them; "but she don't act like
herself" he muttered as he went out.
The minister's departure left then
alone. Old Mr.. Horace drew his brid.
to his heart and held her there in 81
lence. A man has wisdom straight
from the gods who refrains from
speech at such time.
Horace" Mr.. Horace's wife's voic,
was full of regret. s''If you had mar
ried me before--now am DID,"
He looked at her fondly, and they
kissed each other, these middle-aget
lovers. What will they say?" sh,
asked. my people-and the neigh
bors?" A faint rumbling of wheels
was heard.
"They will say old Horace Stringfielc
has asserted himself at last" He pat
ted her hand, and chuckled as hi:
horses impatient neighing grew more
frequent. "Old fellow" he called, ant
his voice rang like boys, "be patient
my waiting is over"