Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1906-04-26

90
So, in the natural course Of human
events, 1t 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 coa'
firm II.
I'm afraid Lucretia's right, and q
widow isn't the proper person Tor a
chaperon," sighed Miss Maria to her.
self. "But there. if he's really in ear
nest, Lizzie'll make him q nice little
wife, and If Lucretia's 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 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 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 deat
leaves on Czarina's grave. Miss Maria
said nothing to her sister. She fell
crushed and Inundated, someway. i
seemed to her as If Deacon Goodyeal
had trihed with them all rs a family
She would have a talk with Lizzie ant
find out how the poor girl took 1t.
She walked into the schoolroom afte
the children were gone, with distressed
face, at sight of which Lizzie's smil
dimmed a little.
"Oh, Aunt Maria" she said; II hop
you're not Disappointed"
) "At what?' asked Miss Maria.
l because I refused Deacon Goodyear
) Did he tell you? I was so surprised
for I had thought he was good to m
. on account of being a family FRIEND
But last night he came around so so
t emn, and asked me to marry him l
. such a mournful manner! I'm afrai
you'll think me wicked, Aunt Mari'
r but I actually laughed after l wa
8 alone to think what a good joke Arthu
would lave thought it. And then
cried, thinking that in Heaven W
! might not care for jokes. But to-da
I have been thinking how much 20
asked us there together, and was
afraid you wanted something Of II
kind"
n 81 never thought Of such q thing
declared Miss Maria, with perfe'
truth. She pondered on the deacon
strange behavior as she went slow
A homeward. What would Lucretia say
A sound Of voices reached her fro
the sitting.room. Deacon Goodyea
no longer depressed or mournful, s
beside her sister. Miss Luct eta
cheeks we're a soft pink.
"Oh, Maria!" she said.
Miss Maria turned inquiringly I
ward the deacon, who colored, but m
her gaze u~nfinchingly.
/ 'Iucretia's promised to marry me
he said, firmly.
A Miss Maria gave him q witheri1
look.
" ALLOW me to congratulate you," 81
said. She put away her bonnet al
went straight to the kitchen, putin
1T her head back through the door to |
e. quire: Evil your young man stay
tea, Lucretia"
r Deacon Goodyear followed her o,
Of carefully closing both doors behil
Is him.
to Look here, now" he said, in a IL
m but determined voice; you probah
n think this is terribly funny. and may
7, it does look queer. Lucretia's the o
to | wanted all the time. But l Ike
a-hearing reports about how I "
counting Of Lizzie, and l kind
n thought maybe my attentions did
e. quire an offer. But Lizzie didn't wa
me. Then I kind Of thong
rs that maybe your turn col
next. But neither did you wa
me. Then, having fulfilled my du
to the best Of my knowledge, the
IS didn't seem to be any reason why
n shouldn't follow my inclination a
at ask Lucretia. Twas her ! wanted
the time"
ar He paused. Miss Maria poked t
fire vigorously.
"Czarina was a good wife to m,
W. said the deacon, refiectively. IS
IN stood by me through thick and tn
70 and we bore the burden and heat
the day together. But wanted I
cretia 80 years ago"
~ Miss Maria hung the poker ba
- with a jerk.
"Well," she said, "Lucretia's of Q
and some considerably over. II s
wants to marry, she can"
la.