The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1906-04-27
ant 70 come after a had day in school

EH"H MhNN hAN" 49, EA
peled around 10 see II his syringa
bushes were breaking. and kindly Of
fered 10 shovel them out" Once or
twice he ventured 10 drop IN without
special Invitation. but 10 his perplex-
ity found his reception less cordial.
without going very deeply into the
reason for Il. he began 10 be conscious
that he enjoyed his calls best when
Lizzie was present, and fell into a
habit OF asking her what evenings she
would be there. Sometimes when II
was snowy he called for her with his
team.
So. In the natural course OF human
events. it was not long before a rumoi
came to Miss Maria's ears that Dea
con Goodyear was paying Lizzie
marked attention. The story filled hei
with deep concern. particularly sirct
her aroused observation could but o
firm Il.
I'm afraid Lucretia's right. and Q
widow isn't the proper person for a
chaperon. sighed Miss Maria 10 her
self. But there. II he's really in ear
nest, Lizzien make him a nice little
wife. and IL Lucretia's satisfied I'm
sure | am" And seeing no way by
which her Intervention might better
matters. Miss Maria wisely decided
TO let them take their course
The crocuses had begun 70 prick
through the brown earth, and NOTHING
was left OF the snow save dingy patches
in the hollows, when Miss Maria
stepped into her yard morning, no.
ticing with a breath OF delight that
winter had gone. A voice from the
cemetery fence greeted her. Deacon
Goodyear had come around to see how
his lot was looking His manner this
morning was o depressed. He had
never missed Czarina as he did this
spring Seemed a. IL he couldn't wait
for the snow to 90 of 50 he could get
TO her grave. Yet within ten minutes
having from Czarina led skillfully W
TO the point. he was offering Miss Ma.
ria a position as Mrs. Solomon Good
year.
Miss Maria was astonished and in
dlgnant. with much dignity but IN
few words. she declined the honor and
walked back 10 the house. leaving the
deacon more depressed than before,
poking his cane about among the dead
leaves on Czarina's grave. Miss Maria
said nothing TO her sister. She felt
crushed and Inundated. someway. II
seemed to her as II Deacon Goodyear
had trihed with them all as a family
She would have a talk with Lizzie and
find out how the poor girl took il.
She walked into the schoolroom after
the children were gone. with distressed
face. at sight OF which Lizzie's smile
dimmed a little.
"Oh. Aunt Maria she said; Il hope
you're not disappointed?"
AT what2" asked Miss Maria.
Because | refused Deacon Goodyear.
Did re tell you? | was so surprised,
for I had thought he was good to me
on account OF being a family friend.
But last night he came around so sol
emn. and asked me TO marry him in
such a mournful manner. I'm afraid
You'll think me wicked. Aunt Maria,
but actually laughed after | was
alone TO think what a good joke Arthur
would have thought n. And then ]
cried. thinking that in Heaven we
might not care for jokes. But today
have been thinking how much you
asked us there together. and was so
afraid you wanted something Of the
kind
Il never thought OF such a thing.
declared Miss Maria, with perfect
truth. She pondered on the deacon's
strange behavior as she went slowly
homeward. What would Lucretia say?
A sound OF voices reached her from
the s%itting-room. Deacon Goodyear,
no longer depressed or mournful. sat
beside her sister. Miss Lucretia's
/ cheeks were a soft pink.
"Oh. Maria," she said.
Miss Maria turned inquiringly 20
ward the deacon. who %colored, but met
her gaze unfinchingly.
"Lucretia's promised to marry me-
he said. firmly.
Miss Maria gave him q whitening
look.
ALLOW me 10 congratulate you" she
said. She put away her bonnet and
went straight TO the kitchen. putting
her head back through the door 10 in.
quire: VIII you young man stay to
tea. Lucretiag'
Deacon Goodyear followed her out
carefully closing both doors behind
him.
Look here. now" he said. in a low
but determined voice: you probably
think this is terribly funny. and maybe
Il does look queer. Lucretia's the one
I wanted all the time. But ! kept
a-hearing reports about how ! was
counting OF Lizzie. and | kind Of
thought maybe my attentions did re-
auire an offer. But Lizzie didn't want
me. Then kind OF thought
that maybe ,uur turn come
next. But neither did you want
me Then. having fulfilled my duty
70 the best OF my knowledge. there