The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1906-04-27

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would kindly see her home.
The deacon came less frequently 10
the cemetery now The snow was be
ginning to accumulate, and Ntss Maria
no longer worked out OF doors. Some
times when drifts were deep, he nap
pened around to SEQ II his syrinsa
bushes were breaking. and kindly o.
fered to shovel them out" Once OF
twice he ventured to drop In withou'
special invitation, but to his perpleS
/ ity found his reception less coraiai
Without going very deeply INTO the
reason for It, he began to be conscious
that Ire enjoyed his calls best wheh
Lizzie was present, and fell INTO
habit OF asking her what evenings she
would be thore. Sometimes when II
was snowy he called for her with Ms
team.
So, In the natural course OF human
events. It was not long before a rumoI
came to Miss MariaS ears that Dea
con Goodyear was paying Lizzie
marked attention The story filled hH
with deep concern. particularly since
her aroused observation could but con
firm It.
I'm afraid Lucretias right and q
widow isn't the proper person lot a
chaperon." sighed Miss Maria to her
self. But there, II he's really in ear
nest. Lizzie'll make him a nice little
wife, and II 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 to 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 one morning no.
ticing with n 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 not depressed. He had
never missed Czarina as he did this
spring. Seemed as II he couldn't wait
for the snow to go off so 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
dignant With mich dignity but In
few words, she declined the honor and
walked back to the house, leaving the
deacon more depressed than before
poking his cane about among the dead
leaves on Czarnas grave. Miss Mario
) said nothing TO her sister. She felt
crushed and Inundated, someway. II
seemed to her as If Deacon Goodyear
had trIned with them all as a family
, She would have a talk with Lizzie and
: find out how the poor girl took 1t,
; She walked into the schoolroom after
Z the children were gone. with distressed
face. at sight OF which Lizzles smil,
dimmed a little
"Oh, Aunt Maria" she said; 81 hopt
you're not disappointed"
at WHAT" asked Miss Maria.
Because refused Deacon Goodyear
Did he tell you? was so surprised
for had thought he was good to mt
on account OF being a family friend
But last night he came around so sol
emn. and asked me TO marry him II
such n mournful manner! I'm afraiC
you'll think me wicked. Aunt Maria
but actually laughed after ! wa
alone 70 think what a good joke Arthur
would have thought It. And then
cried. thinking that in Heaven w
might not care for jokes, But to.da!
have been thinking how much yol
asked us there together, and was 81
afraid you wanted something of tn
kind"
II never thought Of such a thing,
declared Miss Maria, with perfec
truth. She pondered on the deacon
strange behavior as she went slowl
homeward. What would Lucretia say
{ A sound Of voices reached her fror
= the sitting.room. Deacon Goodyear
S no longer depressed or mournful, ga
: beside her sister. Miss Lucretia'
I cheeks we're n soft pink.
8 "oh. Maria!" she said.
o Miss Maria turned inqulringly Il
n ward the deacon, who colored, but me
h her gaze unfiinchingly.
!, "Lucretias promised to marry me.
o he said firmly.
Miss Maria gave him a witherin
8 look.
l. ALLOW me to congratulate you" sh
: said. She put away her bonnet an
u went straight to the kitchen. putin
S her head back through the door to ir
qulre: "will your young man stay t
tea, Lucretia?"
e Deacon Goodyear followed her on
) carefully closing both doors benin
him.
1t Look here, now" he said In a To-
but determined voice: you probabl
= think this Is terribly funny, and mayh
II does look queer. Lucretia's the on