Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1923-12-26
Sinpering
Miss Towpe
By JOHN PALMER
20. 1928. Western Newspaper Union

NVS), l0x3, w estern Newspaper Unton.)
HANSON, the bank president, wal
~ bachelor of fifty. He congratu
lated himself on the ease with which
he had escaped matrimony all his life
There was not much danger Of his fall.
Ing Into the trap now. No woman
could seriously pretend to care for q
stout, bald. rubicund gentleman Of his
own age.
And yet he did not like the way Miss
Towpe looked at him.
Miss Towpe was a thin, acidulous
old maid. Miss Towpe had gray hair
thinly brushed back. Miss Towpe was
sentimental when she was not acidu-
lous. Miss Towpe was fifty, at least.
The thought of marrying Miss
Towpe filed Hanson with horror. But
why did he think of it at all? Sim
ply because of the way Miss Towpe
looked at him; the way she simpered.
And it was not Imagination. 9th
ers noticed it, too
That old maids setting her cap at
YOU" said a friend
I'D rather be buried deep in the
soil than marry Miss Towpe," said
Hanson.
"Old maids are the devil said his
friend irrelevantly. "By the way,
Hanson, we've taken up the last Of
those Rogers notes?"
Yes, we're clear now" said Hanson.
'lf Rogers had lived he'd have bust
ed u.s. Ii was the luckiest thing that
could have happened, his stepping over
that cliff in the dark. He hated you,
Hanson"
Hanson nodded and went home. He
met Miss Towpe on the street and she
simpered at him. For the first time
it occurred to Hanson chat Miss ToWpe
was becoming nuisance. He Won
dered why she slmpered They were
the barest acquaintances. Miss
ToWpes cottage was near the cliff
and once they had got into conversa-
ton when Hanson was taking a stroll
that way. That was how the acquaint-
ance had begun.
He had just finished dinner that eve
ming and Lit his cigar when ring
came at the front door The maid
came in.
Miss Towpe to see you. SIR" she
said.
Hanson emitted snort of disgust.
Tell her l can't-Oh, show her in.
Mary"
Miss Towpe came in simpering. sit
down, Miss Towpe," said Hanson.
What can l do for your He hated
her shipper: it was so very personal.
'Mr. Hanson" said Miss Towpe.
quite in conversational way, Il think
l ought to tell you that l saw you
push Mr.. Rogers over the cliff last
summer"
Hanson felt as if he had been cleo
trocuted. He stared blindly at Miss
Towpe's simpering features, and cold
hand seemed to clutch his heart.
Il was out for little stroll to enjoy
the night air. saw him meet you.
| heard you two quarreling over the
notes; then he turned away, and you
gave him that push. IL didn't know
what to do about it,"
It's n lie" said Hanson heavily,
it?"
81 ought to do my duty" said Miss
Towpe, simpering.
It's lie, and if you push me too
far III have you arrested, but I'd pay
thousand dollars blackmail to avoid
the worry of it,"
"Oh, | couldn't" said Miss Towpe,
simperng. You know, I've always
liked you, Mr.. Hanson. l feel so sor-
ry for YOU"
"What dyou want to keep your
mouth closed?"
ct would be quite closed if you
were to marry me, Mr.. Hanson sim
pered Miss Towpe. "A wife can't give
evidence against her husband in this
state, and I've always been fond of
YOU. And l should so much like to
be married, Mr. Hanson
'"And if | refuse?"
"Then | must do my duty" Simpered
Miss Towpe. My conscience gives me
no rest, Mr.. Hanson"
Rather than marry you" said Han
son, I'D give myself up to the police"
you must please youself," simpered
Miss Towpe.
With a sudden access of furious
despair Hanson reached for the tele-
phone. He placed his hand on the re-
ceiver Wild thoughts were whirrinS
through his mind He hesitated. He
looked up at Miss Towpe.
Miss Towpe was still simpering