The Kennewick courier. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1905-1914, 1912-05-31
By F. A. Mitchell

Ilere was no parental aut nOElCy now.
for her father was dead and she had
become her own mistress. She found
herself obliged to give pain to one Of
her suitors. Each urged his salt and
gave her to understand that If she re-
fused him he would seek death. Par
don vowed he would seek it in battle
with the Indians. who we're lurking
near the settlements with hostile in
tent, and Benediction declared that he
would turn pirate.
Patience was horror stricken at these
threats and almost felt 1t her duty to
marry Benediction because by turning
pirate he would certainly lose his soul.
which was far more precious than q
mans life. but she was unable to de-
eide upon any course. SO she kept put
ting her lovers off with one excuse aft
er another till they were worn out with
delay, while she was worn out with
their opportunities.
Finally they both agreed that If she
would tell which of them in her heart
she preferred the one whom she did
not prefer would abandon the field to
the other without laying any blame
upon her. But it was not matter Of
blame from them. but disinclination
to give either Of them pain. She de-
cllned to consent to this proposition.
but said she would pray to be shown
her duty. She prayed. but no sign
came to guide her.
One day when she was making can
dies her two lovers came to her to-
gether, and Benediction said:
mistress Goodman. by thy indeci-
sion thee are giving both of Us pain.
whereas II thee would choose one Of
US that one would be happy. We
pray thee therefore to choose between
Us, naming that one thee would we'd"
The widow heaved a deep sigh. but
did not reply for some time. evidently
trying to say something and falling.
Finally. taking up candle in each
hand. she made the following PROPOSE
ton:
"Take each of you one Of these can
dies. light them at the same moment
and the one that burns the longest
him will l we'd"
Thankful at the prospect Of ending
the suspense under which they lived.
each took a candle. They had been
cast in the same mold and were con-
sequently Of equal length. Each would
burn from two to three hours. The
widow brought her steel and flint and.
lighting a blaze. touched It to each
candle at the same moment. Then
she told her suitors that when they
had burned to the socket of their can
dlesticks she would send for them that
they might see with their own eyes
which would go out first and that one
she would wed.
I'VE need not fear. Patience" said
Benediction. that thee will tamper
with the candles. because thee have
only to choose between us without
their deciding for you. Therefore we
may safely leave them in your care"
But" said Pardon. I'VE will come
in at the end. that he who is favored
own eyes,
Benediction went to the wood and
walked back and forth with his hands
clasped behind his back. sorely disturb
| ed by anxiety. During the long Pc
| Rod of his uncertainty there was no
suspense like this. Pardon went into
his library-there were but two books
| in it, the Bible and a copy of Shake
| speare's plays-and. taking up the lat
| ter. read few scenes from ''Othello."
| In this way each passed the time till be
| should be summoned to learn his fate
At last messenger came from the
widow that the candles were burning
| low, and each sutton repaired to the
neat kitchen of Dame Goodman. where
| they were burning. Benediction turn
| ed white at seeing that his candle was
| but half an inch long, while that Of
his rival was an inch Pardon's coun-
tenance did not change. but he cast a
glance aside at the widow.
| 1T is not meet" groaned Benedic-
| ton, that should remain longer
here, since it is certain that have
lost" He went out, the widow still
keeping her eyes fixed on the floor and
her hands clasped on her bosom.
| Then Pardon went to the table. look
ed first at one candle, then at the 9TH
er, and. seeing few tiny white grains
that had been spilled on the dark pol
ished wood. bent low to see what they
were.
| Wetting a finger. he put 1t on the
| grains and touched it to his tongue
he started. his face lighting up with
a look Of great happiness. Then he
went to the widow. who stood still
Dent, and put his arms about her.
while her head sank upon his breast.
The grains on the table were salt
Placed on q wick salt causes q candle
| 10 burn slower.