Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1905-02-16
CHAPTER XVII.

Janet's little girl, with the quick in
tpition of childhood. had discovered that
John was man after her own heart
When he was about the house or yard
she followed him about like small
shadow, until tired out she would cry
out in most peremptory fashion: Tote
perch her on his shoulder, where with
Cne arm about his neck she would cling
like monkey. Every time he went to
town, his return was for her season
of Great rejoicing. She would rum
mage his pockets, and pull out The
small treasures purposely put there for
her delectation, with shouts of delight.
Several young men of the vicinity, at
tracted by the handsome young widow,
began to pay occasional visits to the
house. They met with polite but dis
tant treatment from Janet, and with
open hostility from Dot who would
have none of them.
On one occasion, one Of them bolder
than the rest, having Dot to himself out
on the porch, ventured to ask that
young lady, if she would not like to have
another papa, whereupon Miss Dot set
mp vociferous howl. 81 won't have no.
body but Poppy Don-'oo go way" and
retreating inside promptly made known
the situation to her mother and grand
mother. The young man whose indis-
Greet question had raised the storm re-
absent, at the moment. there was no one
present but Mrs. Gregory to notice
Janet's bushes and she seized the OPP
portunity to say to Janet:
why don't you marry John and put
an end to these young mems visits which
seem SO unwelcomc?'
Janet was greatly distressed.
"Oh! mother, how can you be so cruel?
You know that l can never think OF
such thing again as marrying, and
could not be SO unjust as to give such q
| worthless remnant to a good man like
John, even if he should want me, of
which have no evidence"
Mrs Gregory looked sharply at Janet's
flushed face and fearful eyes. said
"Pshaw." and went about her business.
The occurrence ranlllcd in Dots mind.
and when John was sitting down by the
fire that evening after supper. as was
] his custom, to spend an hour with the
| family before going to his own room,
she climbed on his lap, put both arms
around his neck, squeezed him hard,
and gravely announced:
81 des loves 90, Uon.''
There was general laugh, which of
Tended the little lady, wherc;lt she be-
gan to air her grievances. Janet, seeing
what was coming, seized her, protesting
most vehemently, and carried her off to
bed. Janet did not return, and Mrs.
Gregory, who was Il shrewd woman in
her way, told John of the small tempest
of the day. John sat quietly for many
minutes; then he spoke, as if thinking
aloud:
II shall ask Janet to marry me, and il
she declines / must leave here. can
not stay here and see her marry anoth-
er man."
'John, am surprised at you. If /
did not know you to be brave man
would think you coward. Now, am
going to take your affairs in hand. ]
don't know which is the most foolish
you or Janet. She thinks she must be
loyal to the memory of that man who
did his best to embitter her life, and you
talk about running away like school
boy from whipping, and both of you
fairly in love or am no judge"
do you really think Janet cares for
me?''
II do not think mt all, know it. Now
tomorrow, you ask lrer TO mary you
and if she declines. you tell l.c,' t'..a1 vo.
will give her one more year TO ...alsc W
her mind, and if She does not come
around in that year then will give you
leave to 60"