Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1906-05-02

ant sitting-rocm. 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 II his syringa
bushes were breaking and kindly OF.
fered to shovel them out" Once or
twice he ventured to drop In without
special invitation. but to his perplex~
ity found his reception less cordial.
Without going very deeply into the
reason for IL. he began to 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 Il
vas snowy he called for her with his
team.
SO. In tho natural course Of human
events. II was not long before q rumor
came to Miss Marias 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.
arm II.
I'm afraid Lucretia's right. and q
widow isn't the proper person for q
chaperon." sighed Miss Maria to her
self. But there. IL he's really in ear
nest. Lizzie'll make him a nice little
wife. and IL 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.
tcing 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 Czarlna as he did this
spring Seemed as IL he couldn't wait
for the snow to go OF so he could get
10 ner grave. Yet within ten minutes.
having from Czarina led skillfully up
TO the point, he was Offering Miss Ma.
ria position as Mrs Solomon Good.
year.
Miss Maria was astonished and In
dignant With much dignity but in
few words, she declined the honor ana
walked back 10 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. II
seemed to her as II Deacon Goodyear
had trified with them all as a family.
She would have a talk with Lizzie and
find out how the poor girl took II.
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 l had thought he was good TO me
on account OF being family friend
But last night he came around so sol
emn. and asked me 20 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
would have thought It, And then I
cried. thinking that In Heaven we
might not care for jokes But to-day
have been thinking how much you
asked us there together. and was so
afraid you wanted something of the
kind"
II never thought Of such a thing"
declared Miss Maria with perfect
truth. She pondered on the deacon's
strange behavior as she went slowly
homeward. What would Lucretia say?
A sound Of voices reached her from
the sitting-room. Deacon Goodyear.
no longer depressed OF mournful sat
beside her sister. Miss Lucretia's
cheeks were a soft pink.
ooh, Maria" she said
Miss Maria turned inquirIngly TO-
ward the deacon, who colored but met
her gaze unhinchingly.
'Lucretias promised to marry me-"
he said. firmly
Miss Maria gave him a whitening
look.
ALLOW me to congratulate you" she
said She put away her bonnet and
went straight to the kitchen. putting
her head back through the door TO in
quire. "Wiil your young man stay to
tea, Lucretia?"
Deacon Goodyear followed her out.
carefully closing both doors behind
him.
Look here, now" he said. in low
but determined voice: you probably
think this IS terribly funny. and maybe
II does look queer Jucretia's the one
! wanted all the time. But I kept
a-hearing reports about how was
cOmrLing Of Llzzia and Lind Of