Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1881-07-07

natured faee-a look Miss Pauline did
not quite understand.
Miss Keziah'll be wise to make nc
promises, said Mrs. Bliss. at stands
TO reason that she won't succeed where
all the rest ot us have failed. One
might as well talk TO stone as to Mrs.
Denton
Miss Kezlah sighed and bent her
eyes upon her work. She had known
what suffering was once, and she knew
that while sorrow and pain softens
some natures, it hardens and embitters
others.
Mrs. Denton lived entirely alone on
the outskirts of the village, little, old,
weather. beaten house she had bought
when she first came to Brierviile, ten
years before. Weeds grew tall and
rank in the yard, the sunken steps
leading to the door were half buried in
vines the well-curb was broken, the
gate fallen to the ground, in fact, ev-
erything about the place spoke of ruin
and decay.
Not a very cheerful place, certainly,
muttered Miss Keziah, as the day fol-
lowing the meeting of the sewing cir
Gle, she drove up to the widow Den
tons, and hitched her horse to the
tumble down fence which partially en-
closed the yard. Now, Hetty, you sit
right still till come back, and don't
start old Moll.
Hetty was a diminutive niece of Miss
Keziah's, a golden haired, bluereyed
child of six years of age, who had been
left to her aunt as the sole legacy of an
only sister.
Miss Keziah walked up the grass
grown path, and knocked boldly on
Mrs. Dentons door.
Before her knuckles had fairly left
it, the door was flung open by Mrs.
Denton herself, who stood silently re-
garding her visitor, with an expression
of resentment and Indignation.
How dye do, Mrs, Denton? I'm
Miss Keziah Fletcher. Perhaps you've
heard tell of me before. l was at
Helmstone a considerable spell, and
since I've got back I've been laid by
with the rheumatic, or Id have called
before. | came to see if you would
take tea at my house tonight. i'll
make it comfortable, and it will be a
sort of O. change for you.
Mrs. Denton made no reply. She
stood staring at her visitor as if she
had not heard her words Then her
eyes wandered to the gate, and fell at
last upon the spring wagon and it's
small occupant, whose golden curls
were escaping from the close calico
sun bonnet which shielded her pretty
face from the MONDAY sun.
is that your child? she asked, ab-
ruptly, but without taking her gaze
from Hetty. There was hungry,
yearning look in her eyes as she spoke,
tremor in her voice.
Land sakes! No indeed!' calculated
Miss Keziah, with virtuous horror in
her tone. 4 never was married. The
only man I ever cared a straw for was
drowned at sea, and those that cared
for me was mostly mercenary in their
views. Hetty's my sister James child.
Jane she died at Helmstone some six
months ago. Come, won't you jump
in the wagon and 60 with me? I didn't
low to be disappointed in havin' you
to tea, so l made all ready for you.
Yes, Ill come said Mrs Denton,
Withdrawing her gaze from Hetty, who
was grasping the relns with ludicrous
earnestness, as if the steadiness of old
Moll depended entirely upon her.
She went into the house and put on
an old fashioned straw bonnet and a
faded black merino shawl. Then she
walked down the path and climbed in
to the wagon after Miss Kezlah, with
out muttering word.
You forgot to lock your door,, said
the careful spinster, as she took the
reins from Hetty's little hands.
A bitter smile curled Mrs. Denton's
lips,
Inever lock it,, She said, there is
nothing in it'worth stealing
The two women logged along the
quiet country road, with the child be-
tween them, Miss Keziah talking on
different subjects in her kind, sensible,
whole e-hearted way. She did not al
lude to her visitors sorrows, nor did
she mention the visits paid to the lone
ly cottage by other members of the
sewing circle.
A man took the horse when they
reached Miss Keziahs farm, which was
q mile from the centre of the town,
and one of the finest in the country. 1t
was we'll cultivated, we'll stocked with
fruits of various kinds, and it's build
ings were all comfortable and roomy,
the house itself being built of stone, in
a substantial, old fashioned manner.
Miss Keziah led the way into her
sitting room, and helped her visitor
take off her bonnet and shawl.
Have this easy chair, Mrs. Denton,
she said with great cordiality, and
make yourself to home. I've got to
see to supper, but I guess Hetty can
amuse you spell. Hetty, mind you're
good while I'm gone.
She left the room and was absent