Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1880-01-29

fingers to the bone you couldn't repay
me. You haven't any claims on me now;
you are big and strong enough to work
for yourself. I wouldn't have turned
you out when you were little and help
less, but I've done my duty by you
now"
| Polly stemmed the torrent of words.
cit is not necessary to say anything
more, aunt, " she said in a clear voice;
II will CO."
The next morning was clear and cold.
The stubble sparkled with million
frosty diamonds when Polly crossed the
fields on her way to church; some hardy
little English sparrows were chipping
thanks that the snow had not yet covered
the bits Of scattered grain which remain
ed for them, and Polly's heavy heart
grew lighter as she watched them cheeri-
~ picking and finding sustenance in the
barren field.
"Behold the fowls of the mir; for
they SOW not, neither do they reap, nor
gather into barns; yet your heavenly
Father feedeth them. Are ye not much
better than they?"
These words of comfort coming into
her mind warmed her cold heart, and
with light step she obeyed the sweet,
silvery invitation of the church bells, A
holy calm fell on her spirits as she enter
ed the peaceful little church, and walk
ing up the dim aisle she took her seat
where the crimson light from a stained
glass window fell athwart her pallid face.
The words " outcast, orphan, homeless, -"
had been ringing in her brain with a
dull, maddening repetition all night, but
now, as the deep tones of the organ rang
out in glad thanksgiving to the Giver Of
all good things, Polly felt herself up
lifted, for the moment, above the misera-
BILE annoyances of her life; and when she
glanced at Melissa, looking pretty and
fresh in her feathers and silk, she felt al
most thankful for her, that she possessed
the love of great and noble soul. Polly
led the choir, and when the minister's
ear caught the sweet, clear tones, in
which there was no guile, he also thank
ed God.
With the inconsistency Of human
emotions Polly's mind wandered several
times during the service to the pumpkin
pies on the shelf at home. This was be-
fore the sermon. When once she felt the
magnetism of his voice she listened SPELL
bound until it ceased. She never wept,
as those around her sometimes did at
some touching recital. She sat notion
less, with dilated eyes, and almost held
her breath until he had finished. To-day
she kept saying to herself: "The last
time! The last time When next he
speaks here God knows where I shall
bel"
Once the minister caught the express
sion of the wild brown eyes, and there
was such misery in them that for mo-
ment he lost his self-possession.
After church Polly hurried home to
set the table, and the minister followed
with Melissa, whom for reasons of her
own, Miss Phoebe had also invited to
dinner.
At dinner Melissa vas placed next the
minister and Polly opposite, a small
handmade being behind for the occasion
to wait on the table. Polly could not
help thinking what handsome couple
they would make, as she glanced from
his strong, dark head and brilliant blue
eyes, to Meissa's cold, clear-cut face,
and graceful figure, draped in rich black
silk. Polys face was flushed from
bending over the stove, and her hands
trembled with excitement.
She did not know at what moment her
aunt would come out with something
about yesterdays performance, and
Polly felt that before all the assembled
relatives, and especially before the min
lister and his betrothed, she could not
endure it. But Miss Phoebe seemed in a
particular good humor, and her acrid
face dissolved itself into something ap-
preaching smile.
Once Melissa, smiling at Polly, said:
81 have heard you were a good cook,
but had no idea you were so accom-
plished."
"Polly didn't make anything but the
pumpkin pies,'' Aunt Phoebe answered,
smiling grimly, and she ordered the maid
to bring them on.
81 can testify that they are everything
that pumpkin pies should be-" said the
minister, with a laughing glance which
caused Polly's face to blaze, caused Me-
issa to give hera cold, suspicious look, and
made Aunt Phoebe draw down the cor.
ners of her mouth in very significant
way.
, In the hurry of the morning Polly had
neglected tasting her pies, and with some
anxiety she watched her neighbor, q
farmer cousin, cut his piece. He took
one enormous mouthful of the yellow
luscious-looking stuff, then seized his
glass of milk and gulped it down. HI
set his glass down with an exclamation
and very WY face. To her dismay
Polly saw everyone down the table dc
the same thing. Crimsoning, she glanced
futively over at the minister; he anc
Melissa were talking and toying will
their forks, but neither of them were
eating.
Aunt Phoebe waited till there wal
painful silence about the board, then ex
ecuted her next flank movement
Sarah," she said, turning to the girl
bring the cake off the dresser" Whe1
large, beautifully Drowned plum-cak'
was set before her she said suavely t,
her guests: :'This cake, my friends
was made by Melssa's pretty hands, an.
[ do not think you will find it seasoned
with pepper and vinegar, as my poor
high-tempered Polly seasoned her pies.
It had flashed through Polly's head
what, perhaps, she had done; but to hav
it insinuated that she did it on purpos
was too much, and with choke in he
throat, which she was afraid would breal
out in sob, Polly left the room.
Miss Phoebe had never loved her OF
phan niece; nay, more, she had Away
disiked her; but since the advent of tn
minister in the village society she ha
seemed to hate her with all the venom G
: an embittered nature. She had fed an
clothed her since infancy because she ha
promised her dying brother she would d
SO, and "duty' was Miss Phebe's watch
word. The little lonely thing had wo
no place in her heart, because from til
very first it had turned from her and Gale
her ugly and cross. Miss Phoebe asser
ed, upon what foundation was question,
, BILE, that but for this encumbrance ST
: would now be the wife of wealth
: farmer in neighboring county.
So all that had been done for Il
! child had heon dono or,,1oipo1v h,