Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1910-09-20
j0NATHAN'S
--.
EMANCIPATION.
His Slster-in-law Helped, and the
% Widow Helped Too.
BY HELEN T. QUIGG.

Jerusha Amanda Dibbs was his
/ brothers wife and had asserted and
maintained her authority over both his
brother and himself ever since she had
become member OF the family. AL
morning he had been wondering I'm
easily Tor whom the storm was brew
Ing, and. rs her husband had got out
or the house unscathed, he feared thai
he was I'm for 1t. He was standing by
the window now. looking out aimless
! ~ wishing that 1t were over and yet
not daring to avoid 1t. and when she
entered the room In which he stood
clearing her throat emphatically. he
turned toward her with q SILVER of
apprehension. He was a stout man,
with an air Of mild indecision about
him; about his soft. sandy hair; about
his broad. rounded shoulders; about
even his easy. Srnyish luce sack coat.
It's pretty capers you've been cut
ting around that Jennet widow" she
said.
Jonathan looked. 1t must be confess
ed, not only surprised, but worried.
Il hope i have not made any trouble
for her." he said doubtfully.
It's absurd. positively absurd" con-
tinued Mrs. Dibbs. Topping into a
chair. TThe idea of marrying TINT
silly little fool. without n cent 70 her
name. and at your age too"
Her brother-in-law had not really
had an intention OF any sort in regard
to the widow. Indeed. he had never
mad decided intention I'm regard TO
anything since Mrs. Dibbs had taken
possession. Nevertheless I've felt mild.
~ indignant enough TO make n faint
retort II am sure. Amanda. you were
not much younger when you married
Lucien," said he In his quiet way.
The curling pins In which Mrs. Dibbs'
front locks were confined bristled with
anger. .
Il should like to know" she began IN
deep. ominous voice. what business
TINT is OF yours. And you know well
enough. Jonathan Dibbs. thnt when Z
married your brother I was rot nearlv
as old as you are But anyhow her
tone had become loud and resopo tif.L-
anyhow / never was such n Childish
simpleton as you nre and always Will
be to the end Of your doys-.to be fool.
ed and taken In by a designing. no
account little creature that's been fish
ing for husband ever since that pofjr
invalid man OF hors died. worried tn
death by her Hightiness. I'll warrpnft
That's pretty thing to happen To q
man Ike you. isn't it, Ecre Mrs
Dibbs cboked, and Iounthnn, tool, rd
vantage OF the uomentary check in
her assault 30 inquire. who told vnu
j was going 10 marry her. Amandaf"
WHO told me-" she burst out
WHO told mo? Why. hasn't the little
fool herself been telling II all around
the town that you wanted TO marry
her and" in high. slmperlng fnIsctto.
that she didn't know whether she
ought to think OF Il or not. but TINT
Mr. Dibbs wax such nice man snd
such friend Of her poor. dear Ar
thur and she would hate 10 djsapuoipt
him? oh, the IDIOT
Jonathan Dibbs looked thoughtful
suddenly the figure Of the widow i'm
question appeared before his minds
eye. 1t was a neat. retiring little fig
ure, with soft brown hair aud small
face, slightly sunburned. but sweet and
tender, and with an individuality of
It's own that only a patient. conscien.
uous life could have given Il. He com.
pared 1t With the large, obtruslve face