The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1905-10-11

brother. turning pale. Il knew all
about it before came down here
I'D like to know how?" asked Mrs.
Green, in great surprise. Il never told
anybody except John. and I'm sure he
- hasn't let it OUT
NO, he hasn't" answered Mr.. Bangs.
"But the minute 1 read your letter, L
felt what was in the wind. You didn't
say in so many words that you'd got a
match planned out, but understood it
well enough, Who is it. Selma? Bet
ter get the load off your mind as soon
has possible. I'm prepared to know the
worst" and Mr.. Bangs gave utterance
Ito sigh Of forced resignation.
ITS a widow" answered Selma;
<::just the kind Of woman to suit you,
'Hastus. I do hope you'll be sensible
= this time, and not let your foolish bash
fulness spoil your chances of getting a
good wife"
a widoww-Mr. Bangs turned a
frifle paler, and shivered-"I-Im
fraid I can't stand this siege, Selma.
came mighty near knocking under to
hat old maid last summer, but was
,elped out of the scrape some way.
live always heard say that man
couldn't hold out long against widow
lie she'd got her mind really made up to
get him."
Don't be a fool, 'Rastus." said her
sister, tersely. = "Maria's too good for
you. and, if you know when you're
well off, you'll make sure.of her"
Maybe she won't be made sure off,
said Mr.. Bangs, to whom this conver-
sation was somewhat alarming.
"Oh, yes, she WILL" answered Selma.
sTve talked with her about matters,
hnd know she'd have no objections
Good gracious, Selma" exclaimed
bIr. Bangs, perspiring all over, you
don't mean to say that you've actually
tnlked with this woman about my mar
rying her. do you? Why, she'll expect
me to Go it, if you have. and, If don't,
shell be having me up for breach OF
promise"
"Of course she expects you to marry
her, and so do l." answered Selma. as
f that settled the matter. "Be man,
Rastus. I wouldn't be afraid of the
women, if I were in your place"
You don't know what you're talk
ns about" said Mr.. Bangs, shaking
ais head 6olefully. you're woman,
md can't be expected to know"
well, come down, and let me intro
luce you now," said Selina,- and she
inally got him to consent.
II feel like q lamb being led to the
Slaughter" said poor Mr.. Bangs, as
he paused at the parlor door to wipe
his face. 81 wish I We're home again,
Selina."
Don't be such q fool, 'Rastus." re-
beated his sister, by way Of encour-
gement. and then he was dragged
lYer the threshold, and he remembered
fterward that something in the shape
bf a woman rose up. and said some
Thing, after Selma had said something
But what those something were, he
lever knew.
When he came to. sufficiently tc
sealize what was going on about him,
he was alone with the widow. She
HASN'T bad-looking woman, he had to
(dmit. In fact, he rather liked her
Doks.
Well, the result was, he fell in love
With Mrs Smith. He generally fell in
oye with the women Selma selected
S proper subjects for matrimony. But
bis time he felt so completely done
+ or that he was sure all his capabilities
or falling in love were exhausted.
de would never love again.
At the end of week he felt that his
bve had reached its climax, for he
licked up rose she had dropped, and
bept with it under his pillow.
"You poor, old fool" he said to him
elf the next morning, as he stood be-
ore the glass. "To think that you've
lot spoony enough for that. I'm glad
10 one knows it. But the widow is
cry attractive, and don't see as I'm
D blame II can't help it."
One day Selma and Mrs. Smith went
hut shopping after tea. AS Mr.. Bangs
,as going through the hall he saw that
Hrs. Smiths room door stood partly
pen, and an irresistible impulse to
hke just one peep into it came over
i'm. He did so. Hanging over the
ack of a chair was walking skirt,
nd that mysterious article Of feminine
pparel Fascinated him so much that he
entured in, and began to examine it.
well, now, if that doesn't beat the
utchr said Mr.. Bangs, holding it
b. II wonder how I'd look in such a
hing? I'm going to try it on
Accordingly, he got hold Of the belt,
nd proceeded to invest himself in it,
liter the manner of putting on
Fousers.
"It buckles, s'pose!' he said, pulling
be belt together. Eyes. there it is.
ord! wouldn't I cut fine figure in
Sirts," and DR.. Bangs danced a horn
Epe to the accompaniment Of a swish
g skirt.
The hall door banged.
Good gracious" cried poor Bangs.
rhey've come home"
Every hair On his head stood up with
icht. He Srabbed at the belt, but it
fouIGn't uEbuckle. He heard steps
the stairs, and women's voices
tl-uck more terror to his guilty soul
IAN the sound of Gabrlel'S trumpet
oui1 have done.