The Cairo bulletin., 1906-05-16

no longer worked out Of doors. Some.
times when drifts were deep, he hap
pened around to see II his syringa
bushes were breaking. and kindly Of.
Tered to shovel them out" Once or
twice he yentursd to drop in without
special invitation. but TO his perpleX.
lily found his reception less cordial.
Without going very deeply into the
reason for II. he began 10 be conscious
that he enjoyed his calls best when
Lizzie was present and fell into
habit OF asking her what evenings she
would be there. Sometimes when 1t
was snowy he called for her with his
team
So, In the natural course of human
events. it was not long before a rumor
came to Miss Maria's ears that Dea-
con Goodyear was paying Lizzie
marked attention. The story filled her
with deep concern, particularly since
her aroused observation could but con
firm it.
I'm afraid Lucretia's right, and
widow isn't the proper person for
| chareron," sighed Miss Maria TO her
self But there, il he's really in ear
nest Liz1iell 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 patche,
| in the hollows, when Miss Maria
| stepped into her yard one morning, no
| ticing with 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 Czarlna as he did this
spring Seemed as if he couldn't wait
for the snow to go off 80 he could get
to her grave Yet within ten minutes
having from Czarina led skilfully up
to the point, he was offering Miss Ma
ria a position as Mrs solomon Good
year.
Miss Maria was astonished and in
dignant. With mpch 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 he dead
leaves on Czarinas grave Miss Maria
said nothing to her sister She felt
crushed and Inundated someway. 1t
seemed to her as if Deacon Goodyear
had trifed with them all as a family
She would have a talk with Lizzie and
find out now the poor girl took it,
She walked into the schoolroom after
the children were gone, with distressed
face al sight of which Lizzie's smile
dimmed little.
oh, Aunt Maria, she said; 81 hope
you're not disappointed"
AT WHAT asked Miss Maria.
Because I refused Deacon Goodyear
Did he tell you? | was so surprised.
for 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'I til ink me wicked, Aunt Maria,
but | actually laughed after was
alone to think what good joke Arthur
would have thought IT, And then
cried. thinking that in Heaven we
might not care for jokes. But to-day
have been thinking how much you
asked rs 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 deacons
strange behavior as she went slowly
homeward What would Lucretia say?
A souid Of voices reached her from
the sitting-room. Deacon Goodyear,
no longer depressed or mournful, sat
beside her sister. Miss Lucretia's
.heeks were soft pink.
oh. Maria!" she said
Miss Maria turned inquiringly 10.
ward the deacon, who colored. but met
her gaze unainchingly.
'T.ucretia's promised to marry me.
he said. firmly.
Miss Maria gave him a whitening
COX
ALLOW me to congratulate you" she
,aid. She put away her bonnet ana
\ ent straight to the kitchen, putting
Ter head back through the door to in
luire: "Will your young man stay to
ca. Lucretia?'
Deacon Goodyear followed her out
.arefully closing both doors behind
him.
Look here. now" he said in low
,ut determined voice. you probably
hink this is terribly funny, and maybe
{ does look queer Lucretia's the one
wanted all the time. But kept
hearing reports about how | was
ourting OF Lizzie, and kind OF
bought maybe my attentions did re-.
uire an offer But Lizzie didn't want
ne. Then kind of thought
hat maybe your turn come
ext But neither did you want
ne Then. having fulfilled my duty
n the best of my knowledge. there
idnt seem to be any reason why
bouldn't follow my inclination ano
SIX Lucretia Twas her ! wanted all
he time