Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-11-22

He ain't in no ways t blame" said Uncle Nate emphatically. "She done most O the courtin' herself, they do say, jes' t git hoT O them childer. Wants t learn 'em about bugs!" And Uncle Nate spat comprehensively at the box of sawdust. "'S for John flaw kins, he'd do wuss'n that t git shet O them young ones. Can't do nothin' with 'em-John he can't Johnny's a terror, he is. IN ye know wut hied help is nowadays"
 An answering murmur of cordial as- sent greeted this appealing statement.
 
 Nothing Is too astonishing to be true, I suppose" said Matteson, as he paused on pr. Talbot's front porch to mop his forehead The day was warm and sunny and there was sweet smell of blossoming wild entrants in the air.
 How we'll you are looking, MT. Mat teson," said Diana Talbot. Shall we sit upon the porch? It's pleasant to- day"
 "When I see you-yes, it's pleasant. Tell me, is 1t true, as they say in the village, that you're going to marry old Hawkins for the sake of a ready made zoology classT
 She flushed. "Mr. Hawkins is only sixty -seven," she said, "and an estimn- ble man. I find that he sympathizes with my views on many points. He Is surprisingly liberal in his way of looking at things"
 ''Is he going to let you teach?"
 'T have no opportunity here," she said, with some hauteur, "and since mothers death I hardly like to go to another town and leave father alone. But MT. Hawkins has no objection to my prosecuting original research"
 "In the vast leisure remaining after looking out for five small children and two old men?" queried Matteson. How generous! You could have more time as my wife, if that's all.'
 ''NO," she said, you would consent to anything now, but you are fippant. You do not sympathiZe with me deeply, seriously, as he does. You would ridi- cule and interrupt my life work. Per haps it Is written that I am to remain an investigator rather than q teacher And he is lonely and-but I have not yet decided. I have not given him an answer"
 II hope" Matteson began, choosing his words carefully, that you will de- lay your decision as long as possible and try to see If you have not duties ! of your own now, without assuming new ones that do not at present con- cern you. You have your duty to your self. This passion for self abnegation is morbid and unwholesome. You have your duty to me. You have duty to the generation that has reared and ed ucated you to remain in 1t and not be | drafted into q generation that has had It's day. You cnn ruin my life if you will. You can ruin your own. l shant say much now, for I can't trust my self to speak. I can only beg you not to be in haste in your decision. Good by, dearest-I must call you that-good- by"'
 ] And again he stood facing her, ready to go.
 As Matteson presently swung off down the path toward the gnte Miss Talbot was conscious of bitter disap- pointment that his call had been so brief and, if the truth must be told, that this time he had not offered to kiss her. fshe had swept her into his big arms and crushed her against his chest, if he had rained kisses on her face and poured endearing words into her ears, resistance would have been simply out of the question. Like many another young man In love, he was en- tirely too cautious.
 Besides, the interview had taken place on the front porch of Dr. Talbot's house, which was set on a hill and could not be hid. 1t was most unfortu- nate.
 Arthur" said Matteson as he burst into the mill office a few minutes later, 'T fear another of my famous de- baucbes Is due about now. This time I'll tell you beforehand where I'm go- ing, because you may need to use the information ill hurry. Let's see. Where's a good place? Not too far away"
 "Montreal?
 "Know too many people there. Ban gor--no; Maine won't do. Have to go through Boston. By George, I'll dis appear like magic In New York! The great, bustling metropolis shall swallow 1 me as if''-
 "Know lots of people there too"
 "Yes, but can dodge 'em." "All right" said Rankine, noting the number that Matteson gave him. "I'll keep my eyes open. Go along now and begin your drunk, you disgusting object"
 Arthur, where's Bert Mattesop7" demanded Mrs. Rankine, rushing upon her husband like q whirlwind as he en- tered the house late in the afternoon of the next day.
 "New York" he answered shortly, "unless he's started for Kalamazoo by this time"
 '"The outrageous thing! Can't any thing be done? She says she's going to promise old Hawkins tomorrow to marry him.
 "WhO says SOY asked Rankine in-