, 1906-05-16

udy evening came. anu he showed up
ON his biweekly tour. The widow liked
him. He was slow. but sturdy and
honest. He didn't look or talk love.
He talked more of sunflowers and on
Ions than he did of love. Dorothy was
i'll at ease, IS she did not know what
was coming, ana her heart beat like 8
triphammer rs the widow finally said:
MI. Goodi.eart, | think | shall take
Dorothy bacl. to Iowa with me when I
60"
lie gave u start of alarm, and the
red came 20 his face. He made no re.
ply, however, and soon took his de.
parture.
"HoW coul't you!" exclaimed Doro.
thy, with II glance of reproach as tho
gate was htrrd to latch behind tho
man.
81 wanted 70 lar him" replied the
widow. He'll be over here within a
day or two and ask you to make him
happy"
but it will look as If we were drag
ging him in by the hair of the head"
"Never you mind the looks. The great
object is TO get married"
Mr.. Goodheart didn't show up till his
usual Wednesday evening, however.
About the time he was expected the
widow was at the gate to meet him.
When they had saluted each other she
,aid:
'Mr. Goodheart. want to ask you u
question in confidence"
"Yes?"
IT understand that Il sewing machine
agent who comes through these parts
Is very much smitten on Dorothy. Is
his occupation an honorable one? Do
you think him the man to love and
care for her? As her elder sister | feel
like n guardian toward her"
Mr.. Goodheart gave Il start. and his
hand on the gate trembled. He had to
wait Il minute before he could trust
his voice, and then he answered that
he didn't go much on sewing machine
agents, The widow sighed and said 1t
was a cold world, and the two went
into the house together. Her object
had been to arouse the spark OF jeal-
ousy, but after the man had stayed his
usual hour and departed she could not
tell whether 1t was n success or not.
He had talked about rs usual.
did you say anything to him out at
the gate?" asked Dorothy.
None o. your business whether l did
or not. He's the woodenest man in
four states, but I'll bring him to the
mark. He has either got to show his
hand or dust along and make room for
somebody else. imagine he'll be
around tomorrow night"
ITS awful. sister; positively awful"
said Dorothy as the tears filled her
eyes.
Mr.. Goodheart did not make his ap-
p%earance at the time expected. He
was in no hurry to get up a feeling of
jealousy. The widow was provoked.
On Sunday evening she met him a
quarter IF a mile down the road and
gave him more of her confidence. h
confded to him the fact that Dorothy
was one of the best housekeepers for
a hundred miles around. She was also
economical; also loving and clinging in
her disposition. Mr.. Goodheart agreed
to all this, but during his hour he sat
aud talked of chicken pox and measles
and went away as placid and serene as
usual. The widow had no remarks to
make, but she did a heap of thinking.
She knew that Mr.. Goodheart would
be hoeing potatoes in Il certain field
next morning, and at 0 o'clock she went
there. She didn't have any time to
waste.
"Mr. Goodheart," she began, Eat the
time | spoke to you about the sewing
machine man didn't know that you
and sister were engaged. You really
must excuse me. When talking with
you last night | did not know that the
marriage day had been set for the 18th
of next month. | congratulate you.
You will have one of the best wives in
the state. | shall stay to the wedding
and tender you my heartiest wishes"
The man stammered and blushed and
looked around for a way to escape.
There was none The widow had run
him to earth.
Eyes, just So" was all he could say,
but a month later he was on hand for
the wedding.
Here only two weeks, and yet see
what | have done" said Sister Hannah
after the knot had been tied hard and
fast. Il tell you, Dorothy, the way to
get married is-to get married. I've
tried it three times and ought to know"