The Meeker herald., 1913-02-15

ethsf young msa away and dsss nst
give MINIS . fair chance. OF course
she has no thought Of marrying yos.
70 1t Isn't right to waste her dine o.
you"
Joel stared with open mouth, bat TO
save his neck hs couldn't say . word
In reply. Aftes making several vain
attsmpts ~ walked Oh. On his way
home he turned aside and climbed the
fence to speak to Farmer Henderson,
working In his neld. Ninnis's father
had been posted and was waiting for
his opportunity. joel had stammefed
out that It was . hot day and that
corn seemed to b. looking up and that
be was afraid that one Of his cows
had the hollow horn, when Elisha
nnished hilhng up q hill Of corn and
slowly said:
"JoeI, they say that there's going to
be q heap Of Windmill and wire fence
men along here this fall. and II any
OF 'em want to board with mo for
week or two I shall take 'sm in"
"w-whyr' asked Joel.
sWeIi, there's Minnie, you know.
It's time she was thinking Of getting
married. Some Of those windmill fel-
lers are smarter than chain lightning
and well Oh to boot. I've always kind
er thought I'd like one Of them for
son-In-law."
"Mr. Henderson, began poor Joel.
but he had to halt at that Ths change
In the attitude Of the farmer and his
wife brought great fear to bis hart
and started chills up and down his
back.
"Nlinnie amt looking for husband.
you know. She don't have to do that.
but when the right Teller comes along
l guess 4 match will be made. A
piano agent the other day asked me II
she was engaged, and told him there
wasn't anybody around here food
enough. Yes, its party hot day. Joel.
and shouldn't wonder n tomorrow
would be hotter
Joel didn't do any work the rest OF
the afternoon. He simply sat and
thought. The result was that when
evening came he headed for the Hem
derson homestead. He was going to
zee Minnie and ind out what had hap
pened. 1t was Aunt Judith who was
at the gate when he came up. and she
didn't lost any time. saying:
Young man, guess you've heard
Of me. I'm Minnie's aunt Walk along
the road with me while talk to you.
You don't want to force yourself upon
a family where you are not wanted,
do your"
HAS something happenedr' he anx-
iously asked
"Well, Minnie's father and mother
have got their eyes open at last. Shs
has been praised 70 much that they
realize she can make good match.
don't care to tell yop what tho sewing
machine man said today. but you can
bet 1t was somsthing nice. You know
you hain't inst the sort Of man the
Hendsrsons want for . sou.in.law.
Minnie may Ike you In way. bat
wheA Il cosnas 70 real love tAats ~
s<Ase tAinE I'll was 49, ws@seAft
WAISTS any uneFs ttne heEe.s
~But I love MinnbeF hiurte1 oat
Joel. a. b was driven 70 dsspefat1sa.
.But II shs doo't love you WHIST ars
you going to do about IT. Better give
the thing right up and look for some
other girl. Going home, are You? Well.
good night. Try and think have told
you this for your own good"
Next day farmers little girl
brought Minnie note, and half an
hour inter receiving It she was down
In the hickory grove talking with Joel.
When she returned 10 the house she
looked pale and acted In q nervous
manner, but she was not Questioned.
Soon after supper she pleaded bead
ache and went to her room, and Aunt
p, Judith and Elisha and Hannah wink
ed Mt each other. At Q O'Clock the
house was quiet. At 10 Aunt Judith
entered the spare bedroom, where hus-
+, band and wife sat waiting, and said:
"Weil. it's over with. Joel came 10
the gate and whistled softly ten min
utes ago. and Minnie. who was ali
dressed, slipped downstairs and Joined
him. He had a buggy down by the
barnyard gate"
"And-and"- gasped the mother a.
she began to sob.
Hannah Henderson,, don't Be a
goose. They'll drive to the preachers
and be married and be back hero b.
fore the breakfast dishes are washed.
Joel's got = wife. Minnie's got q hus-
hand. and you've got son-in-law, ard
that's all there II to It"
Tks Hest In Lslss Gene.