The Cook County herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Minn.) 1893-1909, 1906-11-03

One Saturday evening, according to
custom, Josiah called Mrs. Blossom
into his room to pay her for his weeks
board and lodgings. He seemed very
nervous-all smiles and blushes-and,
noting it, Mrs. Blossom became flus-
tered. feeling that a crisis was at
hand.
"Oh, Mrs. Blossom" he said as he
paid her, "I'm sorry-but-bu I must
give months notice. I am goin'
back to my old place-to the cottage"
"What-ev-er for? Haven't we
made you comfortable? We shall be
upset-Kate Specially
mo, no, I've been very comfortable,
thank zee, kindly. I am thinkin'-
thinkin' of gettin'-married on the
twenty-fifth of next month
II am glad to hear it, my dear boy.
thought you would soon feel that
way"
Josiah's face was seraphic in an
instant.
did you now? Oh, l am so glad;
1 was afraid you mightn't like it,,
And. she's such good girl" going on
at express speed at this encourage
ment. "We've been engaged two year.
Her name is Nancy Price, and she
lives down at Griggsville--I don't
know if you know her family?"
In moments of irritation James
Blossom was wont to asseverate with
some truth that his wife loved above
all things to hear. the sound of her
own voice. But for. once her tongue
failed her. Her hands. trembled, and
her staring eyes were so rigid that
she seemed to glare: But, Josiah never
noticed it, he was too intent on re-
lleving himself. He had had the key
| OF Paradise for two years, and until
now had said nothing about it.
"And there is another thing, Mrs.
Blossom he went on, his tone more
and more se1f:complacent., DO you
EthinE Kate would be al Bird desma1d?
have told Nancy times and times
how kind you have been, and she
wants me to choose one bridesmaid.
[ do hope Kate will consent"
Mrs. Blossoms apparatus of speech
was quite out of gear, and she could,
with the utmost difficulty, produce but
| few words.
"TIl-ask-her-a it," she said.
and turned and left the room. Josiah
was disappointed; he could have
talked about Nancy until midnight.
1t was so unexpected that Kate
could not realize it.
/ Kate was not a weak, delicate crea-
fture, but Kate swooned
>>"Be his bridesmaid" said Kate, half
an hour later, when grief had yielded
to resentment; "does he think I am
a fool?'
But I am afraid you will have to
be- said Mrs. Blossom tearfully.
"Have to- be? Why?" asked Kate,
her eyes: >gleaming dangerously.
Because, my dear, everybody will
have the laugh on us it they see that
we are hurt. We shall have to. show
that we knew all about it all along,
and encouraged him in it, or shame
will kill both of u.s.
Kate WINGED. II could kill him."
she said, grinding her teeth 49,
$50 could I, my dear, but what can
we do?" ~
TT must be, suppose; but do
hope she'll, be-a devil" and Kate
ground her teeth again. 81. "a.
IT,! r, Kate accompanied Josiah to church
fthe following morning and sat beside
him. There was certainly sensation
among the congregation when the
| wedding was announced and all eyes
We're turned to Blossoms pew. Josiah
blushed a little, but Kate, wonderful
ITO behold, sat with a pleasant smile
upon her face. =. -: e.. : e.. ::
/ We'll, of all wonders!'' said Polly
| Tunneys> to Kate ais they filed out of
church. 8 Weren't you surprised?" and
EPolly eyed: her: keenly: :.%<. {. .
Kate did not turn a hair. a"Of
course not. Why?" 3, .ss:.s:~. =,
Did you know?" ;Polly's* tone was
very suspicious. - =. -: 4.
why I am going to. be one -of the
bridesmaids; Josiah asked me. some
time ago. =::.z,$ LIZ: ~sS !. = ~. ~ J.
! Five: times in the course of the day
Kate had to repeat |: her = story but
she: did III SO well, and was SO prompt
and straightforward under subtle and
searching cross4examinat ion,S :: that the
most malicious could not Justly: throw
I doubts On her story It. cost !. Kate
/ something, however j: to wear that .smil-
Ting face. She longeds .to tell everybody
THAT he was a s eceiYing Wret Z 8 and
she hated him e l VI < ,s3% n.
! ! Nor was Mrs. Blossom less accom- econ :.
Eplished. I'LL sslrtF' olks thought they knew
q pile she. sale, iths sa laugh ary
sCobbley Ivoul dn't:Y have said what size
did to me before she died re she hadn't
been sure he'd have been safe with
II me j would # say Us never
nervous about srny Kate as she ight
'EhaYe5 got sfo I'M, living III Sthe
| same h1ouge. But spoke her.Ha1ld q
Zen sI f6un at NheN WASH ,f Her Saf,yf