Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1879-02-13

- SosotA - 90 6tOWu " US c0tu q VOiC
that Ruth did not recognize.
Good Mrs. James replied with som
warmth, for Ruth was favorite will
! her: "Oh, / do not think SO. If sh,
was only fixed up like the other girl
she would be pretty enough. There
isn't girl here that is nicer thar
Ruth, but it don't show we'll becaus,
she does it up in such tight knot
She is one Of the best girls in th,
countr, 'Tisn't many who woull
stay at home rs she does, or take sucl
care of JAMIE" aud the good woman
tanned herself energetically.
Well, that may be-" said the firs
speaker, but ! guess she amt muct
at housekeeping. Folks do say Their
house looks awful" Then lowering
her voice, but still speaking loud
enough for Ruth to hear, she went on
81 wouldn't be at all surprised if Mr.
Weston got housekreper one Of
these, days. He's talking about build
ing new house, and I've seen him
riding by Joe Munson's pretty often
lately. Mrs. Munson's sister. Widow
Blake, wants husband pretty bad
and she would take Mr.. Weston and
jump at the chance, If he has got a
honseful of children. / don't think
but it would be good thing, for she
lisa great worker, if she is an endless
talker."
The woman paused for breath, and
Mrs. James replied: "Stuff and non
sense! l don't believe word of it !
Mrs. Blake may set her cap for him if
she likes, but little good it will do her,
4 can tell you"
Ruth heard no more. The women
passed on unconscious of listener.
and as soon as they were out of sight.
she gathered the sleeping child in her
arms, and. with fleet steps and wildly
beating heart, started homeward. It
was over mile that she had to walk.
but she thought not of that, nor what
a burden sturdy little jamie was. even
to her strong young arms. Arrived
at home, she laid the sleeping child on
his bed, and surveyed the room. with
newIy,opened eyes. Then she kindled
q fire and brought water from the
well. While il was heating, she took
the broom and carefully swept down
every spider-web, then washed the
curtainless windows, and lastly scrub.
ed the floor. All the time she repeated
to herself over and over, at must not
be. it shall not bel" Then she went
to chest that stood in one corner.
and brought out the white muslin
curtains, that had been long folded
away because they added greatly to
the washing-Ruth's greatest bug.
bear-and hung them before the now
shining windows.
BY this time she could see, the wag-
OBS just driving out OF the little grove
where the picnic was held, and she
began to prepare supper. She was
calmer now, but still she worked with
energy, resolutely putting aside the
fatigue she felt, and by the time her
father and the children reached home
(they had stayed behind the rest to
search for Ruth and jamie, for no one
had observed their fight, dainty
tea awaited them. To Kitty's eager
questions she only replied that jamie
was tired and sleepy, and she thought
best to bring him home. The father
noticed the improvements, and gave
q quick glance at Ruth's flushed face.
before he said Chow nice you have
made everything look. You must be
very tired" After tea he babe Kitty
''see that she washed all the dishes
while Ruthie rested" and Ruth felt
her heart grow little lighter, and
determined that home should become
50 pleasant a place that her father
should not think of marrying. It was
the first time that the thought had
formed itself into words, and she was
obliged to run away by herself that
none might see the tears that would
fall.
One evening, shortly after this. her
father left his work rather early, and
dressed himself with unusual care
Ruth saw Tom bring horse already
saddled to the gate, and could scarce.
~ conceal her agitation. At last she
timidly sad: care you going away,
father ?"
"Only to Munson's. The farmers
Club meets there this evening"" was.
his careless reply. Then he suddenly
added "Wouldn't you like to 90.
too? Get your bonnet, and / will
have Tom harness the horses"
Ruth gave half amused glance at
her dress, and answered: "Thank
you, father. l don't care to 90 this
time, and besides it would make Won
very late"
"Well, goodbye, them" and he
was of.
Ruth was in distress. True. he
was only going to the club. bnt Mrs.
Blake would be there, and Ruth al.
most hated the widows bright eyes
and sp-ightly conversation, and she
thought OF the effect they might have
upon her father.
"He got letter from his sister last
week ; she is coming out to stay with
US a SPELL" 1t was Mrs. James who
said this. She was sitting in the
coy little rocker that had been Ruth's
mothers, holding diminutive bundle
Of pink calico and yellow flannel
while jamie hing about her. gazing
with wonder at the round, bald head
and queer little features at one end of
said bundle.
Mrs. James turned the baby around
aud began trotting il vigorously AZ
she went on: Did I ever tell Won
about Margaret NoP Well it's
kinder strange that / didn't, SEEM as
she is the only sister be. ever had
Mrs. James referred to her husband
whenever she used the masculine bro.
noun in this way. you see she's an
old maid, must be nearly thirty. She
has always taken care Of her mother.
who was sick more than ten wears.
The old lady died last winter. and
Margaret's left alone. His brother
John lives about forty miles from the
OLD place, and she has been With them
all the spring. They are rich folks. and
between you and me, Johns wife is
the proudest piece you ever saw
L.