Claiborne guardian. [volume] (Homer, La.) 1877-188?, 1879-09-17

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in a neat, quiet way, that was per
feet bliss to old Mrs. Clements
ears.
"She's determined to earn her
bread, anyhow, aud | like her turn,
too
And the deacon had "taken n
shine" to Mary Smith. One by one
the days wore on; the hog killing
was over and done; long strings of
sausages hung in fantastic rings,
arranged by Mary's deft fingers;
sweet hams and shoulders were
piled away in true hOusewifely man.
ner, and now Mary and Mrs. Glen.
ents were sitting in the sunny din.
ing room, darning, patching and
mending.
81 don't know what | am going
to do without YOU, Mary. dread
to see you pick mp your clothes.7
a blush of pleasure overspread
Mary's face.
IL am so glad you have been snit.
ed with my work. Indeed | have
tried
at amt the work altogether,
though goodness knows, you're the
smartest gal I've seen this many u
day. AS | say, it amt the work,
it's you, Mary-me and the dea.
con-"
Mary's voice trembled at the
kindness of the old lady's voice,
but she sewed rapidly on.
"lt's so uncommon lonesome
since the boy left the farm she
went on: "but it's worse since he
got married. 1t seems like desert
ing ns altogether
"Have you n soni You never
mentioned Him.
"No, George has gone his way,
and we must go ours. Yes, he mar.
ried one of those crack headed
boarding. school people, who cant
tell the difference between rolling.
pin and a milk pam
But despite her scorn. Mrs. Elem.
cnts dashed off the tears with her
brown fist.
ais his wife pretty' 1 suppose
YOU love her dearlyT
II don't know anything about
her, and never want to know. He
left us for her, and us old folks will
leave him for her, too. Mary. Just
turn them cakes around; seems as
if they're burning
When Mary had turned the cakes,
Mrs. Clements was leaning on the
arm of her chair.
"Mary, supposin' you stop with
us another month yet, anyhow.
The deacon will make it all right
at isn't the money | care for.
Mrs. Clements. only wish |
might stay always. You don't know
how much | love you.'
Glove us. do you! Bless your
heart. If poor George had only
picked You ont, what "a comfort it
would be to us all! But it can't be
helped now
She sighed YEARLY, then glanced
out of the window, looked a mo.
mcnt and then threw down her
work.
"Bless my sonl if there amt my
son George coming mp the lane!
Deacon. deacon! George is coming.7
With all her nother,love rushing
to her heart she hurried out to meet
him. Oh, the welcoming, the re-
proaches, the caresses, the determi.
nation To love still, despite poor.
innocent, little Marion! Then, when
the table had been set in the next
room bv Mary's deft fingers, and
she had returned to her "west gar.
ret" Mrs. Clements opened her
heart.
"Therc's no use talkin' George,
this fine, fancy lady o yours'll never
suit me. Give me smart girl like
Mary Smith, and I'll ask no more.
Come in to supper now. Mary,
Nary
She raised her voice to call the
girl, when low voice near sur.
prised her.
"Oh, you dressed up in honor of
my boy! Well, 1 must confess |
never knew you had such a hand.
some dress, and you look like a
picture with your net of, and them
short, bobbing curls! George, this
is Mary Smith, my"
George came through the door
and glanced carelessly at the corn
or where the young woman stood.
Then, with cry, sprang with ont
arms to meet the little |
figure that sprang into them. The
deacon and Mrs. Clements now
stood in speechless amazemen..
Then Marion. all bushes and tear.