The Warner sun. (Warner, Brown Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1885-1???, 1885-10-09

80 pAAAVb ~ NV 20 ~ - -
would really do Annie good" that
his part. AS for the doctor, he assur-
ed her that Ned was perfectly well
except for a few spots on his throat
that the quiet, and q few days rest
from business, would quite set him up;
and urged her to stay With the children
for a day or two if he could conscien-
tiously telegraph "Alls we'll"
Two or three hours later Mrs. For
tescue and the two children drove off
to. the depot, waving a good-by to
"Poop Papa" who stood at his win
dow, the red flannel still about his
throat. DIR. Horton had ~telegraphed
to two or three of Ned's chums, and
was to make his next call about din
ner time, when they hoped the gentle
men in question would have arrived.
Meanwhile the cook and waitress were
quite relieved as to masters throat
by the hearty lunch he had ordered
and enjoyed.
1t CHANGED that all three of the
chums were able to accept the invita-
ton. Jack Downing could never re-
sist the country in such weather, and
felt he could combine business with
pleasure; for Fortescue had told him
of the scenery about his place, and he
was sure OF making some skethes
Tom Bascomb was a medical student,
one who often spent his Sundays at
the Hennery las the Fortescues called
/ their place., and Mr.. Driscombe, a
Woodworking man of business, was
fairly showed off by his wife, who knew
how much the poor man needed a
breath of real country air.
"Tm on the sick list" exclaimed
their host. Nothing worth mention
ing except that it gave MI a chance of
a holiday, and rs my wife is off with
the children / thought / would enjoy
keeping bachelors hall for a few days"
And they did enjoyit it! Jack sketched,
talked and smoked; Tom refused to
think of medicine or disease, kept
them all laughing, and amused him
self at the piano, while dear old Dris-
combe," as Ned called his friend, who
was a few, and seemed ten, years older
than Ned, rested body, soul and spir-
it, enioyingthe goodcooking, the clear
air, the scenery, the young mans jolli-
ty and his wife's letters, which arrived
twice a day.
Throat doing splendidly," was the
telegram that relieved Annie Fortescue
on the evening of her arrival. Aunt
Maria was delighted to see the children,
and made so much of Annie herself
that the little woman decided not to
go the next morning if the news was
good.
"Your husband almost well-no
need of nursing" was the telegram
received at 10 O'Clock, and then all
insisted that since she had come she
might as well stay.
s1Just telegraph to Ned that you'll
stay q week now you have left home, =
coaxed her aunt. "You are such a
slave to yoar house, husband and
children that | began to despair OF q
visit. / said to Thomas only the 9TH
err day: 'Annie1l be sure to be house
cleaning if this warm spell holds
good"
"Why, queerly enough, had be-
gum" said Annie. "My bed was down;
Ned always knows / mean business
when I unscrew that great bed of ours
How the dear old fellow hates house
cleaning. No, Ican't promise a week,
but I'll stay on from day to day
Ned can't do without me-"
If she could have but seen Ned at
that momentl He was trying his
hand at q water-color under Jacks
tuition, while Tom told story after
story that made Ned laugh SO hearth
ly he could not keep his hand steady
Then followed a song, Ned singing the
solo, and all joining In the chorus
singing is so good for a sore throat!
The weather grew warmer each day.
Annie's h~ousewifely instincts co uldnot
resists such opportunity. Ned was,
by his own account, quite well; the
children could stay at Aunt Maria's
What a splendid chance to do the
cleaning
"I never knew such a succession of
spring days. The weatheris heavenly.
1t is inspiring. Why, before the rest
of you thought of getting out of your
beds Ned and / took a stroll, and see
these sketches" and Jack showed his
studies.
"Do you know, a woman only thinks
of-"Ned began; but he vas interrupt
ed; he never finished the sentence, for
d figure stood In the doorway; and, as
all four gentlemen turned, Annie look
ed from one to the other, In very evi-
dent amazement, and not with evident
delight. Any woman who enjoys
housekeeping nor than homemakine
can enter into her feelings. Never had
the pretty sitting-room look
7, ed so homelike; but Annie
saw only the disorder. A box Of
water-colors here, the portfolio OF
sketches there; q branch ofcatkins was
pinned above a picture, and in two
saucers Mr.. Driscombe had started
some delicate ferns. .Messes," one
and all, housewifely Annie calledthem;
vet as she lookedshe couldn not be blind