The Pascagoula democrat-star., 1901-01-25
SCRANTON MISSISSIPPI, FRIDAY, JANUARY %, 1901.

and the freshly painted wagon from
the Hankins' farm often drove up be.
fore the door OF the cottage on the
main street.
Gossip was rife as to whether it
would really be match. :.
"Ef payin' attention means any.
thing, she'll be b0ssin' Salie Hankins
and the "hull" farm before Thanks.
gIvin',' said villege authority. All
the while Miss Salle Hankins had not
seen her brothers old fame, for she
was too much occupied with the pick.
ling and preserving TO go step
farther than the front porch Yet she
knew the courting was going on. for
the little bird often flew out to the
red.gabled farmhouse, and whispered
tales. Now that the night OF the fair
had come, she was determined TO
know how matters stood.
"She's goin' to hev' charge of booth
tonight. and ef he's goin' to ask her,
it'll be tonight" she soliloquized. II
hope he'll hev' the grace to speak up
ef he means anything, there and she
locked the pantry door, and sought
the front porch.
"Ef you be g0in' to the fair. Dave"
she said, "Ive put your black coat out
on the bed. and the buttons in your
shirt with the tucked hosonl. and III
hev' Sam shine up your boots. For
heavens sake, throw away that nasty
pipe. You 90 smoke the vilest to.
backey," for Il large ring of smoke had
0ccasiOned her a violent cough.
There was no response,
II wish ye'd throw away that nasty
pipe, Dave" she SAID in no amiabe
tone, for his nonchalance was netting
her not little.
| Anything else" said the famer
"Yes, there is sometin' else, wish
ye'd marry that widow, ef you be gon'
to mary her at all that's what | wish v
After casting this bomshell into the
enemy's camp. she retired precipi
lately.
l*
When Dave lIankins entered the
door OF Columbia Hall, where the fair
was being held that night, all eyes were
focused 10 one direction. Yes. he was
going straight to Mrs. Walters booth
When "beauty's bower" was reached,
the farmer laid down crisp green
back"
"l'll take ten o. them chances" said
he, 'Its Il good cause an l don't
mind spendin' the money"
The widow was certainly looking
well. and her dimity gown was a mass
OF ruffles and lace. She had cast aside
weeds altogether, and all bonneville
wished with her, sympathetically
that II he was to ask at all it would
be then and there.
The fair was almost over and the
floor was cleared for dancing. The
band struck up IA lively tune, the walt
zers began to circle about the floor.
Zach Turner, OF the jeunnesse doree of
the village, came to interrupt a tete.
a.tete. "Just this waltz, Mrs. Wal.
ters," he said. "YOu don't mind, Mr..
Hankins." The widow darted CO.
Quettsh glance at Dave, as he moved
slowly aside.
"Sure not" he said. II don't dance
myself"
There was a note of sadness IN the
music for Dave, somehow Then
memory flashed one of her magic pic
lures. and he remembered that it was
| at Just such a fair as this that he had
first seen Rose. His mind flew in.
stantly to the lonely little church
yard, and the pathetic hcddst0ne.
Sacred to the memory Of -" II he
turned his head just Il little, he could
see it cleaning in the moonlight,
yonder up the hill. The music was
far away now, and the lights were
growing dim. The tawdriness Of the
bunting and the garlands grated upon
him, for his thoughts were not will
the dashing widow, nor the recent
courtinv. hut with Rose. in all tht
flush Of youth, and Of hope, and of th'
| Joy Of expectant motherhood; Ros
with the bloom Of the rose itself upol
her cheeks, and that new light in he
eyes-eyes that were to close so soo
forever.
! The widow and her partner in TIL
dance brushed past, and the ruffles q
her dress swept over his boOts, an
she darted him Il smile. No, Rose Wa
never a. handsome a woman rs tlli
! one. But again the music OF tn
/. whcezy nld meludeon rang In his ears
g sweeter and clearer than any song II
(. had ever known.
p "Wilt thou take this woman"-theI
q the crush to the door, the hapdclaps
. the good wishes, and the drive hom'
4 "a the new home, the itttie red.gabdet
farm.huuse up the hill. ~.
$ Rose, Rose" he almost sobbet
!. aloud. But he mastered himself jus
q IN time, for the waltz was done, ant
e Zach Turner, was edging his wa