The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1905-10-26
By Eben E. ReXf0rd.

I've got in my head"
Il know what it is" interrupted her
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"
mo, he hasn't" answered Mr.. Bangs.
'But the minute l read your letter, /
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
as possible. I'm prepared to know the
worst" and Mr.. Bangs gave utterance
to a sigh Of forced resignation.
"Its widow" answered Selma;
'just the kind Of a woman to suit you,
'Rastus. 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 widowr'-Mr. Bangs turned a
trifle paler, and shivered-"1-Fm
afraid I can't stand this siege, Selma.
came mighty near knocking under to
that old maid last summer, but / was
helped out of the scrape some way.
I've always heard say that man
couldn't hold out long against widow
If she'd got her mind really made up to
get him.
~ Do
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 Of"
said Mr.. Bangs, to whom this conver-
sation was somewhat alarming.
"Oh, yes, she WILL" answered Selma.
cI've talked with her about matters,
and I know she'd have no objections
Good gracious, Selina~ exclaimed
Mr.. Bangs, perspiring all over, you
don't mean to say that you've actually
talked with this woman about my mar
rying her, do you? Why, she'll expect
Inc to Go it. if you have, and, if l 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 man,
'Rastus. I 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 woman,
ard can't be expected to know
well, come down, and let me intro
duce you now," said Selma, and she
finally got him to consent.
"I 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 were home again,
Selma"
Don't be such a fool, 'Rastus," re-
heated his sister, by way OF encour
.,aaement. and then he was dragged
-uoyer the threshold, and he remembered
afterward that something in the shape
Of a woman rose up, and said some
filing. after Selma had said something.
But what those something were, ne
never knew.
When he came to, sufficiently 10
realize what was going on about hlm'
he was alone with the widow. She
wasn't a bad-looking woman, he had 10
admit. In fact, he rather liked her
looks.
We'll the result was, he fell in love
with Mrs. Smith. He generally fell IN
love with the women Selma selected
rs prouer subjects for matrimony. But
this time he felt so completely done
for that he was sure all his capabilities
for falling in love were exhausted.
He would never love again.
At the end Of q week he felt that his
love had reached its climax. for he
picked up a rose she had dropped, and
slept with it under his pillow.
.You poor. old fool he said to him.
self the next morning, as he stood be-
fore the glass. ITO think that you've
got spoony enough for that. I'm glad
no one knows it. But the widow IS
very attractive. and l don't see as I'm
TO blame. IL can't help it."
One day Selma and Mrs. Smith went
out shopping afte: tea. AS Mr.. Bangs
was going through the hall he saw that
Mrs. Smiths room door stood partly
omen. and an irresistible impulse to
take Just one peep into it came over
him. He did so. Hanging over the
hack of 4 chair was walking skirt
and that mysterious article Of feminine
apparel fascinated him so much that he
yentured in. and began to examine it.
We'll, now. if that doesn't beat the
Dutch said Mr.. Bangs. holding Il
np. Il wonder how I'd look in such a
thing? I'm going to try it on"
Accordingly. he got hold of the belt
and proceeded 20 invest himself in It,
after the manner of putting on
trousers.
1T buckles, s'pose" he said, pulling
the r t together. "YeS, there it Is.
~r wouldn't 1 cut a fine figure IN
skirts" and Mr.. Bangs danced horn
pipe to the accompaniment of swish
ing skirt.
. The hall door banged.
Good gracious" cried poor Bangs
~They've coma homer
Every hair on his head stood up with
fright. He grabbed at the belt, but it
,,n,4 ,,,,hucEln He heard SteDS