The Osceola times., 1884-09-06

savagcly, as ne looks AT tne piie ol goous
he has hauled down, all for nothing.
Then he looks at Masjory and remem-
bers the sad face.
"Oh, it's you, is it? well, don't need
anything to-day"
But as he was turning away, an i'm
ploring voice, i'm which the tears were
struggling to be heard, interrupted
him.
."It isn't cards this time, but a chickc
real, cunning little chicken; l know
it's late, but couldn't get tho materials
till yesterday" And she quickly un-
pinned the paper she held, and display
ed the. little ball of feathers standing
on one leg on piece OF bark; it was so
life like that YOU could almost hear its
tiny peep"
| II Marjory had soft spot, il was for
little chickens, they were The only pets
she ever made. This was another SUBJ
ject on which her and John could never
agree She could not get him to admire
her little petsJhe said he admired them
more after they had gone through the
cooks hands. That was John exactly,
always taking a matter-of-fact view OF
everything. And now, the man before
her didn't seem TO value the cute little
piece Of her handiwork any more than
John would have done, for after one
glance, he said:
"Oh, those things are drug store on
the market, here are three in stock now.
and late in the day too; if they don't go
tonight they will be left over for next
year"
II see they are marked So. I'll take
lust anything for this; and you know
you said il. I'd bring in something of
this kind you'f'-aDd she paused; the
words were said in 20 meek tone. She
knew il would never do to remind him
of his promise TO buy a"stufied chicken"
of her fshe could really get one up, but
she did not feel quite as meek as her
voice sounded.
Don't want it," returned the man
shortly, as he turned to some one who
had Just entered.
an take quarter, anything for it,"
said she in beseeching voice, but he
was gone; and she was about TO wrap it
up, when big brown hand picked it
up, and the new customer said, very
abruptly:
an take this"
Myl how he chopped OFF the words,
sounded as if he was afraid something
would happen if he added another syl-
: liable.
But as the little woman heard the
voice she gave start, then she looked
up in terror. They must have heard her
heart thump! but no, she wasn't noticed
at all, just the way it had been all those
five years. she didn't count.
The stranger stood leaning over the
counter, gazing at that little clump OF
yellow feathers, and didn't seem to hear
, the shop keeper who was again all
. smiles and graciousness.
"Just like life, isn't it? The last in
stock, too, and III let i go cheap-$5
SIR"
! But John-for of course you know it
|, was John-didnt seem to hear, he Just
r looked at the chicken, and Marjory
looked at him. He was just the same
John five years ago, only looking little
more ruddy and some stouter. He had
not the least appearance Of a heart,
broken man; no, it was very evident he
didn't care. Maybe, somebody else
and here she gave a little gasp. This
: thought was new. She had never for
an instant, thought of John caring for
anybody else, but, now that the possi-
bility of such thing presented ITSELF
she felt il must be so. Yes, she was sure
ii was so. And oh! how miserable she
did feel. And when John said: at is 50
much like the work of some one
once knew she felt more forlorn than
ever. He, too put her away back in the
past.
"Where was it made, did you say; not
here in st. Lo,iis?'
"Yes, this lady supplies us did you
say you would take it?"
John turned quickly and gave this
lady" a glance; Just little glance at
the timid, shabby woman, not at all like
his bonny, strong Marjory; and turned
away. Oh, that was the "unkindest cut
of ALL" He had even forgotten her.
And now she knew that all the years
of suffering were nothing; nothing to this.
And she felt that she would gladly die,
just die to hear once "Marjory" as she
had heard it hundreds of times in the
past from his lips.
Inconsistent? Maybe.
How do l account for it?
| Why, lont intend to account for it,
She was just womanly woman, after
all.
But he had out his wallet, and after
handing the man the $5, he turned to
the quiet - outwardly - little figure,
seated on the stool back there in the
shadow, and said: Excuse me, ma'am,
but this little piece of work of yours is
worth more than many five dollars to
me, land there he had always made so
much fun of her STUFFED fowl" too,) and
if you'll just accept this little" And
he laid down another five dollars on
the counter before her. But as she
clasped her hands, and drew back with
a start, he noted the movement, and
said; "You neeln't mind taking it a bit,
ma am; it's honest money, and offered in
IN honest purpose. know little wo-
man somewhere" But he broke off
and turned abruptly away. Marjory
Jumped up--there was tone oi-of
something in his voice, yes, there was;
and it was not forgetfulness either. So,
just as he reached the door, he heard a
feeble, half whispered John" He
turned quickly, then went up to where
she stood; and, extending his arms, he
said in his old quiet voice. "Marjoryl
my poor little Marory!'
| And somehow she didn't resent it at
all, being pitied oh, no, it was the
sweetest thing she had known in five
years. And as he looked on the care,
worn face, with its sad eyes, that were
wont to be so bright and full of life, the
tears stood in his own. II was his own
Mapory at last. True, very forlorn,
faded, tired out looking Marjory, but no
matter.