Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1911-06-08

perl"
Henry" she said, addreSSingh her hus-
band, "eat your supper quick and be
about what planned. Tonight at =
o'clock-eveYbody, you understand"
Mrs. Spinning nodded and frowned and
smiled at her husband.
w'll see to it, Maria," he chuckled soft
ly. Then, addressing their guest, he said,
"When you going TO leave Little River,
Joel"
Tomorrow night" said Joel, helping
himself TO another biscuit.
"Wish you was going to stay" said
the deacon cordially. "Youll be missed,
Joel"
Missed" scoffed Mr.. TykeSbury, for
getting his diffidence in his astoniShment.
who'll miss me?"
Everybody in Little River" said the
deacon quietly. "There's few here but
what you've done good, turn for some
time or other. You've forgotten 'em, |
suppose, but folks haven't They like to
see you around, and if you wasn't so
bashful you'd be the most popular man
in the village, not even excepting the
postmaster. Eth, Maria2"
"Ot course he would You look so
stern, Joel, that it seems to some folks
that you're stony pillar Of the church
in deed as well as name!" Mrs. Spinn-
ing laughed heartily, while Joel smiled in
a surprised manner.
"Me bashfuI2" he stammered. "Why,
| never thought about that. guess |
thought folks wasn't cordial enough when
they thought wasn't"
you've got TO meet folks half way in
everything. 'Tain't fair to expect some
to do all the being pleasant and sociable.
Well, Maria, I'll 60 on that errand if Joel
will excuse me. See you later!" With
that the deacon disappeared, and Joel
helped Mrs. Spinning clear away the
dishes.
"Do you recollect my niece, Charlotte
Wayland?" she asked as she stepped
into the front parlor and lighted the prism
hung lamp, on the center table. "She
was visiting me ten years ago."
Joel flushed holly. Indeed, he did re-
member the pretty girl at whom he scarce
ly dared glance in church, yet to whom
he had irevocably lost his heart. Much
OF the silence and loneliness Of the past
ten years might be laid at the door OF his
hearsickness after pretty Charlotte had
returned to her distant home. He heard
afterward that she had married.
81 remember" he said family.
"She'S in Little River. Come TO visit
my sister. Charlotte's widow and as
pretty one as ever saw. declare, it
don't seem proper for a widow TO De
quite so good looking as our Charlotte.
Mrs. Spinning smiled innocently as she
thrust photograph into Joe'S hand.
"That'S Charlotte. She's coming around
tonight, and you'll have to see her home"
AT that instant the bell rang clamorously
and, with slight chuckle of delight, Mrs.
Spinning haStened TO answer it, while
Joel devoured the picture with his eyes,
now hopeful, no longer shy or diffident.
Their depths contained new purpose,
new light, new courage. Here was
something to fight for and win-Charlotte
Wayland that was
The door opened, and into the room
streamed merry crowd of men, women
and children. All the folks in Little River
seemed gathered together under Deacon
Spinning's hospitable roof. "Surprise,
Joel Tykesbury" they cried in unison as
they crowded around him.
In that brief moment OF excitement of
meeting all these old acquaintanceS in
this genial atmosphere they dropped the
old guise and became friends. Joel swal-
lowed sob as he realized that they had
gathered to say goodby to him, to say
how sorry they were he was leaving
Little River, TO give him sendoff and to
say to him that every latchstring in Little
River was always out for Joel TykeSbury.
That was the beginning OF the happiest
evening Joel had ever known. Before il
ended he had forever dropped his cloak
Of reserve, and he found that his fellow
townsmen met him more than half way.
A strange new JOY rang in his heart, for
the widowed Charlotte had blushed beau
tifully when their eyes met and ne had
asked the pleasure OF her company home
and been accepted. All at once his plans
changed with lightning rapidity. He
would build the house, and Charlotte
he would win herl He was glad that his
inheritance was still secret.
"Joel Tykesbury seems to have found
his tongue at last" said Miss Fanny Pol
lard rather acidIy. Seems like he's all
took up over that flighty widow. ! guess
Maria Spinning knew what she was talk
ing about when she said he was going to
marry widow"
Mrs. Spinning overheard the remark
and smiled mirthfully. 81 didn't know a
thing, Fanny. Charlotte's coming now
was dispensation OF providence"
"Dispensation OF providence, assisted
by Maria Spinningr" shifted Miss Pollard,
quite unconvinced.