The Taney County republican. (Forsyth, Mo.) 1895-1992, 1919-01-09

4
Mirandy smiled at the subtle COM
pllment In a style Seth dubbed "prit-
~"
"Why, It's from the government"
Mirandy exclaimed as she took the
envelope with It's franklng privilege
stamp. Anything official frightened
her, but perhaps II was woman's In
tuitlve premonItion which fOretold the
bad news her face so patiently reflect
ed. ut says Seth" she muttered, "it
says you got to set--yOu got to get an
auto II you want TO keep y'r job"
And so to meet the governments
changes for efficiency went Seth's en-
tire savings. And though the new SyS,
TEN augmented his salary, he soon
found that the price Of gasoline ran
higher than that of oats,
It was again summer In Carrolton.
MlrOndy was very happy this morning,
for had not the wedding date been set
just six months off1 Six months is n
very short time when one has been
waiting nigh on twenty years.
"Mornln', Mandy"
"MornIn', Seth. Any mail for me-"
"Nothin' 'cept the county newspa-
per-" and then with a mock air Of sur
prise, II declare. why here's a letter
for you" just as If he had not nearly
yielded TO the temptation to open It
ever since It had been placed In his
mail sack at six O'Clock that morning,
"a letter for mew echoed Mlrandy,
But Mlrandy's astoniShment at get
ting a letter did not equal her amaze
ment as she read its contents, On
the lCttcrhead Of an attorney, II ran:
"Your uncle, Ezekiel Barrett, has
died inteState. As sole surviving
heir you are entitled to the $500 lie
has left. Our solicitor will visit you
shortly to secure the necessary sigma
ture."
Then Mirandy did a thing unheard
Of, She kissed Seth, I'VE Cun get
married right Oft nOw," she gurgled,
"get married, Seth, don't you hearT
For Seth was already chugChugglng
down the road, AIirandy stared at
the letter.
The next morning the customary ex'
change of greetings was omitted as
Mirandy abruptly nSkcd, Now we got
the money, won't you want to be get.
tin marrledT
Seth looked up as he rolled a stone
with the toe Of his boot. His answer
came hesitGtingly. Cant you see,
Mandy, II was to marry you now,
withoz' ~. s4st ~ own, folks1l be
sayin' ! was mnrryin' you for y'r
money"
"Have you got n mind?' Mlrnndy
asked sarcHstIcally Seth stood
aghast. This was their final quarrel.
Then one morning Seth did not find
Mlrandy at the gate. She was sick.
The doctor had ordered an alarming
array Of pills and medicines and al
though Seth faithfully sat Mt her bed
side every evening, Mirandy refused
to get we'll. Seth went about like a
shadow Of his former self. Never be
fore had he realized just how very
much Mirandy meant In his life, And
then came the relapse Nflrandy was
dying. The doctor confessed he could
do nothing. Seth sat By the bed and
held the worn hands In his own warty,
calloused ones. What could he dof
oh, II he could snvc her
MANDY" he called suddenly, "let's
get married"
Mirnndy stirred. II heard the doc
telln' YOU" came in weak, faraway
voice, that be dyin'."
Tears unchecked traced grimy
routes down Seth's tanned cheeks
Mlrandy went on, "Follis'll think II
you married me now you'll be wantin'
to Inherit my money"
ooh, Mandy" Seth choked, "what
do we care bout folks round hercf
want to tend you like husband
while y're here"
Mlrandy turned over nt the unusual
sentlmentnlity Of Seth's speech. "Al
right, Seth, then we'll get married.
she answered with q smile.
And Mirandy seemed to improve al
once. Perhaps 1t was Seth's husband
Iy care, or perhaps 1t was just some
thing else, but Mirandy got well with
surprising rapldity.
II was hfter the wedding. Miran
dy, seated on the arm Of Seth's chair
nervously Strengthened the edge Of tht
lace dolly pinned on the coarse, horse
hair upholsterlng.
II got a confession to make" sh'
said.
Seth looked up and took the clal
pipe from his mouth. He thought In
twenty years he had learned every
thing In Aiirandy's life.
81 wusu't dyin' that time, Seth," sh'
smiled, "the doc helped TO make = se'
you needed me. was just actin up
Seth"
And then Seth did thing uhheart
Of. He kissed Mirandy.
|
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