The Opelousas courier., 1905-11-25
ii II I
II 4 TERRIBLE FIX.
Ey Eb.n E. Rex.orj,
L-L-I-L- u

4 /tN An bt"S NIt a
to tell you about Il pla
I've got in my head
Il know what it is" interrupted he
brother, turning pale. 81 knew al
about it before l came down here"
I'D like to know how:' asked Mrs
Green. in great surprise. Il never toll
anybody except john, and I'm sure Ii
hasn't let it OUT
| NO, he hasn't" answered Mr.. Bangs
But the minute l read your letter,
felt what was in tie wind. You didn'
say i'll SO many words that you'd got
match planned out, but l understood i
well enough. Who is it, Selma? Bet
ter get the load off your mind as soor
as possible. I'm prepared to know The
Uorst," and Nj. Bangs gave utteranct
to a sigh of forced resignation.
ITS a widow" answered Selma
"just the kind of a to suit You
'Rastus. l Go hope you'll be sensible
this time, and not lei your foolish bash
fulness spoil your chances of getting &
good wife"
"A widow"-Mr. Bangs turned q
trifie paier, and shivered-"I-I'n
afraid l can't stand this siege, Selma.
l came mighty near knocking under to
that old maid last summer, but I was
helped out of the scrape some way
I've always heard say that q man
couldn't hold out long against a widow
if she'd got her mind really made up to
get him
Don't be a fool, 'Rastus," said her
sister, terseIy. "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 Of"
sad Mr.. Bangs, to whom this CONVEX
satien was somewhat alarming.
"Ch, yes, she will" answered Selma.
1--WE talked with her about matters,
anu l know she'd have no objections"
Good gracious, Se.ina" exclaimed
Mr.. Bangs, perspirirg all over, you
don't mean to say that you've actually
tailed with this woman about my mar
ryinS her, do you? WY, she'll expect
M to Go it. if you have, and, if I don't,
she'll be having me up for breach of
promise"
"Of course she expects you to marry
her, and so do l." answered Selma, as
if that settled the matter. BE a man,
'Rastus. l wouldn't be afraid of the
women. If | were in your place"
"You don't know what you're talk
ing about" said Mr.. Bangs. shaking
his head dolefully. You're a woman,
and can't be expected to know"
well, come down, and let me intro
duce you now said selIua, and she
finally got him to consent.
Il feel like a lamb being led to the
slaughter said poor Mr.. Bangs, as
he paused at the parlor door to wipe
his face. Il wish l were home again,
Selma
Don't be such a fool. 'Rastus," e
peated his sister. by way of encour-
agement. and then he was dragged
over the threshold. and he remembered
OF n woman rose Up. aud said some
afier Selma had said something.
But what those something were, he
never knew.
When he came to, sufficiently tc
what was going OH about him.
he was alone with the widow. She
a ~bad-!ooking woman. he had to
In fact, he rather liked her
looks.
Well. the result was, he fell in love
with Mrs. Smith. He generally fell in
love with the women Selma selected
rs proper subjects for matrimony. But
his time lie felt so completely done
Tor that he was sure all his capabilities
FOR falling in love were exhausted.
He would never love again. -
At the end of a week he felt that his
owe had reached its climax, for he.
picked up a rose she had dropped, and
slept with it under his pillow.
You poor, old fooi,n he said to him.
,eif the next morning. as he stood be-
ore the glass. ITO think that you've
rot spoony enough for that. I'm glad
10 one knows it. But the widow is
Fery attractive, and I don't see as I'm
o blame. IL can't help it"
One day Selma and Mrs. Smith went
ut shopping after tea. AS Mr.. Bangs
yas going through the hall he saw that
drs. Smiths room door stood partly
pen, and an irresistible impulse to
axe just one peep into it came over
i'm. He did so. Hanging over the
lack of a chair was a walking skirt,
nd that mysterious article of feminine
pparel fascinated him SO much that he
entured in, and began to examine IT.
well, now, il that doesn't beat the
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 il,
fter the manner of putting on
ronsers.
1T buckles. I s'pose., he said, pulling
lie belt together. Eyes. there It is.
ord. wouldn't / cut d fine figure in
and Mr.. Bangs danced d horn
ipe to the accompaniment OF a swish
lg skirt.
The hall door banged. I
Good gracious" cried poor Bangs.
They've come homer !
Every hair on his head stood up with /
light. He grabbed at the belt, but IT !
onldn't unbackle. He heard steps
the stairs. and Women's voices !
rnek more terror To his guilty soul I
ian the sound Dc Gabriei's trumpet I
0uld have done. !