Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1902-06-05

carried him swiftly through the dane
Ing sparkling waves.
Somehow Abners little hous,
seemed actually lonely to him tina
night, and the next day the same feel
Ing possessed him. lie could not IN
derstand 1t.
On the day following Abner persuad
ed himself that 1t was necessary tt
take load of fish to Bayport, and he
expended unaccustomed care on his
toilet before he started. Usually he
went from his cleaning or clam.
digging without thought Of his ap-
pearance, but now he put on a clean
flannel shirt and even trimmed his
beard. After his cargo was disposed
OF be again raped at the little door.
Susie opened to him and quickly
brought him his drink, with a smile of
recognition. This was all, yet some.
how Abner felt that bis acquaintance
had advanced q step.
After this 1t became an accustomed
thing for Abner to 60 to Bayport to do
bis trading and be never failed to stop
at the house by the wharf to quench
bis thirst.
At last came q morning when Alb.
ner spoke. Susie was unusually be-
witching that day, in fresh print
gown and distracting little sweeping
cap
Susie" be said, swallowing hard In
bis effort to speak naturally; Susie,
want you to marry mel"
Susie dropped her broom and stared.
Don't say a word" said Abner in
great haste. 1--WE got thousand dol
lars laid up. and I'll be a good hus-
band to you. You won't find the work
hard, and I'll At you out well. Think
1t over, and I'll be around day after
tomorrow" Abner was off before
Susie confused and blushing, could
utter q word
That evening Abner sat on his door.
step and looked out over the bay.
II expect Ill miss being alone" he
said. But l reckon it'll be smooth
sailing. I'll keep the tlller."
The next day he began to clean
house. ITS only fair to give her
clear start" he said, as he scrubbed
vigorously.
He was down on his hands and
knees, hopping up the floor when q
shadow fell before him. He looked
up. His doorway was filled by the
figure Of middle-aged woman, very
stout and very much out of breath.
WELL" she painted. ITS a pull up
this hill Of yours, but it's a slightly
place when once you get here. You
Abner Mulllnsw
"Yes," stammered Abner, too much
astOnlshed by the invasion to get up
from the floor.
1--WE come over from Bayport on
purpose to see you, continued the Wis
itor "rm Mrs. Brown. You've been
courtin' my Susie:"
There was note of Interrogation In
the last sentence which seemed to de- |
mand Of Abner some response. He
slowly gathered himself up and once
on his feet ventured to look at Mrs.
Brown She was comely, whole
some woman, with bright black eyes
before which Abner's wavered and |
fell.
IL asked her to marry me-" he
managed to utter.
well, now, that's all NONSENSE
continued Mrs. Brown, stepping in and |
looking about. Mercy sakesl What |
Il hole! You see, Susie is only nine
teen, and you must be full onto forty
five. Besides, she is gong back to
Lewistown to work in fat~ory-she's |
only been at home while | was visiting
my sister--and there's young fellow
there who is paying her attention.
don't wonder you want to get married,
though, Twin in this ness
Mrs. Brown picked up II rug from
the floor, wiped chair on and sat
down. Abner stood awkwardly be-
fore her conscious only Of a desire for
her departure.
Nov look here, Abner Mullinsw
went on Mrs. Brown. i've heard a
good deal about you, and | know
you're an honest man and no drinker-
except from Suslss dipper," she added
with cnuckle. "Ill tell you what I'll
do. I'll marry you myself"
The floor cloth dropped from Alb.
ner's hand.
Yes continued Mrs Brown, "rve
been widow for fifteen years, and |
begin to feel like to have somebody
to fend for me. I'll keep you tidy as
wax-you need II bad enough, good
ness kn0ws-and I'm a master cook.
I've got five hundred dollars in the
bank, Susie's got her pas money and
amt dependent on me. My rents up
next week, so we might as well get
married then. There amt anything
for us to wait for We're old enough
to know our own minds"
But Abner standing helpless in the
middle of the floor felt that he should
never know his again
About six weeks later Abner was
coming from his dory with basket
of fish, when Beachville acquaint
ance accosted him.
Hello, Abner. How do you like be.