The Newark journal. (Newark, Ark.) 1901-1959, 1906-09-14
fla. as usual. had her way.

ria as usual. had her way.
The dinner party proved In every
way a success. Lizzie, whose only
home was a boarding house. accepted
the invitation with such delight that
the sisters felt a little guilty. and
agreed that 1t was not necessary to ex-
plain the capacity in which she was to
serve. Yet she unconsciously acted
her part to perfection. As for the dea-
con. he confessed TO Miss Maria that
II was the first meal of victuaIs" he
had really relished since Czarina died.
Lizzie found herself invited to her
aunts' frequently that winter, much to
her own enjoyment. 1t was very pleas
ant to come after hard day in school
and spend cozy evening in the pleas
ant sitting-room. And nearly always
Deacon Goodyear dropped in, and
would kindly see her home.
The deacon came less frequently to
the cemetery now. The snow was be-
ginning to accumulate. and Miss Maria
no longer worked out OF doors. Some
times when drifts were deep, he hap
pened around to see If his syringa
bushes were breaking. and kindly of
fered to shovel them out" Once or
twice he ventused to drop in without
special invitation, but to his perplex-
ity found his reception less cordial.
Without going very deeply into the
reason for 1t, he began to be conscious
that he enjoyed his calls best when
1nf6
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 a
widow isn't the proper person for a
ehaperon, sighed Miss Maria to her
self. But there, if he's really in ear
nest, Lizzie1l make him a nice little
wife, and if Lucretias satisfied I'm
sure l am And seeing no way by
which her Intervention might better
matters, Miss Maria wisely decided
to let them take their course.
The croeuses 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 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 not depressed. He had
never missed Czarina as he did this
spring Seemed as if 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 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 much 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 Czarinas grave. Miss Maria
said nothing to her sister. She felt
crushed and Inundated, someway. 1t
seemed to her as If Deacon Goodyear
had trifled with them all as a family.
She would have a talk with Lizzie and
find out how the poor girl took It.
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; 81 hope
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 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 good joke Arthur