The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1901-04-02

geniality of soul between himself aud
bis farm hand. but because he coald
have talked 10 the gale posts if lothian
hadn't happened 10 lie there.
Well, nobody doubts that. as I ever
heerd Oh. said Jolham, with his elbows
on his knees and bis face turned com
placenily toward the full moon.
Aud Ahe cau't be over thirty
so 4 should a-said myself. as
senied Jotham.
I'm glad she has taken the cottage
on a long lease. lothian, pursued Mr..
Migglelon, y Ike good neighbors.
Most folks does, observed Joiham.
And he got up. shaking himself like
a great Newfoundland dog. leaving Mr.
Nigg Teton TO the comp panionship Of his
own cogitations. There are times 10
which solitude is said TO be the best oom-
pany; perhaps this was one Of these
special occasions. in The Estimation Of
J0tham Hardcastle
The summer went by: the great
maple 10 front Of the Wiggleton
mansion began 10 glow as il
It's leaves had been dipped in blood
and melted gold the asters reared their
purple torches along the stone wall by
the cottage under the bill, aud any
acute observer might have perceived
that Mrs. Palmleaf had laid down the
rocky bit Of uphill ground in spring
wheat Instead Of winteS rye.
lothian = said Mr.. Wiggleton TO his
farm hand one evening; it was the first
they had had a fire on the vide. Old
fashioned hearth
@Well?7
@I-hare concluded it isn't best for
you 70 live here at the house any
longer
What's goin to happeng' said
lothian. "You amt goiu' to hire an
other hand be yous'
"No; to be sure not. You suit me
admirably, lothian, only aud Mr.
Wiggleton shot the words ont with an
effort. I" am thinking Of getting mar
ried."
"Ohl"
It's rather late IN lie, to DO sure,
said Mr.. Wigglelon, conscious Of look
ing extremely sheepish; but on know.
lothian, it's never too late to DO a coed
thing"
Certainly not.
You ought TO get married, lothian,
added his employer speaking in rather
a RAPID aud embarrassed manner.
"Think sog"
Certainly. You might live IN the
little house beyond the peach orchard I
it wouldn't take much to fit it nicely,
now that paint and paper are 50 cheap.
Jolham stared rehectiyely at the fire, |
And your wife could take care Of the |
cream aud butter, for as. 1t isn't likely |
Mrs. p. -aheml- it isn't likely, / /
mean, that my wife will care for such !
things.
"Humphl'
"Pd advise you to turn the thing all /
over in your mind, Jotham," said Mr..
Wiggleton.
"Ye., l will, said lothian, with
little cough.
The next morning Mr.. Wigglelon at
lired himself in his bet suit, aud went
10 the cottage
Mrs. Palmloaf received him in a
aiming "Aeff "a wan AiDNtu ~
match.
Mr. Wriggleton wasted no time in
Useless preliminary chit-chat
Mrs. Plamieaf, maam, he began,
title neryously, / have concluded to
,hango my condition.
"Indeedi" said the widow, smiling
ike an opening rose. Il am so glad to
rear IL.
"And / am here this morning to ask
Iou to be my wiiel pursued our hero
,oldly.
you are kind, sir" said Mrs PLAN
eaf blushing, and looking preiiier than
,ver, "but II really couldn't"
And why not?" demanded Mr. Wig
'leton, fairy taken abaek by ,-is un-
xpected answer.
i am engaged owned up the charm
ng widow, playing with the ribbons at
Ter belt
"Might I dare to asl-that is"
"Oh, certainly. It's Jotham Hard
astle."
Mr.. Wigg eton stammered out a som
ence or two Of congratu alton. and took
is leave
And when The spring wheat" reared
IS green tassels on the hillside, Jotham
iarried the pretty young widow. and
ir Miggleton's single yet He always
Dit as if he had been i'll treated, but
e never could tell exactly how.