Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1901-12-12
e , Storyette
HER SECRET.

After the new schoolhuse was
built in Nj, the old one passed to
the ownership of Squire Higgins, and
through him it underwent sundry re-
pairs and enlargements.
At last a board appeared in the
window, covered with strange hero
glyphics, and the public was supposed
to be made acquainted with the fact
that the building was "To Let" and
any information desired would be
gained by calling at the squire's office.
One morning the blinds were closed
and smoke was seen curling up from
the chimney, and Maggie Higgins vol
unteered the information that a boy
had been sent for the key the night
before, and an eXpressman from a
neighbOring town had landed someone
at the steps "just in the edge of the
evening" There had been some furni-
ture and Tots of trunks and boxes
All question was soon put at rest,
however. One bright morning the
blinds were found to be open and in
the window was an astonishing dis
play of bOnnets and flowers, and a
very modest sign announced that
Marie Alger would be pleased to serve
the ladies of Nj, to the utmost of
her ability. She did not have to wait
long for callers, and very soon her
shop became the headquarters of fash
ion and gossip
When it was aScertained that Mrs.
Judge Deering and DR.. Simpsons wife
would taste her taste in the weighty
matters of dress, instead of making
semi-annual trips to the city, she was
overwhelmed with orders, and her sue
cess must have surprised herself as it
did others.
All wOnderment in regard to Marie
had long since ceased and she came
to be regarded as fixture in the
place. It was an accepted fact that
she would never marry, for she had
refused the position of Mrs. Deacon
Stokes, number three, and the privi-
lege of being stepmother to the two
sets of children. While the deacons
suit was pending he was censured for
seeking a wife out of "the regular
membership" and when she refused,
the blame fell upon her sIighung such
distinguished honor Miss Brown
thought it was tempting Providence"
for the deacon had not been so faithful
as a husband.
Il don't see," said Miss Brown, "how
you could help liking him, when he
picked you out, and you haven't any
one to love you, either"
Marie's face flushed little and she
hardly knew whether to laugh or cry,
SO by way of compromise, she put her
arms around the poor, patient woman
by her side, and whispered, Il think
God is keeping him for you, and to me
He will bring other good in the best
time. Indeed, nothing could be better
than that your mantle of patience
should fall on me, when you've no
longer need of it,
That very evening Marie received a
letter which sent her at once to Miss
Brown, with the request that she
would come and stay at her house and
keep the store open. 1t might be for
weeks and it might be for months.
Marie offered no explanation, only as
she parted from her friend she said:
Kiss me- and wish me grace and
peace"
There came no word, and Miss
Brown grew anxious with the care
and responsibility. Curiosity received
a fresh stimulus; the ladies were in a
iutter about their winter bonnets, and
dresses were kept back for Maries
supervision. If her artistic touch and
finish had not seemed quite so indis-
pensable to the NJ ladies', there
might have been room for some scan
dial; as it was, they just wished her
back, and would have forgiven any
thing short of crime.
She came to her little shop one
evening, bringing face white and
sad, and without a word of greeting
sank down upon the floor, and, as Miss