The Andrew County Republican. [volume] (Savannah, Mo.) 1871-1876, 1875-04-23

and did not wonder at the neglected
food.
"Show me where things are and l will
get the supper" she said.
Jane led her from closet TO closet. In
one was a set of gilt-edged china, some
fine table linen, table silver and glass.
Those were bought thirty years ago."
Jane whispered, 'when Mr.. Franklin
expected to be married. She died and
they've never been used"
With her pretty face saddened by the
hidden tragedy OF those few words, Mar
garct took Il small tray from the shelf,
and covering it with Il SNOWY napkin,
selected. what she wanted from the closet,
and went again to the kitchen.
James Franklin, weary with the effort
to hold q book III his aching hands, was
now sitting ina deep armchair musing
when Margaret tapped at tn" door.
Come in"
BIT he started rs she obeyed. Such Il
sweet, bright face was new Ill the dismal
old farmhouse, strongly in contrast with
the bare, meager room and desolate AIR
surrounding her.
Il have brought your supper" she
said, drawing Il little table near to the
armchair and covering it with a white
cloth. Then, going 70 the door, she
entered again with a tray. Upon a white
china dish was half a chicken, delicately
Drowned, Il potato roasted i'll the ashes,
and a slice of buttered toast and be-
side this a delicate exp full OF fragrant
tea.
"You must not scoId if 1 have my
think wrong" said a clear, sweet voice,
because Aunt Jane Is too busy to look
after me. | cleaned the fork and spoon,
for silver gets drcadfully black"-then
more tenderly, as she marked the pain
FIJI effort to 10Y the tortured finger
Let me cUt the chicken, sir
Grimly wondering, the old nail suf-
fered himself to be fed, finding appetite
as the well-prepared food was eaten, and
listening well pleased 70 the CHEEKY voice
SO unfamiliar i'll his lonely lie.
Jane" Margaret said, setting down
the tray in the kitchen again, II don't
wonder he is sick. No carpet, no cur
ta;us, that great hearse Of a bed, and
nothing pretty near him
Its all cican," said Jane.
"Clcan as wax, but oh, So dolcful.
Can't We fix up a coSey ROOM
There's rooms enough. Six on that
floor" said Jane, land none used hut
the one Mr. Franklin'8 IN, and Nh. Rob
ert's, the little one next TO it."
well, we'll see tomorrow. Can [
have Il man to send to town,if / want
anYthing!'
There's men enough. VIII you
sleep down here tonight, or Ill on" of
the rooms upstairs"
Clown here, III the room next yours"
Its all ready. I'll go up now and
make Mr.. Franklin comfortable for the
night"
'Comfortable." Margaret said, shiv
ering.
But the next morning, after putting a
tempting breakfast before the invalid,
Margaret selected the vacant bedroom
she meant to beautify for his use. It
was large, with four windows, light and
cheerful, and we'll suited to her purpose.
In the intervals of directing Jane, send
ing the man to town with her orders,
and giving her own dainty touch to every
thing, Margaret visited the invalid, read
ing to him, chatting with him, and max
ing the long hours fly by. 1t wis late
in the afternoon when she came in to say:
"Mr. Franklin, the room across the
hall has n southern exposure, and | think
you will find it more comfortable than
this one. VIII you try to get there if
Aunt Jane and | help you:'
I'm very well here"
but you Will be better there. Please
come"
SO he yielded, but once fairly il the
room, could net raFress It cry OF amaze
ment. Softly-carpeted, differentiated, !
a bright fire cracking in the stove, a
dainty supper spread upon the table, the
room was cosey and CHEEKY enough to
coax a smile from the grimmest lips.
Yet, when James Franklin sank into