The daily Alaskan., 1913-11-17

l wildly around, ana l cOnIesS InaC l was startled Only Maria knitted on calmly, uncOncernedly.
 "Why, what was that?" I asked
 What was whatT asked Maria in a surprised sort of way.
 Mrs. ROwelI sat up, and sparks fash cd from her eyes in all directions. Her rather hooked nose almost appeared to meet her sharp upcurying chin.
 q thought I heard something" she said, still smiling.
 q heard q tree toad outside in the lilock bush. ma'am," said the captain innocently.
 "Go on with your story, Het1e," urged Maria.
 I'm rather upset" confessed the widow, after a moments hesitation. ''I kinder thought it sounded like the warning voice of Henry Powell. Henry was a very jealous husband, though he had no cause to be-" she added hastily.
 Most husbands are jealous of their handsome wives" said the captain gal lantly.
 The widow slmpered sweetly at him. "YOu are q case, Barnabas Fish!" she chided archIy. q was asking you if you would stand up with Ananias Wednesday, be his best man| ---..r
 "Pallbearerw crooked the hollow voice.
 Will yOu?" persisted the widow, but her face was pale.
 "Of course" said the captain in a hearty voice 'I'lI stand by the bride groom"
 "Corpser rattled the hollow voice.
 But the widow was undaunted as yet. She had set her heart on surpris- Ing Quince Harbor by her unexpected wedding to the porter In the bank, and she was not to be frightened out of 1t by the spiritual warnings of a dead and gone spouse or a tree toad, but the widow had leanings toward spiritual. ism. It was a cult that attracted her romantic nature.
 "We will drive around after you and Maria" went on the widow doggedly. Were going to have Al MuTay's hack"-
 "Hearsew lnterpolated the hollow voice.
 And I've bought the wedding ring
 "Casketw came the interruption.
 "Ah-h-h-h-h-h-hT screeched the Wid- ow Powell, and she went at once Into violent mysteries.
 Maria and l flew around, applying remedies to her nose, while the cap tain tlptoed out to the kitchen stair way that led to the loft overhead, and I heard his deep voice rumbling. Some times 1t was broken by chuckles and again by another voice disagreeably high pitched.
 At last the widow came 10, looking yelIower than ever, but there was a new light In her shifty eyes. They bazed with excitement, and her toll worn hands trembled.
 Maria" said she sOlemnly, i've had a warning. shan't marry Ananias- not yet. maybe not at all. I'll wait and you'll bear In mind that when It happens you aud Barnabas Fl stand up with us just the same"-
 "PaIlbearers" came in a hoarse whis- per.
 Mrs. ROweIl trembled, but her wide smile did not relax. It was fixed as though painted there.
 You see, Maria and Barnabas and bIisa Telham," she said almost pathet- icaay. Including all three in a swift zigzag glance, Tm considerable shook up now, and I want to study up on this spirit business before go ahead
 "Cheer up. Hettie," said the captain grasping her LQnd warmly. By next June you and Ananias will be signing papers and setting sail on a pleasant sen of-er-matrimOny!
 "MaybeT' The widows tone was enig- matic As she opened the door to de- part she added in her customary man. ner: I'm glad I didn't announce 1t to any one else, and l guess I'll go home and stir up some cornmeal griddle- cakes for Mir. Sline's breakfast. I've got to do something to make up to him for bis disappointment"
 And a mans heart being by way of his stomach, why, you're taking the right track" approved Maria.
 When we were alone Maria fixed her bright eyes on her husbands twinklins blue ones.
 How long has Ananias been up in the kitchen loft?" she asked.
 Since before dinner" answered the captain. "He came all a-tremble, say ing he'd hang himself if he wasn't saved, and I didn't know what to do about it. It so happened the widow came, in tonight, and guess Ananias' feelings got the best of him, and he jest naturally figured out course for himself and sailed into safe harbor. He's gone back to the widder's now, feeling pretty secure that she won't marty him yet awhile.
 By the way, Maria," he added, "An- anias says he found a punldn pie and pitcher of lemonade up in the loft, and he et 'em up. wonder how they came up there?"
 q took lem up myself after dinner"