Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1914-03-26
why so?" asked Miss Lou.

We'll, | could talk business to a
man-if he was a woman. That is,
could talk business to woman-a
woman like you. mindif she had the
sense of man
Miss Louis eyes made the squire
mere worm under her feet as she re.
piled:
I've quite as much sense as any
man I've met in the last few min
utes. SO 60 ON with your business
talk"
Well" said the squire, "Margie's
all I've got in the world, Of human
kind, an she's the apple Of my eye,
an don't like her to be unhappy.
I'll give"-here the squire recovered
his self-possession, for he was about
to rise to the dignity of sacrifice,
I'D give Il thousand dollars to any
one who'd get Jack Worthson mar.
ried to nice girl and get him away
from this town"
I'm businesslike enough to see
something in that offer. Good morn
ing-but be careful not to meddle
with any of my plans" said Miss Lou
The next day Miss Lou, in her fur
cloak and cap, came again to the
store, and though she made a quick
purchase and went as quickly the
squire saw with delight that Jack
Worthson had accompanied her to the
door and was awaiting her exit.
He saw them together several times
afterward, and each time his heart
warmed. One night, when the store
remained open late. because the
squire was to attend lodge meet
ing In the room over the store, jack
Worthson suddenly appeared through
the little dark room which was the
rear entrance of the store and
startled the proprietor by beckoning
to him. The squire approached and
Jack said:
Il understand you want to get me
out Of this town, Mr. Burch. Well,
now's your chance" AS he spoke he
waved his hand toward something
which, despite the faint beams Of
light from the store, the squire recoS-
nized as Miss Lou in her furs. you've
married lots of couples; no license is
needed in this state, and We don't
want any fuss, anyhow; we simply
want to get married and away. II
you're willing to let bygones be by
cones now is your chance"
The eXpectant bride looked SO
pretty, though her head dropped mod.
estly and her face was mufiled In
veil that the sQuire's heart ached anew
with a love he had tried to forget.
But TO get rid OF Jack Worthson!
"Rygoncs shall be bygones, young
man I'm a square up-and-down man,
and when l set my foot down 1t stays
set. Join your right hands,"
The bride seemed to hesitate, bul
the squire took her hand, placed it in
Jacks and said:
by authority placed in my hand
by the law of this state | pronounc"
you man and wife, and whom Goa
hath joined together let no man pu.
asunder. An l don't want any fee,
but wish | dared to kiss the bride"
To the souire's surprise and delight
the bride threw her arms around hi.h
and kissed him several times-through
the veil.
Just in time to catch the train for
the city" said Jack and the couple
hurried away.
The squire was glad Of the lodge
meeting, for it would keep him from
home till long after Madge's bed
time, SO he would not have to re
proach himself on seeing her patient
face. For the same reason he hur-
ried to the store next morning be
fore Madges time for arising. lie
whistled cheerily all morning until
he was astonished by the appearance
of Miss Lou in the store. After
moment or two Of silence he said:
Seems to me there's somethin' un-
usual about you this mornin'. on,
see-you haint got your furs on"
NO" was the reply In matter-of'
fact tone, Il lent them to Madge last
evening, for the trip she had to make
to the city. Twas very cold"
"Wh-a-a-at?" The squire looked
fiercely at Miss LOUIS eyes, and Miss
Lou looked calmly into his until the
mans hard face twitched nervously
and tears began to trickle down his
cheeks; then Miss Lou turned her
face and wiped something from her
own eyes.
AN twas | that married 'em!-
an promised Jack that bygones should
be bygones!"
"Thatl be the only way to explain
it to other people, squire, unless you
want to be laughed at"
But how did they manage 1t?
Twas sheer witchcraft-an' hang me
if | don't believe you were the witch'
IAN offer of a thousand dollars will
put any woman to her business wits,
squire"
"A thousand dollars?-for helping
rob me of my daughter"
mo, for doing just what you said
getting Jack Worthson married to
a nice girl and getting him out of
this town. But I'll call the bargain
off if you'll call Jack back and Madge
with him. For"-here Miss Lou pre-
tended to be demure, though her eyes
danced, Il do so miss my furs!"
Copyright by Daily Story Pub. Coz
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