The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1906-01-11
Wbet1 Homer
DuStled
Bye. 3. LEWIS



lived on farm just out of Melville,
with his sister for houseleepcr. Ad-
joining his farm was that Of the Wild
ow Williams. She was thirty five years
old. but she moved around with the
step of a girl. She had only put off her
mourning when Abner fell in love with
her
The widow was looked upon as a
catch by more than one. and Abner had
to brush aside three WidowrrS. two Old
bachelors and a young man or two be
fore he stood in the front row.
Ahner Hope WIS what some folks
call poke. He wasn't lazy. but he
was easy going. He intended to take
the widow unaer his arm in due time
and clear away the line of fences be
tween the two farms, but he didn't see
any special hurry about it.
The widow had said that if she ever
married again she would insist, on Il
bridal tour lasting at least two weeks,
and he had 10 figure rs to the most
convenient time for sparing those two
weeks from the farm. He also wanted
to study the widow and make sure that
she was what she seemed and ii was
also pleasant thing 10 sit with her on
the veranda and talk romance and
love. There were many reasons for let
ting things drag along.
Abner never had popped the question
and been answered with YES" al
though it was tacitly understood that
there was an engagement one even
ing he strolled over in his easy way tn
And the widow in IA snHppH frame Of
mind. She had been doing mp pre-
serves that day and burned her hand.
Her greeting WAS not as effnSive rs
usual but HAT did not disturb Abncr
In the least He SIT down and began
to talk abonl the corn crop, and the
widow stood il for ten minutes before
she snapped out
Look here, Abncr Hope 10 YOU
know that folhs are talking about u.s.
Il hadn't heard anything in particu-
lar
well. have Mrs. Richards told me
today that the whole ncghbOrhood
was wondering why YOU came here so
often"
"Why-why. come ACQUIRING of
course. thought everybody knew
that" was the surprised answer
And what has come of it?'
Nothing as yet but as soon a. can
get around 10 it I'm going 10 ask YOU
to marry me I suppose You under
stand that"
Mr.. Hope" replied the widow as
she looked up with flashing eyes you
needn't waste your breath asking me
to marry Won"
why. Mary. what's come over YOU
all at once
81 am Mrs. Williams, If YOU please,
and as ! am very busy this evening I
hope you will excuse ns"
DO you mean that you are going to
marry some one else" asked Ahner
after moments thought
MY business is my own. sir"
Don't be a dodo, Mary"
How dare You talk to me this way?
Sir, bid You good evening"
: She rose mp and entered the house,
and after sitting around for half an
hour Abner took a slow departure and
made his way homcward As he
thought matters over his conscience
told him that he was derelict. He
should have settled the matter weeks
before and been ready to get married
as soon aS corn husking WAS over. The
result of his deliberations WAS that he
lat a 81,
down the widows temper and then call
and ask her TO sci the day He realized
that he loved her. but he didn't per
spire over the thought of losing her.
1t so happened that .kbner had to go
to town on Il lawsuit for couple OF
work on the farm. and it was IA week
before he made his next visit to the
widows.
He found that things had changed.
She was entertaining n man about forty
years old whom she introduced as Mr..
Simpsons attitude that he was much
attracted.
Abner was formally introduced rs
Mr.. Hope and the widow conversed
with him as il they had seldom met.
Mr.. Simpson was engaged in driving
wells. putting up wire fencing and
erecting windmillS. and Abner dis
covered that he had a rival Indeed.
Mr.. Simpson was more than Il rival.
He was now the man inside
Abner Hope'went home to wake mp.
There was Il feeling in his heart that
he had never felt before-that of jeal-