The southern sentinel. (Winnfield, La.) 1883-1910, 1903-12-04

- ssSAso 3A11TAs OuI Ill IN
@ The Graves family were away
-! tne summer. and the rest If the
neignoorhood rented their small farms
" eitner Miss Amanda, or Mr.. Spencer.
ana would never dare brave The conn.
oined wrath Of the lover and aunt hv
Aolng her in any way.
Finally. two days before the one set
tne wedding. Marion. gloomily
oeatins eggs in the kitchen, cast her
eyes upward Ia despairing meditation.
ana FER glance alighted on Z haven a.
refuge for Joan.
suspended by q chain from the high
Kitchcn ceiling, hung Miss Amanda,s
mammoth copper kettle, used onlv
once or twice each year for apple but-
ter making and kindred pursuits, and
more than large enough to conceal
Joan. She could sit in It in compara-
tive comfort.
mat night she unfolded her plan
10 Joan. whose enthusiasm was so
great that she proposed retiring into
tho kettle at once.
fnat would make four whole days
and nights that you'd be In it." rea-
soned Marion. for Neil can't possibly
get here before the morning after the
day set for the wedding"
early on the wedding morning Ma
rion reused Joan. who hastily dressed.
and with the aid OF the kitchen table.
settled herself in her hiding place.
Soon afterward. Miss Amanda arose.
and after dressing, entered the girls'
room, where she found Marion appar-
emily In sound slumber, while Joan's
place beside her was empty.
Where is Joan?" she cried. diving
Marion a shake.
isn't she here!" INQUIRED Marion.
sleepily.
After calling her Z few times, and
making short search over the prem
ises. Miss Amanda reused the hired
men. and sent them in pursuit OF the
truant bride.
During the day Marion, 1t every op-
portunity dumped provisions into the
kettle till joan implored her to stop.
| The day was spent In fruitless search
and at nightfall. upon some one sug-
costing that they drag the pond, the
stern Miss Amanda was melted t.
tears.
| III only had her here, she should
marry whom she pleased she said. n
she sat weeping meath the kettle.
/ 4 few hours later. Joan. and Marion
who was lowering near, heard Mr.
Spencer attempt to console the discon.
ISOLATE spinster. Come. come" he said
you'll worry yourself sick. Don't b
afraid she's name way with herself
She and young Graves are married o.
this time"
1T would be scandaious Of her Il
serve You that way" murmured she
II don't sec how she could do tt
Mr.. Spencer cleared his throat Mis-
Amanda" ne said. I've been doing
some. serious thinking the last day
What does man my age want with /,
silly young chit for . wife? VIII
wouldn't scnsihle woman your age b,
more Of q companion for me!"
Miss Amanda sighed.
i've Just been thinking" he con
tinuec pcrsausively. what suitable
match you and would make. owl
good house, and nix hundred acres Q
the best land In tae state. l don't ow'
dollar, and I'd be . good husband Il
You"
Again Miss Amanda sighed gently.
:. and you're wen fixed. too" went o.
Mr.. Spencer. There must be Z hun
/ go -S~&~p ~r~na hnwn
. "A hundred and sixty-two." sal
Miss Amanda, softly. You forget tn
hill lot"
That's o." said Mr.. Spencer. We'll
rive Just been thinking what . jok
!. / It would be on those youngsters for y
!. 10 DO married tomorrow. We'd hav
: the laugh on them then, wouldn't we!
"Tm afraid it wouldn't look vel
: seeing that we don't know where Joa
! IT," hesitated she.
~Oh, she's all right" Mr.. Spence
assured her airily. You may deren
upon it. She's Mrs. Graves by TIL
time. II you'll just say the wor'
Amanda, I'll have the parson and Il
license here BY O'Clock In the morl
inx. Just say the word. Amanda"
Miss Amanda rejected hurrisdr
Hare was : piece Of unprecedente
rood fortune. Her nrst and probabl
hcr last matrimonial Offer. A solde
Z opp6rtunity not to be missed, and MI
Amanda. Ike the wise virgin she VI
? said the word.
The next morning found the veal
: loan sim In hiding, when Mr.. Spence
arrived with the preacher.
Inst - the ceremony was about
u Be performed. Marion. pale - deatl
\ vet smiling triumphantly. entered u
|. room. 'Suppose We nave doun
" Wedding" she said. and then Nc
: Graves appeared In The doorway.
At the sight Of him. unaccompari'
~ loan. Miss Amanda wept aiou
.sThe poor dear II in the pond" q
i walled.
: sWhere Is Joan!" cried Nell sternl
- l-s rcen fr0m the kettle, plpeo Wea