The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1903-09-03

lonesome giant trudging away to his
furnished room in the hotel, she would
sit alone for hours after the children
had gone to bed and wonder If his
visits, If his confidential manner and
talk, if his extraordinary interest in
her and the little ones meant any
thing And if so?
Suppose" she would say, looking
into her little mirror at her own round,
cheerful, handsome face, suppose he
should? What? Ask you to marry
him. What would you sayY'
And she would smile q little doubt
fully, as she shook her head, and, put
ting out the light, lay down to think it
all over. There was nothing parti-
cularly romantic about Miss Sophie.
She was a demure, modest little soul,
but, being woman, she could not
avoid bordering such a denouement
| for this persistent friendship Of man
whom everybody admired and respect.
ed. 1t was in such terms that she
thought of him. He was no hero in
her eyes, for the little old maid didn't
"go i'm for heroes. She fancied that
he would make gentle, considerable
''safe" husband for any woman,
and
Hes like father to the children
already" she caught herself saying one
night. And after that she thought OF
Kingsland in a new light. What al
advantage it would be for Matte and
Harry to have guardian, protector
a father like that? Matte, poor child
was not fitted for such hard work
The opportunities for girl, or ever
for boy, were SO small in the small
town. Then they were such pretty
imaginative, amiable children. She
Aunt Sophie, had already determined
to devote her life to them. Why moi
complete her devotion to them by
marrying Kingsland"?.
Her reflections always came back
to that.
At last one night he called a little
later than usual, while Matte and Har
ry were at the concert. Miss Sophie
noticed that he was dressed up" and
she felt the fever OF curiosity and fear
come into her plump cheeks ard bright
eyes. She had let him into the little
parlor, but he stopped her with:
Don't mind the light, Miss Sophie
just want to say a few things.
feel more collected, easier, in the
dark"
The scared little spinster wondered
if she might faint, but sat down in the
far corner with a queer little sigh. He
went on, speaking rapidly, and very
plainly: 81 am thinking of getting
married, Miss Sophie. That is, within
| the next year or so. Meanwhile
want to do something for you-the
| children. I'd like to send Matte TO
some good school. No. NO! She needn't
know anything about it. And Harry
1 want Harry to keep on at school and
| take course of manual training. II
can be a secret between us-between
you and me. Will you agree to help
me do this, Soph-Miss Sophie?"
ooh, yes, Mr.. Kingsland. 1t is kind,
so kind Of you, but, but how are we to
repay-it will cost so much"
| "Never mind that-now," he said
81 want Matte for my Wife"
| "Mattiev' she whispered, choking
down a sob, wondering at her own
cOmpOsure.
Eyes, Miss Sophie. Matte. I haven't
said a word to her. mean to give her
a little more education-without her
knowing, and then, if she will have
me-Yhat's the matter, Miss Sophie?
For the poor little woman was weep
| ing. But she Gained herself directly
and said: "But If she won't have you
| then?"
| ooh, I'll think none the less of heI
and-and-we'll keep this secret be-
tween US, Miss Sophie. John III. Raj