Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1910-09-17
JONATHAN'S
EMANCIP ALTON.
His Slster-in-Iaw Helped, and the
Widow Helped Too.
BY HELEN T. ouIaa.

JeTuSnd Amdnuu DlDDS was his
brothers wife and had asserted and
maintained her authority over both his
brother and himself ever since she had
become a member of the family. All
morning he had been wondering I'M
easily for whom the storm was brew
ing, and. as her husband had got out
of the house unscathed, he feared that
he was in for II. He was standing by
ly, wishing that II 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 a shiver 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. grayish lace sack coat.
ITS 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.
II hope have not made any trouble
for her." he said doubtfully.
ITS absurd. positively absurd" con-
tinued Mrs. Dibbs. looping into a
chair. ':The idea of marrying that
silly little fool, without cent to 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
hoA a aaofdad intanfinn In rom rd fo
anything since Mrs. Dibbs had taken
possession. Nevertheless he felt mild
ly indignant enough to make a faint
retort 81 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.
81 should like to know" she began In
a deep. ominous voice, what business
that is of yours. And you know well
enough. Jonathan Dibbs, that when I
married your brother was not nearly
as old as you are. But anyhow"-her
tone had become loud and resonant
anyhow never was such childish
simpleton as you are and always will
be to the end of your days-to be fool
ed and taken In by designing. no
account little creature that's been fish
ing for a husband ever since that poor
invalid man of hers died. worried to
death by her fightiness. I'll warrant!
That's a pretty thing to happen to
man like you, isn't it?" Here Mrs.
Dibbs choked, and Jonathan took ad-
vantage Of the momentary check in
her assault to inquire, who told you
I was going to marry her. AmandaT
"Who told meT she burst out.
fool herself been telling It all around
the town that you wanted to marry
her and" in high, simpering falsetto,
that she didn't know whether she
ought to think OF. 1t or not. but that
Mr. Dibbs was such nice man and
such friend of her poor, dear Ar
thur and she would hate to disappoint
him? Oh. the idiotw
Jonathan Dibbs looked thoughtful.
Suddenly the figure of the widow in
question appeared before his minds
eye. 1t was neat. retiring little fig
ure, with soft brown hair aud small
tender, and with an individuality of
its own that only patient. conscien-
tious life could have given 1t. He COM
pared 1t with the large, obtrusiye face
and figure of his sister-in-law, and grad
ually he began to smile. A sudden sense
of relief came to him in the contempla-
ton of the little widow and a strange.
unusual sense of pleasure, the JOY of
the awakening of desire and a will
In him which he had never before sus-
pected.
II guess the little woman really did
think | wanted to marry her." he re-
marked pleasantly.
"Of course she did" replied Mrs.
Dibbs smartly In her loud, scornfuI
voice. not noting the change In her vic
TINS attitude toward her. ''Of course
she did. the conceited little piece"
II wouldn't be absurd If | were you.
Amanda" said Jonathan Dibbs. 1T
doesn't suit your size" He had skopen
very slowly and smoothly, but he gasp
ed little now that he had achieved
this crude but radical assertion of his
freedom. He had reason to gasp.
what! You dare! You darev' She
stood before him glaring. and his un-
accountable inclination to laugh at her
frightened him more than her passion
did. You .darer' she shouted. you
you brute! l knew that little fool
had you in her clutches. knew It, |
Did she tell you to say that? I might |
have known she would bring you to |
forget all honor and truth and duty. |
Don't you dare bring her to this house,
you brute! Size. indeed. She isn't the |
size of fence rail. That's your idea |
of beauty. suppose. Just you dare
to marry herr
Jonathan Dibbs. though his heart |
quaked within him. walked boldly past |
her to the door There he turned. 81
may send you an invitation to the
wedding IL she cares to have you come.
Anyhow I'll send you an announce
ment. Say goodby to Lucien for me.
will you? Poor LUCENT! He grinned
happily into her blazing eyes and. shut
ting the door with u bang as he went