Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1917-01-04

He knows somethin's wrong, but he
can't tell what 1t Isl
Hepsey had almost forgotten her or
rand; but now that her work was done
It came back to her with sudden force
30 puokering up her lips and scrowl
ing severely at the carpet, she began:
1.-THE fact is Jonathan, didn't
come over here to dust the parlor o,
to jolly you. I've come to have a con.
fidential talk with you about q mat.
ter of great Importance"
"what is 1t Hepsey?"
"Matrimony.'
| Jonathan started eagerly, and color
ed with self-conscious embarrassment,
and after clearing his throat nervous.
| ly inquired
"Did you think Of contemplatln'
matrimony again Hepsey?-though
this amt leap year."
II, contemplate matrimony? Oh,
land of Gideon, no. It's about some one
else. Don't get scared. I'm no kidnap.
peri"
well, who is. 1t them, Jonathan
inquired, with a touch of disappoint-
ment.
my adopted SON"
you don't say! pve heard rumors
about Maxwell and Virginia Bascom;
but I didn't take no stock in 'em,
KNOWN Virginia"
virginia hasn't nothin' to do with
It,"
"well. who has then, for lands
sake!"
Il don't know the girls name; but
l saw her picture on his mantelpiece
yesterday mornin', and I've had my
suspicious for some time.'
"Well, l suppose his marryin' amt
none of our business anyway, be itr'
Eyes, it Is our business; II he's 60
in to get married, the rectory's got
to be fixed over a whole lot fore it's
fit to live in. You know the Senior
Warden wont lift his finger, and you
have got to help me do it.''
Jonathan sighed profoundly, kno'y-
ing from past experience that Hep
sey's word carried more weight than
all the vestry.'
SuppoSe I've, IL yOu ony oo,
Hepsey."
"Yes sir, you've got to help me do
it. No decent girl in goin' into that
house as it is, with my consent. It's
the worst old rat trap ever saw. I've
got the key, and I'm going through II
this afternoon, and then Pm going TO
plan what ought to be done.'
But it seems to me you're ventur-
in some. You don't know they're go
in' to be married"
mo, but all the symptoms poin.
that way, and we've got to be pre-
pared for it."
But the people round town seem 20
think that Virginia has first mort
gage on the rector already"
mo doubt she thinks she has; but
it amt true. He's made blunder,
though, not announcin his engage
ment, and I'm goin' to tell him so the
first chance 1 get. l don't see why
over the town, but if he don't an
nounce his engagement before long
Virginia Bascom'll make an awful row
when he does"
Eyes, and to the best of my know
ledge and belief this'll be her fifth
row.
well, you meet me at the rectory
at two o'clock sharp"
But we ought to consult the ves-
try first" the Junior Warden caa
toned her.
What for, I'd like to know?"
"Cause they are the trustees of the
property"
"Then why don't they tend to the
property? The vestry are lot Of"
"Sh! Hepsey, be careful. I'll be
there, Pll be there"
Mrs. Burke rose and started for tho
door; but Jonathan called out to her:
"Hepsey, can't you stay to dinner?
I'd like awful we'll to have you. 1t
would seem so nice and homelike to
see you sittin opposite me at the ta-
ble."
Am I to consider this proposal,
OF marriage Jonathan?"
"Well, hadn't thought of It in that
light; but if you would, I'd be mights
thankful"
But Hepsey was beating her retreat.
Jonathan stood for minute or two
| in the middle of the room and looked
very sober. Slowly he took off his
coat and put on his dressing gown.
| Then he sat down, and cautiously put
his feet in another chair. Next he
lighted cigar-gazing abaut the
room as if his late wife might appear
at any moment as an avenginC deity,
and drag him into the kitchen where
he belonged. But nothing happened,
and he began to feel realization #
his independence. He sat and thought
for long time, and mighty hunger
OF the heart overwhelmed him. Before
e knew it tear or two had fallen on
the immaculate carpet; and then, sud.
denly recollecting himself, he stood
| uD, saving to himsclf-such iS the con-