The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1916-02-10
The Queen
OF Sheba
She Finally Became Part Of
a Betrothal Feast
By dARlSSA MACKIE

window as Jonas Wilton turned into
the path that led to the shipyard
Behind him walked large gray
goose.
Fanny Lee hates that goose a>
bitter as I do and maybe worse, but
she'll pertend she likes it just to get
around him. Widders is cunning
crittersl 1 shan't sacrifice my prin,
ciples to please no man-not even
Jonas Wilton. I'll always stand by
what I've said-al a goose is fit. for
is to roast and serve with apple
sauce!" Susan Tipping sat and
brooded resentfully over a disturbed
past in which Jonas Wilton had re-
peatedly asked her to become his
wife, and she had as repeatedly re-
fused as long as tae Objectionable
goose waddled in the background.
When Jonas Wilton faced his
housekeeper across the supper table
that night excitement was written
on his bronzed face and in his shin,
ing eyes 'I've got a surprise fol-
you, Miss Tipping" he said myste-
riously as he stirred his tea-"a sur
prise thatn lift you clean out Of
yuur shoes, ma'amp
1oTell me, too," purred the Widow
Lees deep voice from the doorway
Miss Tipping brought a napkin
from the sideboard and resumed her
seat with flourish of lilac colored
skirts.
GIVE left the yard" announced
Mr.. Wilton dramatically.
The two women stared at him.
"What's the matter?' gasped Su-
san at last.
"1'm going away" explained Jo-
mas carelessly. "I've shipped on the
Blue Heron with Captain Rink. We
are going to China; we won't be
back for year."
you'll be dreadful seasick. You
have never been to sea in your Life, y
faltered Susan.
Fiddle" said Fanny Lee sharp
ly. "He won't be sick. Hes sailed
q skiff on the bay ever since he was
a boy. Amt you, captain p
Jonas blushed at the newly con-
ferred title and turned a beaming
eye on the widow. ''There amt but
one thing worries me" he confded
hesitantly.
whats that:" she asked shyly.
Queen O Sheba-she's got to
stay behind. Captain Rink, he says
he can't accommodate no goose. .
Jonas shifted uneasily as CLEAN in
Susan's blue eyes denoted that she
understood the captains objection.
It was a relief to turn to the Wild
ow Lees sympathetic face and meet
her smile of perfect understanding.
''That there goose has been like
like az floundered Jonas pathet-
icaly.
"Iike a dear friend. | know what
it is to part with ones dearest and
never set eyes on 'em again. When
Robert passed away Fanny Lee
choked down a rising sob and press.
ed the fringed napkin to her eyes.
Mr.. Wilton looked uncomfortable.
81 hope Queen O Sheba will be all
right when l get home," he said.
with a furtive glance at Susan's
clouded face.
II shan't take care of the critter,' >
said Miss Tipping decidedly as she
prepared to clear the table. '1ps
bound to follow some one around
town. l won't be dogged by nc
goosen'
It was tragic moment for Susan
Tipping, and her tone was bitter. II
Fanny Lee assumed the care OF
Queen of Sheba it meant that the
breach between Jonas and his house.
keeper would be irreparable.
The Widow Lee arose to the occa-
sion which had been made for her
"I'll take care Of the poor critter
JONAS" she said softly. She can
run around my orchard, and some.
times I'll take her for a walk, same
as you did"
"'Birds of a feather" foated
acidly from Susan's compressed lips
as she disappeared in the kitchen
and closed the door behind her.
Shortly afterward Susan heard
the Widow Lee and Jonas Wilton
leave the house by the side door and
90 around to the shed where Queen
of Sheba lived in solitary splendor.
"Good night, Susan" J" called Fan
ny sweetly. "We're going to take
Queen O. Sheba home~
"Good night" said Susan, quite
B