The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1878-04-04

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warn't Joe. So you see what I've come
to-jest Twin round from pillar to post.
a-tendin' other folks children, when !
might a had sons and daughters of my
own. Dear, dear! gals is dreadful
foolish. If they would only larn by
other folks troubles! But they don't,
and they won't as long as the Lord
keeps one on them on the footstool.
Annie, be you asleep?''
"No indeed, auntie. / have heard
every word. l guess every one alr ost
has days they wish they could live
over"
Likely; but go to sleep. You'll be
white as skim milk in tie mornin'.''
Miss Antiss put out the light, got into
bed, and lying motionless, breathing
hard and regularly, soon was not sur
prised to hear a low sobbing and feel
the shaking of the bed by the. efforts
Annie made to suppress her tears.
Il guess l can see through s. mill
stone eff there's hole in it," said Aunt
Ann to herself. "Now eff l can only
ketch that air Harry Jacksonr'
''Hew is your hay, Jacob?'' Miss
Antiss inquired, as her nephew was
slowing her bundles away under the
chaise seat the next morning.
"Only middlin'. 1 must go up to
Jackson's and find out something more
about that new grass seed when have
time. To-day mother and me arc go
ing to the Ferry. Come again, Aunt
Ann, soon. This amt nothing but a
call"
Sitting very erect, holding the reins
high and wide apart. while keeping u
sharp eye on the old horse, Miss Antiss
logged homeward. Presently she saw,
coming down the road, toward her, a
broad-shOuldered, handsome young
man, riding his black horse very care.
lessly, for the reins lay loose on his
neck, and the rider was apparently in
a brown-study. A sudden impulse
made Miss Antiss call "Whoar' and
Jennie, always ready, for that request,
stood still. She was in for it now, she
thought, as the young man raised his
hat and checked his horse.
Good-day, Henry. How's your
mother?''
Every well, Miss Antiss. She was
wondering the other day, why you have
not been to see us in so long,"
GIVE been away''-briefly. BE
you pressed for time?''- suddenly.
"No, not at all. Can be Of any
| service?''
IL dun no about service, but wish
you would ride on to Ford's to see him.
He's dreadful worried bout his hay,
and was comm over to see you bout
that new-fangled grass seed, but don't
believe he'll git round to it to-day. 1t
would ease his mind wonderful
81 will go, Miss tiss''-looking a
little graver than before. Good
morning. and he rode on.
There, Ann Antiss, do you suppose
the Lord will ever forgive you that lie?
Jacobs most to the Ferry by this time.
But I'll resk this one. If they'll only
happen to git a-talkin', Annie I'll re-
member what 1 toll her last night.
She's a good forgivin' gal, too. When
| git home I'll look up that receipt for
weddin' cake. feel it in my bones
like enough we'll be a-wantin' it afore
long"
Meanwhile Harry jackson rode on,
but so slowly that it was nearly noon
before he tied his horse in front of the
Fords' gate. Knocking on tho door
with his whip, he stood thinking, half
in pain, half in anger, of the last time
he had stood there with Annie; but he
was proud fellow. and, biting his lip,
looked stern and Indifferent enough
when the door was opened, and Annie,
her hands full of roses, stood before
him. They both started, and Annie
dropped half her flowers.
''Good-morning, Miss Ford. Isyour
father at home?''
and sound of his voice when his heart
was beating so wildly in his throat ut
the sight of Annie's sweet face, now
crimson with bushes.
"Yes. Will you walk in ?-that is to
say, Mo- mean But Annie could
get no farther. She covered her face
with her trembling fingers, and burst
into tears.
"Why, what does this mean?' Com
ing into the hall and shutting the door,
Harry stood before Annie in the gloom
of the hall. 6 am very sorry if the
sight of me is so unpleasant it forces
you to cry so bitterly. Sit down here''
drawing a chair up, and leaning
dangerously near the pretty ripping
hair and slight trembling figure.
Harry--Mr. Jackson must ex-
plain something now while / have the
opportunity. + never received your
note inviting me to the picnic till a
whole week ;fterward. Sam carried il
in his pocket all that time.''
A hi a I.
reason you went with Morgan, and
never sent me single word as an ex.
cuse. 1t made me think very HARD
things of you, Annie. But why didn't
you tell me when we met at the Lanes
party?"
"Becausc-because you looked anC
acted as if you did not care, and l did
not want you to think that / did,
"Ah, but did care, and l have no
had a really happy moment since,
have been so miserable. Annie, dea1
one, will you forgive me?'' kneelins
down to draw the little fingers away
from the tear. stained face. .Look a
me. love, and tell me you will take IN,
back again, and I'll bless every wrinkl,
in Aunt AIMS face the longest day
live.''
Young Mrs. Jackson, with very be
coming flush on her bright face, wa
entertaining Miss Ann Antiss for tn
first time at her new home. All tn,
glory of paint and paper the old home
stead had received. all the new furni
ture, had been exhibited and admired
before the two sat down in the prett,
east room, gay with the tasteful ar
,, rangement Of wedding presents tina
Annie called her own, when suddenly
young Mrs. jackson startled Mis-
Antiss into dropping whole row o
,, knitting by saying:
"Aunt Ann. how did it happen tina
Harry came to the farm that mornin.
just after you had gone away, and how
did it happen that he had yom to bles
for sending him there?'
"Oh, as for that" said Aunt Ann
! leaning back and beginning to rocl
! very hard" he toll you, did he? Well
. he might have ken it to himself