The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1904-04-15

IT. oW moved In right next door, and
this leap year"
Mr. Alonzo Larkins stared apprehen-
sively out OF his window, as if he ex-
pected to see his newly arrived neigh
Dor fitting up his porch steps In search
of him with lasso. Instead he really
did see a small, MISUNDERSTANDING
woman walking serenely from her
doorway toward her own front lawn,
bearing a pot of pansies and trowel.
"Of, course" he continued caustical-
ly, wants to make a good impression
first before she lets out at me. Well,
ma'am, my heart is tough But you
are a neat little bundle" he added with
a slight change in tone; trim as
sassafras whistle. That's right-let
that rufiied-up pink contraption slide
off your head. Gum, what shiny brown
hair And look at the little curl bob
bling over her off carp
Little Mrs. Bittersweet did not seem
ut all troubled by the orb Mr.. Larkins
deemed 1t expedient to keep focused
upon her She trotted around about
her own business, paying little heed to
the doings Of her bachelor neighbor.
The first time she met him plump ana
square she gave him a sweet, indiffer-
ent little nelghborly Good morning."
which somehow excited his discomfort
and ire.
Took about as much notice OF me as
she would of a brlndle dog" he COM
planned to himself; lin fact, not so
much. She pets up all the old stray
dogs and gives 'em bones What's the
matter with me, I'd like to known
He looked anxiOusly into the mirror
as he brushed his hair. He saw there
in a good-lOoking and fairly good-ns
tured face. the chief defect Of which
was an expression tending towards
self-conceit
''NOw, ma'am." he observed decis-
lively, addressing the absent widow,
you've got to see me and appreciate
me; then II you choose to take advant-
age of leap year privileges, don't real
ly know as I'll run away"
Meantime Mrs. Bittersweets atten-
ton had been directed to Mr.. Larkins
by her friend, Miss Podderly.
Hes the smartest man in Bibb-
ville," said she. land got everything In
his house a woman's heart could wish,
from gas ranges to teaspoons, not to
mention scuds OF blue-and-white ware
saucepans. But seems like he's afraid
some woman'n marry him in spite of
himself. 1 guess he's too bashful to
ask any one. But 1 believe in my heart
you could overcome the difficulty
Polly, IL you'd set your cap good and
strong"
set fddlestick." retorted Polly
Bittersweet, scornfully, IN never set
my cap for any man"
Well" said Miss POdderly, II wish
had the opportunities you turn up
your nose at so recklessly."
Mr.. Larkins finally grew decidedly
discontinued and little puzzled.
Il don't understand you, a'am," he
admitted, in one Of his mental apostro-
Plies to the widow. 81 have so far mod
flied my views as to give you every OPP
portunity TO signify your wish to be
come Mrs. Larkin, and yet you're as
cool and calm as a bale of snow. I'm
not used TO It, ma'am, and l won't
stand it. I'll give you three weeks
more to get interested In me. and then
I'll take and propose to you-thats
about what I'll do"
When the allotted three weeks OF
grace had expired Mr.. Larkins. IN des
peration, executed his threat and re
celved a plump "Nov'-the result OF
Miss Podderly's championship and q
streak of contrariness In the widows
disposition.
He accepted the sentence with Wis
ible disappointment but bore 1t will
manly fortitude.
I'm sorry, ma'am," he said, frank
ly, tearing sorry. I've taken more Of
a shine to you, somehow. than 1 eve
did to any one. and I'd be good to you
you can bank on that But If you cam
like me- you can't. There, now, ma am
don't go and cry-dont. 1 wouldn'
hurt your feelings for forty farms,
for the widows heart all at once haC
smitten her sharply and some subtl,
pathos In Mr.. Larkins' simple accept
ance of defeat caused her eyes to brin
with misty tears.
"T'm so so-soo-o sorry" she faltered
bfushing and sobbing, I"
'.Don't mention it." implored Mr.
I,arkins, "don't you be miserable o.
blue about It But If you should-kint
of change your mind, you know
ma'am, Just let me know, won't your