The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1917-02-09

L
length of the house before discovering
| the disconsolate householder sitting in
a round shouldered heap on broken
chair which decorated the back porch.
Hello, herew cried Wilson in a ring
ing, hearty voice. what are you up
to back here, should like to known
Wilson" said Ensign, partially un'
folding as he gripped the others hand,
II amt enjoyin' myself"
Wilson dropped on the edge Of the
porch and leaned against post. "Why
not?" he asked breezily. "Sick?"
"No," returned Ensign solemnly-"no,
not sick in my bones. only in my feel.
in'sv'
Wilson whistled. He was not accus-
toned to seeing his favorite relative In
this respondent condition.
what under the canopy is up?" he
demanded.
Everybody is"-Ensign's tone was
rueful-"that's the trouble. Everybody
is up right early attendin' to my af-
fairs"
A CLEAN Of understanding shot into
Wilson's eyes. cts Mrs. Grey" he
said simply.
Ensign nodded. Eyes. it's Lizzie
Grey"
He extended his feet to the edge Of
the porch and clasped his hands over
his vest, announcing darkly: Wilson.
there's goin' to be a big change here
shortly-a big change. There's got to
be. I'll leave it to you that there's
things man can't stand forever"
"For instance" prompted Wilson.
"Well, there's church. I've got to
give 1t up"
"You give up church," cried the 9th.
er in genuine surprise. "Why, uncle,
you'd be fish out of water Sundaysw'
Eyes, stree. I've stood churchgoin'
now as long as I can. I'll leave 1t to
you. set right back Of her. If look
at her the idiots up in the choir giggle
and say I can't keep my eyes off her.
If don't look at her they say daren't.
And either way I-well. you know how
my face gets, Wilson. and me ffty
years old"
Wilson nodded and refrained from
smiling.
''In Sunday school It's Just as bad.
Our classes are close together and fac
in each other, with a parcel Of pesky.
gigg'in' girls one side Of u.s.
There was a pause and long sigh.
Still Wilson faced his uncle soberly.
And back here home it's Just the
same with her across the road and
some neighbor or other at every door
and window around us, watchin' to
see what I'm up to. If set out In
front they tell me better not wear
another waitin' for me. If set back
here some one who hasn't got enough
business Of his own to attend to starts
the story that she's give me the nit
ten"
When he spoke again his tones were
Enthusiastically stubborn. "Ive made up
my mind. Wilson, to be quit of this
foolin'. I'll show folks that I'm not
gee-ed and hawed around as easy as
they think for. I'll give 'em somethin'
to talk about all their lives. I'll be
blamed if DON'T"
When his uncle first unfolded his
plan Wilson was amused. Later he be.
came alarmed. He argued and remon-
strated in vain. 'I'll be quit Of their
foolin, l WILL" was ell the reply he re-
ceived, and when the stage bore him
away in the afternoon he was pledged
to aid and abet his unhappy relative.
So quickly did he fulfill his pledge
that the week was not yet ended when
Ensign received Scranton daily with
an advertisement heavily marked in
blue pencil On the margin was scrib-
blcd, Have made inquiries and hea:
she is an estimable woman"
The advertisement read:
Wanted.-A position as housekeeper or
companion, by n competent woman with
good references. Address 2Ol Irving street.
Scranton, Pa.
Ensign studied the little paragraph as
he sat at the little table, his feet braced
against the wall beyond. "Housekeep-
er or companions" he unused aloud and
planted his foreinger on the latter
word. 1t had but one meaning for him.
Presently he uncovered the term and
looked at it thoughtfully. His face did
not express unalloyed joy. He arose
end gazed mournfnlly through the
closed blinds at the house opposite.
Mrs. Lizzie was on her way to the
barn, milk pail in hand.
Such a sudden hatred of that other
"estimable woman" arose in Ensign's
breast that he precipitately gathered
together pen, paper and ink before Mrs.
Lizzie's pleasant face should entirely
obscure the advertisement. 1t was pure
obstinacy which drove his pen as he
letter addressed to POI Irv-
ing street:
To Miss or Mrs. -:
Dear Madam-I notice an ad. In the
Scranton Press of some one there who
would keep house or become companion.
take the liberty at this time to make
known my wants. I have a house all fur
nished that would be glad to get wom-
an to keep and would take such one for
a companion II It was agreeable to both.
will be there tomorrow evening to see
II II would be.
When he arose the following morning