Judith Gap journal. [volume] (Judith Gap, Mont.) 1908-19??, 1913-11-21

"MrS Skinner villa, will she S:syT'
..lt's none of her business Say yes.
Mary I'll pay you anything YOU like"
She raised he, heuti Il little proudly.
"Of course | will ask you no more than
any one else she began. hut he
broke in gladly:
(Which il.:lnS that you will cUme
Thank you. Mary
All the way home Job Tanner was
contrasting the coy little house be had
lust left with his Owp spacious but
lonely abode Meanwhile Mrs. Clemens
was assuring herself that she was re-
garded by her :ate caller only In the
light of Il capable servant
She went to her field OF labor ear)y
on the Monday morning before Thanks
giving Sally was warm adnirer OF
Mrs Clemens and helped in her usual
careless fashion. All things for which
Mary asked were provided. even to
box VI cut flowers from neighbOring
city.
Thanksgiving morning dawned. gray
and overcast About 3 o'clock Job en-.
tered the house FROM the harm.
Miss Clemens. she said for you to
come in the dinin' room and see how
things looked" was Sally's greeting
When he opened the door he stood
speechless The old room, was trans
formed into bower of beauty The
bay window was filed with evergreens
and adorned with yellow chrysanthe.
NUNS and silver ieaved begonias from
Mary's home. The quaint old mahOg.
any sideboard was tilled with choice
bits Of china and silver. quivering
mOlds of amber jelly, massive sill
yer cake basket filled with slices OF
rich. dark fruit cake and a bowl OF
scarlet carnations The long table was
spread with tine linen and ornamented
with smilax and roses On a low vine
druped stand between the side win
dows was pyramid Of apples. oranges
and bananas
1T all looks good enough to eat
And SO do yon." he went on. noting
her well fitting brown bingham dress.
white apron and pink ribbon at her
throat 'Alary. you make my home
paradise Stay here as my wife,"
She grew very pnle. Twice she es-
saved to speak. but the words died on
her lips 1t was not until he came
nearer that she found her voice
mo. no You ask me because you
are sorry for me and your home il lone
~ cannot be your wife on these
terms"
II do not see why you cannot. I
will be good to you. Mary"
She smiled. although her lips quiv.
cred pjteonsly. II know you would.
Job There is something else"
Mot another MANI
"Oh no Please don't ask any more"
II have a right to know. You must
tell me why you cannot be- my wife"
There was y grave dignity in his
voice that she could not gainsay. She
must tell him the truth
because | love you. Job Tanner.
Nay. do not interrupt lne You would
indeed be good to me. but ! know too
we'll the result Of union where the
love Is all on one side. and SO ! will
not be your wife. Now. not word
more on the subject. | have outraged
my sense OF womanly pride. but you
made me speak" And before he could
taken refuge in the kitchen
The guests began to arrive in short
time Job had no opportunity for an
other word with Mrs Clemens. One
fact was plain to him-Mary had re.
fused him
Dinner over. there was an hour OF So
cial intercourse Then the guests de
parted When job re-entered the house
after seeing the last load drive off. he
found Sally washing the dishes
where is Mrs Clemens. Sally?" he
asked
Sally paused. dishcloth in one hand
and half washed plate III the other
"Where. indeed:' H.. recognized the
tone as one that marked The height Of
Sally's displeaSrre. "Sh"> gone home
driv off by that sister Of yourn
, Hump! I'd jest like I" give Abigail
!. Skinner piece of my mind come
right near dom 1t. hut Miss Clemens
+ the lamb she begged me to keep still.
\ little skiIlful questioning put Jot
2 in possession Of the facts Mrs. Skin
2 ner had entered the kitchen and plain
~ expressed to Mrs Clemens the sur
I prise and Indignation Of the famil!
D concerning the Widows presence.
! ''Said MS how they were all sayin' a
how she was a-throwin' Of herself 2
n your head" Sally went on. "Mar.
J. Clemens wouldn't marry you nohow
e III she would you'd be bigger foe
It than you air now not to take her"
n dob did not tarry for any NOR
l. words Pulling his hat we'll down owe
! his eyes. he opened the door and set u
g toward the Clemens cottage.
Upon reaching the home of Mr..
y Clemens he walked III without knocl
I ing. The lamp was lighted. and Mar
was in the sitting room. She spran
y up. hastily wiping her eyes.
II know all about it. Mary" he b.
;" gan. There is not word Of truth
k,ir nx, NI,.>,