Smyrna times., 1901-06-05

kauny after me, but wouldn't have 1t.
l told him to save his money, and I'd
come up. So we fixed it that way, and
today the weddin comes off, and
want you to be there. Mr.. Princes
got minister from Ontonagon, and
he's invited few of his friends to wit
ness the ceremony, and l guess it'll be
n pleasant, socable little gatherin.
Anyhow, it'll be better than waitin for
the train. with nothin to do
agreed with the lady and eagerly
accepted her invitation. | had a Curl
osity to behold this faithful old lover
who had waited IS years. waited with
infinite patience until the girl he loved
had lost all of the attractions of youth,
and yet loved on and now was about to
see his fond dreams realized The
story seemed rather pathetic to me, al
though its ludicrous side was very ap-
parent also.
OF the half dozen passengers in the
car. we were the only persons to alight
when the train reached Sidnaw. l
helped my companion with her big
valise, and she, carrying large straw
board box and parcel tied in a news
paper, followed me out of the car.
Two or three woodsmen, standing
about the station, gazed idly at us as
we stood undetermined which way to
go. And one lean. sandy whiskered
man, who had been sitting on the plat
form at the farther end, jabbing his
knife into the boards, slowly arose and
advanced.
She was eying him.
''Is this Miss BirtchetT' he asked,
with a sheepish smile.
That's my name," she answered,
"Artemisia Birtchet. and | must say
Abe Prince. that you seem dreadful
glad to see me-"
He held out his hand, but she could
not take it on account of the parcels
! and he scratched his head with it.
/, "This amt Wednesday," he suggest
/, , ed after an interval of thought.
81 know it amt" she answered. "anC
it amt Tuesday or Monday, but it,
Thursday, Aug. 13. and | was to com
the 18th, if remember rightly, and
d think do"
He shifted his gaze to me and the
looked at her again.
Il "By goshr' he said in a hollow voice
'I've lost my reckonin somehow.
? thought the 18th was q Wednesda!
e and | had that minister here yestel
{ day"
q "Well, where is he now?' asked Mis-
y Birtchet in a quick. harsh voice.
1t HE went back. | kinder thOugl
you might have changed your min
l. again, and"-he struck himself on I'll
II Leg don't see" he said. how I'll
1t devil | got off on that date. Are 20
O. sure you amt made no mistake, Art
l. misia?''
s I'm sure | have made mistake
s. answered Miss Birtchet. with withe
+ ing sarcasm. I've made the mistal
of comm way up here in the woods
le marry pesky fool. But, thank hea
III ems. amt done it. If you'll be
ID kind and obligin as to hold that bag
es mint longer" she continued, turniI
Ut to me. ''I'il just step in here and buy
w ticket for Kaukauny."
nj The down train was approachin
and when Miss Birtchet appeared wi
n- her ticket | followed her into the ra
u road car.
nd Aren't you little hasty?" I asked
ne Little nothin!' she snapped, and
TO saw that It would be of no use to arg
ld' with her. left the valise and ba
ISL her goodby.
!. When the train was gone, | we
ce' over to the hotel to get my dinner.
in, Prince was sitting on the yeranda wi
os- his legs crossed and his thumbs und
his suspenders. His aspect was graz
lie 'That was a rather bad mistake
DIX yours" | ventured to remark.
Its just as WELL" he answered
he knew twas just as well the mint l
lot eyes on her"