The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1916-01-14

- AnAAu. ~ was pam IA n
pikestaf that hat man Henshaw
was making up to Sister Abby
Abby, who had never before toler-
ated anybody's counting.
He must have bewitched her.
That's all the way I can account
for it." she confded, almost weep
ing, to the professor upon Satur-
day afternoon. Something ought
to be done about it. It's ridiculous
at her time of life. I don't under
stand it a bit"
"No, but it may be the cooking.
DR.. Henshaw's a good man, but not
wholly above earth," the professor
comforted wisely. Besides, I can
quite understand. A mans loneli-
ness is something dreadful. He has
just about had time to find out how
much he misses his wife. In that
he is worse off than I, who have
been lonely so many years. Hon
estly, now, dear Miss Jane, n-if l
found myself greatly attracted by a
most superior woman of suitable
age do you think l should have any
chances"
you'll have to find out for your
self. One woman never knows
about another" Miss Jane retorted,
but with a blush that would have
done credit to Minerva.
The professor took her hand.
"But suppose it is not another?" he
asked; Suppose p! I dare raise my
If Miss Jane had felt what was
coming the sudden certainty Of it
overwhelmed her. For the first and
last time she tainted outright, and
most gracefully Notwithstanding her
$50 pounds, upon the professors
shoulder.
Minerva came running to them,
exclaiming anxiously: "Fetch, DR..
Bell! And keep Aunt Abby away!''
Afternoon service was just about
to begin. In the stir and confusion
of getting the crowd inside the
church it was easy to mask Miss
James faint as something else.
ooh, I-I-turned my ankle?' she
herself said, shifting the salts Sister
Brown held under her nostrils.
"Then we must take you straight
home," the professor said as one in
authority, looking into her eyes
while he nodded toward Minerva
and her sweetheart.
Miss Jane began to say family,
"Abby-where is she?" But Sister
Brown checked her with a signif-
cant smile.
"Don't you worry about Miss
Abby" she said. Gust let them
put you in the barouche and go
along. DR.. Henshaw II see to it
your sister gets home all right"
Then DR.. Bell exploded. When
he could speak for laughing he said,
wringing Miss James hand heartily
and beaming on the professor:
aIt has worked splendily. Get
home, all of you. I'll tell Abby ev-
erything and make her likewise tell
me-"
"What has worked?" Miss Jane
demanded, suddenly forgetting her
turned ankle and stamping her foot.
The doctor looked quizzically from
her to Minerva, then On to the pro-
fessor and young Lee, whence his
eyes wandered to Miss Abby and her
prize, Just now coming up to them.
"My organized epidemic" he said,
with another great laugh, "of matri-
mony, to be sure. 1t hurt my feel
inps to see three fine wives going to
waste"
For once Miss Jane had ne word
ready. The professor was likewise
silent. But young Lee spoke up
manfully:
"You were exactly right, doctor,
and no man could have done a bet
ter deed"
$50 / can say Bless you, my chill
dren!' all. round?" the doctor
queried. 4.
Young Lees eyes twinkled. "sure
thing" he said. "You see, DR.. Hen
shaw begged me to fix things with
Minerva SO Miss Abby would have
no excuse to make him wait"
"She didn't think Of me, / sup
pose" Miss Jane said, signing. The
others smiled. Sister Brown spoke
for all Of them. mo; she didn't
forget you," she said. "But all Of
us have seen how it would be these
last three days."
No Firsisss Men.
Theoretically there must have