The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1903-05-06
SUSAN or
KEzIAH?
By LAWRENCE PERRY
Copyright, 1905, bB 4. c. Mcclure

1Iduc put tue luSt
ter over the front window of his store,
slung the bar across and snapped the
paddock Then he turned and gazed
thoughtfully along the turnpike to
where single light glimmered through
Il grove of cherry trees. The judge al
ways became sentimental mt this hour
of the evening. AS matter of fact he
was in love and, what is more, admit
ted it to himself. This takes rare cour-
age sometimes, but 1t takes even rarer
courage under certain conditions to ad-
nit it to any one else. That was what
bothered Judge Crane.
The judge was not much over fifty
years old. His store. the one town
store, yielded good profits. He was
served, former judge In the town
court and always Il deacon. oh, no; he
WAS not ashamed of his personal as
sets. The trouble was that he was not
quite sure with whom he was In love.
There We're two of them-two maiden
sisters, Susan Appleby and keZiah APP
pleby. Both Of them appealed to Judge
ten years he had been trying 10 decide
which one appealed to him the more.
But thus far his efforts had yielded
him little satisfaction.
He paced thoughtfully up and down
the porch. with his hands locked under
his coattails He closed his eyes, and
the picture Of keziah drifted slowly
a. 4 In, Oh, hn
lie loved her most He could see her
now III her pew just In front of his.
Her shoulders did not come very far
above the high back seat, and few
eurls struggled from under the black
bonnet. one eye was hazel, the other
watery blue. and her hands We're fold
ed demurely In her lap. She wore
black waist cut down n little at the
throat and edged with lavender silk
and lace, and she had n humorous lit
tie Slmper at the corners of her mouth.
On Sundays the shipper was allowed to
fade, but the telltalc lines remained.
There was no nonsense about Susan
tall straight, angular, her bonnet
pcrEed up straight on her head like
tight shut mouth. She could say things,
and she got up church sociables and
missionary societies Judge Crane
sighed
A few minutes later he unclasped his
hands and transferred them gleefully
to the armholcs of his vest He had
come to II decision. He would consult
ind n,.tt It,t
two he had in mind Zebulon, the broth
er. and Matilda, the eldest sister, Il
widow. All In all, he thought Zebulon
would be the better OF the two Yes,
he would go to his old friend and con
fess all. He would secure information
as to the qualities of both from the
standpoint of one who had spent his
life with them, and he would also
make inquiry rs to which one would
most likely award his suit with II ia
vorable answer.
"Hello, jcdge!' 1t was Zebulon him
self who stumped up the steps and sat
down at the top with grunt mice
evenin'."
Hello, Zeb-um yes. n tol'able even
ed himself beside the prospective I'D
Juster of his destiny.
about as well as man kin be with
passed. of women folks about him all
the time" grumbed Zebulon, filling
his pipe
whats the matter of emp qucried
the judge, apparently unconcerncd.
~ 10
ter? Why, everything's the matter. Eff
1t amt one thing It's another-sewin'
societies. hOuseclcanln', Visitln', church,
prayer meetin', entertainin' the parson
an talk. talk. talk, nothln' but talkin'
from sunrise to supper. Bah. Women
Is well enough In their places, but
three on 'em Is too derned much. Two
on 'em old maids too! Why don't Prov
idence send some one to marry emf 1t
amt right, it's ag'in natur', for one
man to be pestered So"
"Um wal, that Is Kind O. bad, Zeb.
I'm sorry they've riled ye. because |
was jest a-goin' to ask yer honest
opinion which one to pick out I'm
a-goin' to git married IL kin" And
Judge Crane blew his nose vigorously.
"Arrump! HUH Zebulon sat up.
The judge sat with his jaws tight shut
and his eyes stared fixedly into the
road. Zebulon snOrted again and re-
gained his self control Had heaven
smiled on him at last? Had he said too
much? He knew whom he wished
married. Keziah would do, but Susan
was the one to whose wedding he
would dance all the way He recalled
her mastery ways, her trenchant
tongue Was it to be stilled for him by
the bonds of matrimonyf He turned to
the judge.
WAL" he said, drawing his hand
kerchief across his eyes. II kin talk
an growl, but when the pinch comes,
jedge, l don't see how kin live with
out 'em. Kezah Is good, jedge, but SUI
san, she Is the one for ye. | know. She
wants to git married. She said her
self 'twould soften her, although Lord
knows she don't need II. She's good
an kind an lovin'. an she's got good
strong mind-a good strong mind. Vas,
sir; recommend Susan" concluded
[tbuiOU
well" said the judge, Eye ought to
know, Zeb. Wants to get married, does
she? WAL she would "a been long
ago had | not been afeared to ask her.
I'm scared yet, Zeb. to tell the truth.
What want is the ice broken, ehY
Zebulon was too overJoyed to stop at
anything which might strengthen the
Judge In his quest. He actually offered
to take the judge to his sister. state the
case and then leave the two alone. For
reply the judge rose decidedly to his
feet. Come" he said.
So they trudged along the road to-
gether, Zebulon quietly radiant. the
Judge stern and determined.
Ten minutes later they entered the
Appleby house. A raucous. twangy
voice came from the parlor.
'She's In there" whispered Zebulon,
and he pushed open the door and en-
tered with his hand reaching back
bnldIpu tha ckf,.t Of tho iudQa,a cont