The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1881-07-02

tne OUTSKIRTS OF the village, IN a little,
old, weather-beatenh house she had bought
when she first came to Brierville, 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, everything about
the house spoke of ruin and decay.
Not very cheerful place, certain
ly, muttered Miss Keziah, as the day
following the meeting of the sewing cir
Gle, she drove up to the Widow Denton's,
and bltched her horse to the tumble
down fence which partially enclosed the
yard. NOW, Hetty, you sit right still
till come back, and don't start old
Mol"
Hetty was diminutive niece of Miss
keziah's, a golden-haired, blue-eyed
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.
Denton's door.
Before her knuckles had fairly left it,
the door was flung open by Mrs. Denton
herself, who stood silently regarding her
visitor, with an expression of resentment
and Indignation.
How dye do, Miss Denton? I'm
Miss Keziah Fletcher. Perhaps you've
heard of me before. Twas at Helmstone
a considerable spell, an since [ got back
I've been laid by with the rheumatis' j,
OF I'd have called before. I've come to
see if you'd take tea at my house to-
night. I'll make you comfortable, an
it'll be a sort o change to 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 oc-
cupant, whose golden curls were escap-
ing from the close %calico bonnet
which sheltered her pretty face from the
MONDAY sun.
els that your child ?" she asked, alb
ruptly, but without taking her gaze from
Hetty. There was hungry, yearning
look in her eyes as she spoke. tremor in
her voice.
LAND sakesl No indeedp' calculated
Miss Keziah, with virtuous horror in
her tone. q never was married. The
only man / ever cared straw for was
drowned at sea, and those that cared for
me were mostly mercenary in their
views. Hetty's my sister James child.
Jane she died at Helmstone some six
months back. Come, won't you Jump
III the wagon and go with me? [ didn't
allow to be disapp'in tinted in havin' you
come to tea, and SO | made all ready for
you"
eyes, I'll come" said Mrs. Denton,
withdrawing her gaze from Hetty, who
was grasping the reins with ludicrous
earnestness, as if the steadiness of old
Mol depended entirely oD her.
She went into the house and put on an
old-fashioned w-bonnet and a faded
black meiino shawl. Then he walked
down the path and clambered into the
wagon after Miss Keziah without uttering
a single word.
"You forgot to lock your door," said
the careful spinster, as she took the
reins from Hetty's hands.
A bitter smile curled on Mrs. Den
toms lip.
81 never lock it, she said; i" there is
nothing in the house worth stealing"
The two women logged along the quiet
country road, with the child between
them, Miss Keziah talking on different
subjects in her kind, sensible, whole
hearted way. She did not allude to her
visitors SORROWS, nor did she mention
the visits paid to the lonely cottage by
other members of the sewing circle.
A man took the horse when they
reached Miss Keziah's farm, which was
mile from the centre of the town, and
one of the finest IN the country. 1t was
| well cultivated, well stocked with fruit
of various kinds, and its buildings were
all comfortable and roomv, the house it.
self being built of stone, in substantial,
old-fashiOned manner.
Miss Keziah led the way into her sit
ting-room, and helped her visitor take
off her bonnet and shawl
"Have this easy chair, Miss Denton, -
she said with great cordiality, "and
| make yourself to home. I've got to see
to supper, but [ guess Hetty kin amuse
You spell. Hetty, mind you're good
while I'm gone.
| She left the room and was absent near
| ly half an hour. When she returned
Mrs. Denton had Hetty on her lap and
was telling her a fairy story. The first
smile the poor woman's face had worn
! for nearly a year, rushed ON it as she
looked up at Miss Keziah's entrance and
said: "She reminds me so much of my
little Bertha. You can't tell the good it
does me just to hold her in my arms
they have been empty so long"
A deep sigh followed tie words.
"Im glad she hasn't bothered you, ~
said Miss Keziah, cheerfully. "But
now, come in to tea. guess your pref
! to nigh famished awaitin' for 1T. "
sumptuous repast was in readiness.
Broiled chicken, cold ham, light biscuit,
apple, grape, and pumpkin pie, dough
nuts, pound cake and cookies, COMPOSED
the bill of fare, concluding with every
variety of sweetmeat and condiment, 'pre-
serves, pickles, honey, and cheese. Miss
keziah could not have arranged better
feast had she been expecting bishop to
tea instead of a poor widow whose stony
heart she wished to soften
With a cordial smile the spinster mo-
toned her guest to a seat, and, after
putting Hetty in a chair. sat down her
self at the head of the table and rever-
entity asked blessing. 81 didn't put
up as many kinds of preserves as usual
this year." she observed as. she helped
Mrs. Denton to plum jelly. I amt the
woman [ used to be by long way.
Rheumatic do lay holt on body so
I'm in bed or on clutches half my time.
[ calkerlate I'll have to give up the farm
if | don't mend. | did lot on having
Jane here to manage everything for me;
but poor thing, the fever carried her of
all at once, jest as she'd got free O that
onary husband o hers. I'd hate to give
III thonoh. lane and me WIS hnth