The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1909-03-27

hurt. Cap'n Ezra. We never use that
chair now. 1t used to belong to IA
ther."
Miss Tempy was heard to remark,
feebly. that 1t looked $50 like him."
She declared afterward that she didn't
say 1t.
The captain made light Of the acci.
dent and selected another seat care
fully testing 1t beforehand. He at once
began to talk about the weather and
Miss Prissy's illness. But the older
sister interrupted him as soon as the
opportunity offered.
"What made you come to the back
doorT she asked.
There wasn't an instant's hesitancy
In the captains reply:
"Oh." he said lightly, "it's rainin' a
little. land l thought ! wouldn't muss
up them floors of yours. know them
floors Of DID," lie added, and laughed
heartily. He continued to talk about
the floors and seemed to think his fear
OF soiling them great joke. Miss
Tempy, who was trife more rational
by this time, laughed with him. but
Miss Prissy seemed still curious.
"You used to come to the dinin' room
door, even when 1t snowed,r she said.
"Yes, but had on my sea boots this
time. and they're 30 big tote ha'f the
road along with me. Reminds me-" he
added hastily, just In time to cut of
another question, ''of what the old man
my dad, / mean-said about colored
cook he had aboard his ship once. Dad
said that darky's feet was the largest
live things without lungs that he ever
saw out Of water"
Bradley thought he had never seen
bis partner 30 willing, even anxious.
to mOnopolize the entire conversation.
rs he was that evening. He cracked
Jokes and spun yarns without stopping
to rest Clara came In, after q little,
and seated herself quietly on the sofa.
She. too, seemed q trifle nervous, but
the sisters did not notice II. They
were hypnotixed by their callers live
~ tongue and laughed like girls. Miss
PTtssy grew more like herself every
minute.
Don't 90, cap'n," she pleaded, AZ the
visitor pulled out his watch and rose
from the chair. II declare, you're
better'n the doctor!''
Much obliged, Prissy, but twas too
much Of a good thing that busted the
the cider jug. Two opposition doc
tors In one house would be like the two
Irishmen fightin' for the pig-'twas an
Elegant row while 1t lasted, but it
killed the pig. No. must be .gittin'
on. ] left my umbrella out In the
kitchen. Clara. bring the lamp, win
You. pleaser'
Clara rose and started for the kitch.
en-, but Miss Tempy intercepted her.
I'll git your umbrella. cap'n." she
said.
mo. no. you set still! Clara knows
Just where It's; she put 1t away"
"Well. guess can find It. You
needn't come. Clara. Yes, here tits.
Good night. Cap'n Titcomb. II hope,
now you've found the way. you'll call
again some evenin'. Bradley II be glad
to see you. and 80 will Prissy and
and l. Good night"
The captain walked briskly down to
the gate. Then. as the door closed
behind him, he paused. wiped his fore
head with his coat sleeve and drew q
long breath.
There was jubilatlon In the old
maids room that night.
On Tuesday of the following week
this telegram came:
Boston. Mass.
Bradley Nickerson. Orham, Mass.
Come my office Immediately.
ALPHEUs COOK.
"Humphr' grunted Captain Titcoml.
Short and crisp. like the old woman's
pie crust. amt it? Well. Brad, I guess
you'd better CO."
Bradley agreed with him and hur-
ried home to pack his grip. He took
care to tell Gus. She rejoiced with
him over the triumph they both felt
sure was coming.
You're succeeding. Brad" she said.
Everybody Is talking about 1t. I'm
prouder Of you than ever"
but when will you he willing to
have me tell people that wore en-
gagged? Mayn't do that now. Gusy"
She paused. and his hopes rose, but
then she shook her head. 1T wouldn't
be fair to you." she said. Sometimes
l feel that almost-well. like YOU
enough to lie content to stay in Orham
all my life and work for you and with
you. I'm trying hard to feel that way.
But at other times 1t seems as IL I
must get away to where the people
talk OF something besides their neigh.
bors' affairs; where there are great
things being done and where the world
moves. You think I'm Inconsistent.
don't your?
mo. 1t Is dull down here, and most
OF the folks are rather narrow, I'm
afraid. Gus, you know what my busi-
ness means to me. Well. II It will
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