The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1882-05-05

crept in among the raven locks of Farm
or RayneSford, the care-worn wrinkles
began to gather around his mouth and
brow. Alas! those swift-footcd years
brought troubles innumerable to the
kind old man.
Twenty years. unused he, one bright
June morning "it don't seem possible,
Hannah, that sit was twenty years ago
this very day that caught that ugly fall
from the hay-rack, and got lame for
life."
He looked down at the crutchcs by his
side rs he spoke, and sighed from the
very bottom of his heart.
Hannah stood in the doorway, tossing
corn to a forlorn little colony of chick
ems. Twenty years had not improved
her in any respect-she was gauntier.
bonner and more vinegar-faced than ev-
er.
"Yes." said she. slowly. land perhaps
you don't remember that it was just
twenty years ago to-day that you threw
$40 away on that woman and her child.
told you that you'd end your days in
the poor house, and don't see but what
my prediction is likely to come true
Didn't say you would live to repent
it?"
II won't deny, Hannah" said the old
man. "but that I've done good many
things, I've been sorry for-we amt
none of US perfect, you know, wife-but
that is not one of them. No, never for
minute repented being kind to the
widow and fatherless.
Hannah shrugged her shoulders but
made no reply.
Didn't you say You were going up to
see the rich lawyer about the five thou
sand dollars to-day?" she asked. pres
emily.
Eyes. but don't suppose il II be much
use. If he'd wait little, I'd do my
best to please him. Jones says he'll be
sure to sell the old place from over our
heads, however; they tell me he's hard
man. I mean to explain to him just how
the matter stands
II told you how it would be long
ago." calculated Hannah, unable to re-
strain her vexation. what on earth
ever possessed you to sign for Jesse
Fairweather?"
disposed he was honest man, and I
wouldn't see an old friend wronged."
"Fiddlesticksr' exclaimed Mrs. Raynes-
ford. That's just your calculation, Job!
There-Zeke has brought the wagon; do
start off or you'll be too late for the York
train"
And Job meekly obeyed, only too
happy to escape from the endless discord
of his wife's rolling tongue.
The rays of the MONDAY sun streamed
h,.;fr - 1xy fh,rD.,orh tho cfainaA class
ments of Mr.. Everleigh's gothic library.
The room was decorated with appurten-
ances of wealth and taste. Velvet
chairs, with tall backs of daintily carved
rosewood, were scattered here and there;
marble vases occupied inches beside the
doorway, and the rarest pictures hung
on the panelled and gilded wall. But
the prettiest object of all-the one which
the rich lawyer oftenest raised his eyes
from the writing to contemplate with an
involuntary smile of pride and affection
was lovely woman in a white CASH
mere morning robe, trimmed with vel
vet, who stood opposite arranging flow
ers in bouquet. She wore spray OF
berries, carved of pink Neapolitan coral,
at her throat, and tiny pendants of the
same rare stone in her shell-like ears,
and the slender waist was tied around
with pink ribbon.
"Thara Waltar isn't that prettvp"
she asked, holding up her completed
bouquet.
very pretty" he answered. looking
not at the roses or geraniums, but direct
ly at the blue eyes and golden curls OF
his beautiful young wife.
"You are not even noticing it." she
pouted.
Because see something so much
better worth looking at" he said, play
fully.
do you really love me so very much?"
she asked, throwing down the flowers
and coming around to his side.
He rose and drew her caressingly to-
ward him. ..
'.My dearest, you are more precious
to me than the whole world besides"
She let her head rest for a moment on
his shoulder, and when she raised it there
was a tear on her eyelashes.
"Oh, Walter, if mamma could only
see how happy we are"
There was knock at the door. Mrs.
Everleigh slipped from her husbands
arm with the prettiest blush in the
world, and was very busy with her flow.
ers when the rich lawyers fright hand
man" put his grizzled head into the
room.
1.-The old man wants to see you about
that Fairweather business"
"Show him in. Don't look so disap-
pointed, love-" he said, as the grizzled
head disappeared. Il shall not be de-
tanned three minutes, and the horses are
at the door,"
Mary Everleigh never troubled he'
pretty little head about business matters
so she never looked up as the hating
sound of old Mr.. Raynesford's crutcf
echoed on the carpet. But the instant
he spoke she started as If an arrow hac
smitten her, and her slender hands clasp
ed together, listening as intently a.
though her life depended on hearing ev
ery word. The old man was pleading
and sorrowful--her husband politely in
flexible. At length JOB Raynesfort
turned to go. -,
tone, IL don't know much about Law
and law books, but it does seem hare
that an old man should be turned out o
the home that has sheltered him for six
ty wears, and all for no fault of his own
they say you arc a very rich gentleman
sir: i've thousand dollars may seem ,
small sum 70 you, but it is my all"
Mrs. Everleigh's soft voice broke tn
momentary silence that succeeded thi
appeal.
want - pnsak 10 yoa." -