Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1904-07-26

was hurrying up the road with jar
of jelly for sick person or a tract for
wicked one. No one could guess
how hard she had worked to gain her
point, and now-just as MIR. Starline
had made up his mind-poor Miss
Witherly began to despair. She had
wasted two years upon a clergyman
which she might have spent more
profitably, for she had driven from her
a very respectable farmer with serious
intensions, and he had married some
one else.
This morning false report that Mr..
Starline was counting Rosa Rhubarb,
the doctors daughter, had reached her,
and she was very cross. Moreover, her
dear erony, the Widow Lane, had come
to stay all day Every woman has one
crony in the world before whom she
plays no part Over late lunch, Miss
Witherly was talking to Mrs. Lane as
she talked to no one else, wher the
clergyman arrived. and a new servant.
who was not. acquainted with the gen.
tleman, thus announced him:
"A man wants you, Miss WItherly."
"Old Hopper, 1 suppose" SAID Miss
Witherly, Il promised TO send his wife
some clothes; put him anywhere, Jane.
out of the way until 1 can eat my
lunch, for l don't disturb myself for
any one to-day"
And Jane. returning to Mr.. Starline.
escorted him to the parlor, where every
word that was spoken in the dining
room was plainly audible.
The clergyman seated himself in the
largest armchair. which was near the
communicating door, and folded his
hands and waited. He was composing
an ornate proposition. He had got as
far as: MY dear and respected Miss
Witherly, you may have remarked"
when suddenly a sharp voice smote his
ear with these words, "Old Starline."
Old Starlinei He could scarcely be-
lieve his ears. Involuntarily he leaned
little nearer the door and heard the
words repeated.
1T must be some one else of the
same name. I'm not DID," said Mr..
Starline.
Its nobody's business, I'm sure. !"
said Miss Witherly.
But they said So" replied Mrs.
Lane
Il wonder what they said?" asked
Mr.. Starline OF nobody.
And you've been so active in
church." said Mrs. Lane.
I'm sick of the church, said Miss
Witherly. Il never will again If get
out of it. hate the very sight of old
women with rheumatism. old men with
wooden legs, and sickly, dirty little or
phans with no pocket handkerchiefs.
lust as L want to have a little COM
fort, l have TO take q long tramp to
read the Bible to some horrible sick
person. 1 am going to move to Rice
town and buy home and get p dog
and teach him to drive all beggars
away and bite all the children that
open the gate, am"
The clergyman groaned softly.
My" said Mrs. Lane, who knew
the cause of her friends disgust.
why. l thought you enthusiastic
about Starllne and his church?"
'.Old StarIipe.' cried Miss Witherly;
1.-The old poke Why, he is more and
more stupid every day. Gracious, how
l did laugh when heard he was pay
ing attention 10 Rosa Rhubarb: the
older they get the younger they want,
said 1, and ii is true"
well, perhaps it is. said Mrs. Lane.
though 1 don't see what men want 70
marry schoolgirls for And You are
not going Il have old Starline yourself
/ after als some said 50"
4 don's want to hear what they
saidr' cried Miss Witherly, 10 whom
the grapes would have been SO sweet.
had she known how near her Ups they
hung that very day. Il detest him. /
wouldn't have him If he went on bis