The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1904-06-16

that II he'd excuse her she'd just 60
right on with her work, as she could
talk to him just as well. The deacon
couldn't hardly help noticing that she
had a mighty shapely ankle. He ap-
proved of plaids. although he was, of
course, zoe modest a mar &c say so.
"Gracious!" exclaimed Mrs. Plimp,
sey, Il never saw you so fierce, dea-
con. I sh'd think, though, that if peo-
pie didn't want to get kissed they
might keep away from the Wilkinses
lane, evenin's"
WELL" said the deacon, "they might,
mebbe, but l don't reckon they go
riosity, an they've a right to go. |
don't blame 'em. But this Jack, he
orter be rid on a white oak rail. The
fdee, that good lookin' woman can't
go where she dunn pleases. an feel
safe!"
The widow smiled. "You don't need
60 hold that ladder, deacon" she said.
II guess it's safe now" she continued.
Anyways I've promised to go over tc
Wilkinses myself this evenin'."
'No!" exclaimed the deacon, don't
you do it, Mis- Plimpsey."
"I'll take chances" said the widow,
giving him coquettish glance, 81
guess there amt nobody'd want to kiss
me-"
Come down off'n that there ladder
mint" said the deacon, with flush
ing face.
I'm not through yet" said Mrs.
Plimpsey, calmly, an l think I see
Mis- Blevins startin' out of her front
gate. Maybe she's lookin' for YOU"
The deacon started and hastily picked
up his hat.
81 reckon it's time I was goin'," he
said. IF you don't mind ii let my
self out O. the back door. He had
reached the parlor door, when he
turned back.
You're jokin' about goin' through
that lane this evenin', amt you" he
asked.
NO." sne answered. 81 don't think
I'll be bothered. Yet, it is Mis- Blevins
an she's a comm here"
The deacon bolted.
When Mrs. Plimpsey suddenly felt
herself in the sudden clasp of pair
Of strong arms in the gloom of the
Wilkinses lane that evening, she posi-
bly, regretted that she had not needed
the deacon's advice, but at all events
she retained her self-possession. Rec
ognizing the futility of resistance she
meekly surrendered her lips to the
spoiler, but just as he drew away for
breath she made a sudden snatch at
the red beard that was pressing her
peachy cheek. 1t came off in her hand
and Jack the Kisser, starting back, dis
closed beneath his slouched hat the
countenance of Deacon Malachi Blew
ins-and a rueful countenance it was,
too.
"Deacon!" said Mrs. Plimpsey, re-
proachfully. Can this be you?"
The deacon hung his head.
What do you suppose Mrs. Blevins
will say when I tell her this?" demand
ed the widow, sternly.
you amt goin' to tell her. are you?"
asked the deacon, imploringly. Say
you won't. You don't know what she
is or you wouldn't. l don't believe I'll
ever have done this if it hadn't been
for her. She's jest blue vit'rol an cold
piZen, is Mis- Blevins. She's helt me
down and made life a misery every
time 1 looked crosseyed at a woman,
an 1 allus liked wimmen, in an inner
cent way. Between her an sustainin'
repatriation I've ben a tol'able mis-
rable man, an lately got desp'rit. an
kicked over the traces. You wouldn't
tell her-Bessy?"
81 think you ought to be ashamed of
yourself" said Mrs. Plimpsey. 81 think
ought to tell. l declare I'm afraid of
you"
You don't need to be-"
81 am. If I don't tell will you be-
have yourself and not go round kiss
ing young girls again."
Honest, I never will-Bessy," said
the deacon.
81 kind of had an idea it was you"
said the widow presently. but I'd
never have believed you had the
spunk."