The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1903-11-20
NUMBER 90.

rilda was very attentive in her SERVES
at table. beaming on them as though
she would say, Bless you, my chill
dren." Late in the evening. when they
were apparently much absorbed In
reading, they heard a strange sound.
half cough. half sneeze. in the hall.
Prue looked up from the book. What
was that:" she said. Tom was on his
way to the door when Matilda entered
the room. 1T was me, ma'am," she
said. 81 never walk in on new married
folks without givin' 'em warnin' I'm
a-comin'-not at first. OF course they
get used TO me after awhile and go
| right on loverin' If do see 'em. Moth
in suits me bettern that
Prue's face was scarlet. She dared
not look at Tom. Oh, why had she
engaged the services of such a silly,
sentimental creature?
| ''If you please, ma'am," Matilda con-
tinued, am goin' home now to get my
clothes. and I'll say good night to You
| and him"
Thought we were new married
folks did she?" Tom said grimly. 81
can't lima gine, why. She's a. good
cook" he added, "and I hope we can
keep her."
"we can," Prue said to herself, "if
| we will meet her peculiar require
ments. But I'll not be driven into any
foolishly unnecessary display Of a6ec-
ton" 49,
For three days the Dawsons enjoyed
| the results of Matilda's culinary ef-
\ o. 4, hoc Haa 49, mill "A
best of appetites somewhat. and on the
fourth day Matilda complained that
they didn't seem to relish their vic
tuaIs' and she guessed she'd better
be goin'."
"Oh. no." Prue cried. 'sNs one could
suit us better than you do"
I'm glad of that. ma'ans: but there's
another reason" And she hung her
head
+, Prue was painfully embarrassed, for
she could guess the other reason. 81
hope you will stay" she stammered-
I'll think IL over till tomorrow,
ma am, but feel as IL Hannah hadn't
been fair with me. leadin' me to expect
things was different between you and
him from what they really be-"
Tom came home later than usual that
night Prue was In the hall giving
some instructions to Matilda when he
opened the door. His eyes looked tired
and sad, she thought. She hesitated a
moment-only a moment-for Matilda
was present. and now was her opportu-
nifty to redeem herself in the girls eyes.
when she ran to meet her husband and
/ hor I.ax 10 x<,b n 4;
look faded from his eyes as il by mag
ic, and he put both arms around her
and held her close. HAS my little
wife come to her senses?' he asked
"Hushr' she answered. Il still think
: it's unnecessary, but Matilda likes 1t.
She refuses to stay unless we are 'af-
fectionate like" And she laughed hys-
terically.
"Oh," Tom said. That was all, but
there was a world of disappointment in
the exclamation. Then he looked be-
yond his wife at Matilda, who stood
beaming at him. her hands clasped in
ecstasy. well. she'll stay now." he
said bitterly. II congratulate you"
Yes; Matilda had decided TO remain
She came to the sitting room door after
dinner to announce her decision
After she had gone Prue left her seat
/, and moved restlessly about the room
Then she sighed so deeply that Tom
looked up from his paper. Head
acheT' he asked
, "N-no." she said. Her lips trembled
. and she buried her face in her hands
and sobbed out, ITS just heart ache
!, Tom"
|, Heart acher' he said gently. 81
thought had monopoly OF that"
. Prue came close to his chair and
leaned against an arm of it. Tom 81
she cried remorsefully-"Tom, dear
. will you forgive me and"-her voice
sank to a whisper-"kiss meT'
p He caught her hands in his and drew
her down beside him. TO please Ma
; tilda 2" he asked.
"Oh. Tom. you know better,"
: Because il it's to please that girl I'll
r be hanged if r. But something pre-
vented further speech just then.
When the Dawsons celebrated theiI
J. tin wedding IL Was with the assistancs