Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1873-12-30

pocK markeu'
Hannah" I" he steadied his voice and
said. "How is Hannah ?" as if the whole
party had been making alluson TO her.
Sister Jane colorcd up. ''DOnt Ia to
me about Hannah !" she said.
And they didn't talk. At that moment
Miss Simmons struck up u brilliant bra
vnra ON the piano. and when ii died. like
shower OF ky.rockets, Da"id Durham
took his leave.
The next day he hung about the wi
lnge, dropping in upon one or another
old acquaintance. Finally he stumbled
into the brimming household where Bet
sey presided. Belsey had settled in lite.
a. the sexton had said, settled like
building on i'll made ground. She had
been trim, shc had been sharp, model
woman, wilma flavor OF crab apple about
her; she had grown sIipshod and vim
egaiish. A devoted mother was Mrs.
Brtscy Jones, as Jane had pioHsIy IN
,imated. Qucrclously satisfied that she, At
least, Wa, doing her duty, and looking
out raini,y ON the rest q: the world. tx.
pecling it to share her burdens.
Il never 20 an!~ here, never y she
said. ..or nigh, have known You were
in town. Dear. dear. TO Ih.nk how time
does 20! Jlm"-turning to the eldest. -
bare lool. sun burned lad-'l bought
YOU WAS Ia run crrands this afternoon
for your Aunt Ilanuah. 1t is tIe only
way to keep EN- out OF my way she
added, land the least Hannah can do
Where 4, Imnah?' asked David nj
last.
LA! don't YOU know Why, to be
sure Why, Hannah always WAS odd,
YOU know. Jane offered her good
home. and / am sure had no end ol
OH Tor her; out shes dreadful set, is
Hannah. and shes
Married.
Bless You. 10, There's no chance lor
Hannah now, since she refused Jasper
Hendricks and Jane i, mortally offended
with her"
What lhcn?"
why, she, keeping shop down in the
village
l guess IL take \ turn down and see
her. said David. abruptly rs Jim sped
out ol The door, Go,iowed 10y u troop ol
smaller fry.
Here you. lin aud Joe, come back :!
cried the mother. ''lIannah'S main
particular aud techy. aud don't like T."
see too many ou en- ruand Daic foot"
However. the troop was of. aud II
Hannah had errandS for al, those nlmblc
feet, she must have been = busy woman
Jial. htchng up his trowsers aud hold
ing on TO his shred OF u hat. shot down
the quiet street and vanished At The
corner where the old pump stood
Jim p called David. "hOld on - Bit
I'm coming too"
Hurry up. lheu," said Jim. "iNe
got lots of chores 10 do, aud Aunt
Hannah
you ike your Aunt Hannah. do YOU
jim ?"
You may bet your lie on that" an
swercd jim, sentculiously. shes one
of the reg lars. she is, tell you! and jim
wound up his pleasing Information with
long. low whistle OF indefinite applause
Keeping the boy in sight. David pres
emily came in font of quiet, cozy little
shop with a great tree before it. In th'
miniature show window hung bright
array OF ribbons. over which The swaying
leaves cast flickering shadows; II pot d
geranium with scarlet blossoms glillere'
against the snowy curtain within. A
wholesome, wcl-swept. CHEEKY locking
place. David did not want any ribbons
! He couldn't decorate himself with mil
linery; but AS he looked within the door
way. and saw quiet little tgure III
pink dress and black silk apron. sewing
busily. his heart gave leap. lie wantei
TO kiss that little woman, who, all uncon
scious of.being seen, threaded her needl'
and hummed b!ithe song 10 herself.
A beautiful inner picture, as though h'
were looking through the depths oil
camera at some chastc image, ideal, SHIN
ing, out of his reach altogether. She
seemed to him lady in \ dream. apai
from the dusty ways of common lite
Yet she kept the little shop under th'
tree.
| do not think David would have ha'
courage to break the spell that seemed Il
separate him from his old friend, had no
jim, bursting in, announced his presence
"A quiet little woman" David hat
said; this did not seem very quIescen
parsonage, however, this flushed an'
remuleus somebody, like and yet n"
like the old Hannah, who came towards
him with eloquent eyes and hands out
stretched, crying, "DAve!' like note .
old. pathetic music.
All that was welcome. A. that NO
ment David thought it cheaply bought
with eight years of absence.
Hannah hustled about 10 get supper
she set out her little round tea table; sh'
laid the snowy cloth; she spread he'
little store of dainties: she poured hin
out fragrant cup OF tea; she hovere'
L-... L.. II. - n Aniinrnh bird chirninS