The Southern herald., 1911-06-09

entered the presence of that oHcfal
with tears In her eyes 70 say.
"zeke Parsons. you are = cen
stable
Eyes. widow. l have reached that
high pinnacle"
Amt there a law against pesterlns
a bodyg"
There sure Is"
Then / want Jim skesn arrested
and jailed
~whewl Why Jim skesn wouldna
poster a ~"
~But tell you be II pesterins met
80! How7"
Asking me to marry him when
don't want to. He's asked me three
timesi"
But that ain't pestering." said the
constable as a smile crossed his face.
THAT is, II amt within the meaning
Of the law. That's eourting No law
to stop man counting as ] knows
Of"
but ain't It threats when he says
he's bound TO have me?"
mo. That's just saying that be
loves you better than any other wom-
an. and is willing to swim the mill
pond to get YOU Why don't you
marry him7"
Because don't want to marry any
one. | don't and ] won't, and ! call
upon the law TO protect met"
Lots O. laws on the statute books,
Widow Faber. but don't know--L
don't know about this. If Jem Skeen
was throwing stones at your hens OF
breaking your windows the law would
grab him In minute. but as long as
he's only asking you to marry him,
what are we going to dot II my old
woman was dead reckon I'd ask
you myself"
The widow didn't 90 home with
tears In her eyes She vas too mad
for that. She hunted around for =
stout club and stood Il In convenient
spot. and that club was meant for
the Widower Skeen In case he pes.
tered again
It so happened, however, that ho
was called away for the next two
weeks on business, and the club was
not brought into use. One day, Just
as the two weeks were up, the Widow
Faber started out to pay visit to q
woman across the creek that ran
through the town. On the path she
took this creek was crossed by foot
bridge. 1t was a shaky affair at best.
and few people used It. She had just
reached the middle Of the structure
when she saw Mr.. Skeen advancing
from the other end She halted and
he came along up and said:
well, widow, you see | am back.
Going somewhere?"
"Yes."
Il was in hopes would and you
at home, as l wish to talk about our
getting married. Better 90 back With
me-
Mr.. Skeen, I'll never marry you
never!" she replied with vlgof.
"Oh. yes, you win. You forgot that
I am determined man. I'll call this
evening for you to set the datel"
IF you poster me again Fll--
PHI"
She had no time to complete ths
sentence. Under their united weight
the old bridge went down with
crash. It was a fall Of ten feet, and
the creek had depth Of six feet and
swift current. The widow screamed
and .gasped and gurgled, but the
widower was cool. He supported her
and made landing hundred feet
below. As she leaned up against
tree, limp and bedraggled. he said:
widow Faber, may call this
evening and talk the wedding overY'
mo, no, moi" she gasped.
"AlI right. We vill make It Sun
day evening. Widow, let me call your
!. attention to the fact that we have
landed on the shores Of Deacon
Shines pasture. The deacon owns .
bull, and that bull is coming for US
, and we must climb this tree Up you
60. That's 1t. Just in time. He
/ can't reach US, and win go away n
time Now, as f. our getting mar
ried. We are up a tree, Of course
, but don't you think-?"
} 4 do, / doi1 she exclaimed IN an
swer. T said I'd never marry you.
but will. You've pestered. and I've
! been drowned. and here's q bull-roar-
ing at us. and l can't hold out no
), longer! Yes James, I'm yours Wen
: be married tomorrow"