Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1903-05-29

Elung the par across anu snhppcu TIC
paddock. Then he turned and gaZed
thoughtfully along the turnpike to
where a single light glimmered through
grove Of cherry trees The judge al
ways became sentimental at this hour
OF the evening. AS n matter Of fact he
was In love and, what Is more, admit
ted ii to himself. This takes rare cour-
age sometimes but ii takes even rarer
courage under certain conditions to ad-
NIT il 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
bachelor. not a widower; was well pre-
served, a former judge In the town
court and always a 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 were two of them-twO maiden
sisters, Susan Appleby and Keziah Ap-
pleby. Both Of them appealed to Judge
Crane I'm one way or another, ana for
ten years he had been trying TO 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 drlfted slowly
across his mind. 1t was In church that
ne loved her most. He could see her
now In her pew just in front OF his.
Her shoulders did not come very far
above the high back seat, and few
c,Irls struggled from under the black
bonnet. One eye was hazel. the other
watery blue, and her hands were fold
ed demurely In her lap. She wore
black waist cut down a little at the
throat and edged with lavender silk
and lace. and she had humorous lit
tie slmper at the corners Of her mouth.
On Sundays the simper was allowed to
fade. but the telltale lines remained.
There was no nonsense about Susan
tall. straight. angular. her bonnet
perked up straight on her head Ike
erenadier. blue eyes and a straight,
fight 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 armhOles of his vest. He had
come 10 a decision. He would consult
q third party. But whom? There were
two he had in mind. Zebulon. the broth
er. and Matilda, the eldest sister.
widow. All I'm all. he thought Zebulon
would be the better Of the two. Yes,
he would 60 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 as TO which one would
most likely award his suit with IA
yorable answer.
Hello, jedge" 1t was Zebulon him
self who stumped up the steps and sat
down at the top with grunt. Nice
evenln'."
| Hello. Zeb-um-yes, tOrable even
In. How air ye?" And the judge seat
ed himself beside the prospective ad-
| tuster Of his destiny.
about as well rs Il man kin be WITH
q passel of women folks about him all
the time" grumbled Zebulon, filling
his pipe.
"Whats the matter Of 'emT querief
the Judge. apparently unconcerned.
"MatterY" snOrted Iebulon Mat
ter? Why. everything's the matter. III
II ain't one thing it's another-sewin'
societies. houseccann'. visitin', church.
PRAYER meetin'. entertainin' the parson
an talk. talk. talk, nothin' but talkin'
from sunrise to supper. Bah. Women
Is we'll enough in their places. but
three on 'em is too derned much. Two
on em old maids too. Why dot Prov
| idence send some one to marry tm! Ii
amt right, its ag'in natur, for one
man TO be pestered so.
"Um-waal. that is kind o bad, Zeb-
I'm sorry they've riled ye, because |
was lest a-goin 10 ask yer honest
opinion which one to pick out. I'm
a-goin to git married il kim And
Judge Crane blew his nose vigorously.
"Arrump! Huh" ZebulOn sat up.
The Judge sat with his jaws tight shut
and his eyes stared ixedly 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. Kez.ah would do, but Susan
was the one to whose wedding ne
would dance all the way. He recalled
her mastery ways, her trenchant
tongue. Was 1t to be stilled for him by
the bonds of matrimony? 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,
iedge. | don't see how y i live with
out 'em. Keziah Is good, jedge, but Su-
san she is the one for ye. i know. She
wants to git married. She said her.
self 'twould soften her. although Lord
knows she don't need IL. She's good
an kind an lovin', an she's got good
strong mind-a good strong mind. Yas,
sir: recommend Susan" concluded
Zebulon.
"Well." said the Judge, "ye ought to
know, Zeb. Wants to get married. does
; she? waal, 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. chr
Zebulon was too overjoyed to stop at
anything which might strengthen the
fudge In his quest. He actually offered
to take the judge to his sister, state the
.ase and then leave the two alone. Fot
reply the judge rose decidedly to his
Feet. "Come,' he said.
So they trudged along the road to-
gether, Zebulon quietly x2diant, the
Judge stern and determine&
Ten minutes later tney entered the
AppIeby house. A raucousv-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
holding the skirt OF the judges coat.
X~.t.l III C-4t.f-.