The Meeker herald., 1918-02-02
A Willful
Woman
By OSCAR COX

that John OrhIltree. II Young fnrinr.
living In the county of Kent. met II
lass called Mnry Grlggs nj II Mnyihr
and conceived a strong love f"r her
He danced will, her around the May
pole and looked at her inn.ulsliinr
~. but his modesiy AMI tile strength
Of his love tied Ills tongue Nj that he
could say nothing to her.
And 80 he danced and OgiCd and
/ oged and danced. but never n word
could he say to the girl.
Mary had been keeping company
with Richard Doyle. a maker Of nrmor.
hut the moment he laid eyes OIL John
Ochiltree Doyle saw that she WIS lost
To him In favor Of his rival. He drew
away sulky. thus leaving the drld to
the man who had suppinntcd him.
The day after the MayinG John
waited for Mary to come ont II her
fathers thatcl,ed cottnge and Joined
her. He managed to wish her good
morning" aud said that the crops
promised to he good and That one OF
his COWS had calved. but besides this
spirit and would not help him out. She
said to herself that he should talk to
her like any other man or she would
have none Of him. He continued to
show her by his expression that he
wns enamorcd Of her. and when he
looked at her his eyes had a melan-
choly expression.
Now. as soon Ms John got away from
her his tongue was UNLOCKED. and he
could say what he liked He told his
mother Of bis trouble and convinced
her that II was Impossible that he
should tell Mary his love and ask her
TO mnrry him.
Then" said his mother. MARY must
propose to You"
"she will never do that" sighed
John
"She must lie made to. My son
wishes her for wife. and he must
have her. Besides. Mary Is n good
girl and will have good dowry. !
wish her for a daughtcr.in.law. I
have made up my mind that. since You
are unable to nsk Mary to Ike your
wife. she shall claim yon for her hus
band
And how will you do that. motherT'
Never mind. 30 that ! do It. We
women have to get through the world
by exercising our wits. We are not
men. to force our way. 20 We have to
plan"
Things went from bad to worse he
tween John and Mary. Determined 10
force. him to declare himself. she en-
conraged her former sutton. This
made John III. and SO great was his
ailing that his mother feared he would
die. She went to Mary and. telling
her Of Johns condition and the cause.
begged her to do that which was ex-
pected OF the sterner sex-ask John to
he her husband. Mary vowed that she
would be no mans wife who had not
the. courage to ask her. and. though
John might die. she would not do his
part for him.
Not long after this a sheep belonging
to neishbor was found In John Ochil-
trees fold John was arrested for
sleep stealing and thrown into prison.
The lad has lost his mind for love Of
YOU" said Johns mother to Mary. The
lass was secretly troubled. but tossed
her head and said that a man who was
afraid Of girl had no mind to lose.
John was tried and convicted and
sentenced TO Ike hanged.
Then Mary began to regret that she
had refused to be persuaded. But 1t
was now too late. She had driven
John into insanity. for she believed
what his mother said. or she had unin-
tcntionally bewitched him 80 that be
Ind stolen sheep. She sat at home
mourning her sad fate at loving man
so defective. Johns mother brought
II request from her son that Mary
would he present ut his execution,
Mary declared that she could not en-
dnre such sight and would not 20.
But she was ut last persuaded to grant
this last boon to a man she was now
persuaded she had driven to the scat
fold. and on the morning Of the hang
ing she went there with her lovers
mother.
A crowd was gathered around the
culprit. John. with the rope around
his neck. had assembled few steps OF
the ladder. He stopped and. seeing
Mary below. sud to her:
Mary. save me-
How can do that. John?"
1T IL the law that II one about to be
executed be claimed In marriage by
any woman he shall go free"
lis thar 500" Mary asked of the
sheriff.
IF you claim this man In marriage
dare not hang him."
"Ob. Mary" cried John. have mercy
on me"
Save him." whispered the cnlprit's
mother.
Mary besitated. NO" she said at
last: "let him hang"
John staggered. then seemed reliev-
ed. He climbed nimbly up the other
rungs OF the ladder and the sheriff
| waa nhnut to swing him Oh when