The daily morning journal and courier., 1904-08-17

" bird was the loudest singer in all the village. But for all this Tirzah was not satisfied.
 She had heard that day that the wid- owed cousin who usually kept house for Solomon Green had unexpectedly married. Of course this was nothing to Tirzah, but still-here she sniffed two or three times. and then, without a particle of explanation to the astonished cat, who had come forth demanding her allow ance of milk. sat down in her cane seated rocker and burst into crying.
 For five minutes she cried, and then she dropped her apron and looked guilt fly about.
 A thought had just intruded itself upon her which she considered in the light of a secret crime. Over and over again, despite hersels. she rehearsed Solomon's proposal; each word as it had been spoken, until, suddenly, like the handwriting upon the wall, there stood forth these words: Every morn ing. your chimbly is the first thing l look at''-
 Had he meant it? Did he still turn his eyes with the coming Of the morn 1 ing light down the little hill which lay between them? Did her lonely chimbly stin claim his thoughtful care? -. Five minutes later the dark plot was formed and Miss Tirzah was hurrying about her preparations for the night with cheeks that burned with fires she had thought long since gone out for ever. The following morning more aston l ished creatures there could not be than 1 were the kittens, cat. COW. hens and canary of Miss Tirzah Hitchcock i Something, certainly. had gone wrong Six o'clock came. and the stable door was not opened by the brisk mistress IIalf-past six, and still no fire in the kitchen stove. Seven o'clock, and no breakfast yet for the mistress and her indignant dependents. M Loud and angry rose the protest oi Brindle from her snug stall. while the old cat and canary did their best to stir things up inside.
 Meanwhile, hidden by the parlor cur tains, crouched Miss Tirzah, wrapped in huge red and green shawl, her heart futtering between shame and dread, { while her eyes watched with fevered anxiety the house just up the hill. Oh! how pitifully foolish now, looked l her deep-laid scheme when faced in the broad light of day.
 Of course he had forgotten, years ago to watch her chimney, What was ie to him now, whether she had a fire or not2 She would go thls very minute and build it. She
 Why, what was that? Some one was coming out of Solomon's front door Some one--why. 1t was Solomon himself creeping forth as If he had just been engaged in stealing his own spoons and was now making off with them to a place of hiding.
 I Where was he going?
 The heart os Tirzah stood still for one long and nerve-d destroying second then 1t went on again with such ham. mering and commotioH beneath the red and green shawl that less plucky sMoiiidH Woulu nave lIeu lur lle cdIh- phor bottle on the instant. Solomon was coming down the hill straight toward her tiny home. Com ing, It is true. not as the conauerors come with bold and martial tread. but lafter a timid, slinlsyi fashion of man who has had his last tlinid advances in that direction scorned
 When 1t was certain past all shadow of doubt that he was coming into the house. Tirzah, the crafty creature, be. took herself to the cane-seated rocker where, wrapped to the, chin in big shawl, she waited with palpitatine heart for the tinid knock which al llength sounded on her door. I Come in" she then called feebly, al which, the door was opened cautiously inch by inch, until the entire figure oi the middle-aged lover was disclosed te view.
 At the sight of Tirzah, bundled ur and in the armchair, all of his hesita. tion vanished.
 Why, Tirzah. are you took sick? 2 tcame in the loud, cheery voice which
 had not sounded in the room for fly, years past. An it's cold enough ir