The Delta independent., 1915-01-08
A LITTLE STRATEGY
BY DONALD ALLEN.

why. Susan. am surprised!"
Il don't see why, Amanda"
You have been a widow for three
years"
Yes"
You are only thirty-eight years
old"
That's ALL"
And you own this house and lots
of money in the bank"
"Well?"
We'll. when you tell me that there
is no man shining up to you l must
wonder what sort of male popula-
ton you have got around here"
1t was Mrs. Amanda Baker. a mar.
ried sister. who had come on a visit
to the Widow Spicer
Nothing more was said on the sub
ject until two or three days later.
Susie. who is Mr.. Atkinson?" Mrs
Baker asked one evening.
why. he keeps a dry goods store.
Yes. l know. I was In there. He
is fine-looking man.
"Yes?"
Something tells me he is a wild
over"
Il believe So"
You believe so? Why. you know
he is. Do you do your shopping
there?"
Sometimes"
What kind of housekeeper has he
got?"
An old maid sister. older than he
is"
And I'll bet she can't cook for
shucks. and she makes his bed with
a .widower that needs the care of a
good wife"
81 think he could have his pick
among half a dozen"
But you don't size him up right
He is bashful and dlfident I'll bet
his wife had to do the proposing. He
realizes the need OF wife. but that
he must go through the courtship
again scares him to death"
THE poor mani"
Something tells me. sister. that he
has thought of you"
IF he has he has kept very quiet
about IT."
Il told you re was bashful When
he proposes 1t will be very sudden
and through excitement. My Peter
is just such a man."
Sister" asked the widow. what
are you driving att"
Il want you to do as tell you From
$50 to this evening you will be In
your boat just below the foot bridge"
"well?"
IF anyone falls on the bridge res
cue him"
But how can anyone"
You never mind that. but do as
tell you. There Is such . thing as
diplomacy. but you are too big goose
to practice It. Get the saw and leave
It at the front door. and don't you
attempt to spy on me and see What
use make Of It."
It was In vain that the widow be-
seeched further information. but she
stuck to her promise to be on the river
with the boat. Her sister took up the
saw and made OF as soon as dusk
descended. and where she went or
what she did was only to be guessed
at
At six o'clock footsteps were heard
on the bridge. So was something
else-a crash-a yell and splash. and
next moment the boatman was crying
out:
Catch hold of the skin and I will
tow you ashorei'
When the shore was reached there
stood Mrs. Baker, who took a sharp
look at the wet and scared man.
Who you got here?" she asked.
Mr.. Saxon. the cooper"
You old fool. why did you inter
fere," was exclaimed. You get along
with you or I'll throw you back to
drownt'
for explanations. The sister was still
silent and sulky when a knock came
at the door. and in walked Mr.. Atkin-
son. He was much excited. and he
stammered as he addressed the widow
"If I hadn't been detained ten min.
utes | should have been the one to
go through the bridge. / cannot swim
a stroke. but you would have been
there to save me. / want to thank
you just as II you had saved me.
and"
And the elder sister sneaked out of
the room.
Copyright. 1914. by the Mcclure Newspa-
per Syndcatc)