Mansfield mirror. (Mansfield, Wright County, Mo.) 1908-1957, 1914-06-18

an | o IKE her to be unhappy.
I'll givo"-hero the squire recovered
his self. Possession, for he was about
I'D give II thousand dollars TO any,
one who'd get Jack Worthson mar
ried to n 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 NEEDLE
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 n lodge meet
ing In the room over the store, Jack
Worthson suddenly appeared through
the little dark room which was the
C a entrance of the store and
startled the proprietor by reckoning
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 recog-
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. If
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 mutlled in a
veil that the squire's heart schcd anew
with a love he had tried to forget.
But to get rid of Jack Worthson.
"Bygones shall be bygones. young
man, I'm a square upand down man,
and when | set my foot down it stays
set. Join your right hands,"
The bride seemed to hesitate, but
the squire took her hand, placed 1t in
Jacks and said:
by authority placed in my hands
by the law of this state | pronounce
you man and wife, and whom God
hath joined together let no man put
asunder. An ! don't want any fee.
but | wish | dared to kiss the bride"
To the squire's surprise and delight
the bride threw her arms around him
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 1t 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
For the same reason he hur-
ried to the store next morning be-
Madge's time for arising. He
whistled cheerily all morning until
he was astonished by the appearance
Of Miss Lou in the store. After a
moment or two of silence he said:
Seems to me there's somethin' un.
usual about you this morn!n'. Oh, |
see-you hain't got your furs on"
no" was the reply in a matter.of-
TACT tone. Il lent them to Madge last
evening, for the trip she had to make
the city. Twas very cold"
"Wh.a-a-at?" The squire looked
at Miss LOUIS eyes, and Miss
lou looked calmly into his until the
mans hard face twitched n~ervously
md tears began to trickle down his
then Miss Leu turned her
lace and wiped something from her
eyes.
AN twas | that married emf
IN promised Jack that bygoncs should
De %bygones,"
"Thatll be the only way to eXHlain
t to other people. squire. unless you
yant to be laughed at"
But how did they manage 1t?
Twas sheer Mathematician hang me
( | don't believe you were the Witch"
AN offer of a thousand dollars will
,ut any woman to her business wits.
"A thousand dollars?-for helping
oh me Of my %daUghter?"
- mo. for doing Just what you said
getting Jack Worthson married to