The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1909-06-22

81 hardly think so" replied the
woman after moments thought.
But you hain't red headed. you see.
| and that makes a heap Of difference.
Mebbe you couldn't be made jealous,
| but red headed women and jealousy 80
I, together. Lord. but when she sees my
/ arm stealing around your waist she'll
grow foot taller in minit!'
"But l couldn't allow that, SAM"
"Oh. yes. you could. Mary. You'll al
low 1t for old times sake. Your con-
science has always troubled you for
the way you throwed mo down. and
I'm telling you that this ia the last
chance for me. II lose the Widder
Grimes I'm gone coon. The turtle
doves will never COO for me again."
There was more talk, and the Widow
| Spooner finally gave a doubtful and
reluctant consent She warned Sam.
however, that he was taking chances
and must put up with consequences.
A day and hour were named for him
| to drive over again. and he went home
with smile on his face for the first
time in weeks. When the day came
| for him to head for, Parkville again he
drove at a slow pace past the Plum
| Tree farm.
The Widow Grimes was out among
the cabbages killing slugs. She saw
him and waved her hand, but he look
ed straight ahead and never stopped.
This was to make her wonder what
| was up. The other widow was ready.
and In an hour or SO the old white
horse and democrat wagon came trot-
ting back. The Widow Grimes stood
in the open door. They saw that she
did. and Sam chuckled and cackled
and whispered to his companion:
ITS world beater. Mary. Lean on
me as If you loved me half to death"
Mary leaned. and two minutes later.
as they were square in front of the
house. be said:
Now my arm goes around your
waist. The Widder Grimes sees 1t.
Her heels are lifting up. dasn't look
at her, but l know that her face Is as
red as beet. The demon has sudden
ly appeared. and she's saying to her
self that she'll kill any woman that
takes me away from her. Lord. Mary.
but l shall be grateful to you all the
rest Of my days!'
They drove up the road two miles
and then turned about to repeat the
| performance. This time the Widow
| Grimes was halfway down to the gate.
| She pretended to be pulling some
weeds out Of the bed Of pinks, but 1t
was only pretense She saw the Widow
| Spooner lean: she saw an arm go
around her waist: she almost beard
whispers of love as the old wagon
creaked along.
MARY Spooner." said Sam Bottford
as he helped her out Of the wagon at
her own gate. I'm owing you debt
I can never. never pay. You've helped
me through like the good woman you
are. AS drive along back the Wild
der Grimes will be ut the gate to
blow me up. and after the blowing 1t
will be the preacher and n marriage.
Nobody ever had such plan before.
| It has worked without skipping a cog.
Don't you buy no taters this fall. I'll
see to it that you have ten bushels to
start the winter on-yes. ten bushels
Of taters and Il crock Of butter"
"And when shall know how you
came out?" she asked.
"Oh, you'll hear it talked Of in two
or three days. and you'll hear that we
are off on our wedding tour. Lord.
Mary. hasn't it worked beautifully
beau-ti-ful-ly!'
Two hours later. as the Widow
Spooner was eating her supper. she
heard the rattle Of that democrat wag-
on again and another Whoa" and
went to the door just as Sam Bottford
reached the veranda and sat down on
| the steps.
"For mercys sake. but what has
| happened?" she exclaimed.
"There won't be any wedding! re-
| piled hollow voice.
"Now
"Nor any bridal tour!'
"Now
"Nor any nothing"
But why. Sam. why?"
Because the Widder Grimes and
Abe Johnson were married three days
ago! She was down to the gate to tell
me as l drove back and to hope that
my health was the same as usual"
The Widow Spooner turned her
head to hide smile.
II knew it all along. Sam" said she,
"but thought you wouldn't ever be
satisfied until you had tried every way
you knew"
Samuel looSed at her. Slowly
smile crept over his face.
ITO tell you the truth" said ne. Il
nearly hollered for joy. Mary he
&rWNH FTNn