Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1886-08-19

this here box and lead us to a room Wi chairs
int, whites our legs have life in en-, if We
don't want the job of carrying of u.s." ex-
claimed Mrs Mead And the girl, thus ad-
monished, Kidding the old lady of her bur
den, conducted her and Jenny into parlor
to the right of the bar
With groan of WEAKNESS the old woman
tumbled herself down upon a chair and
Jenny sank languidly upon a sofa.
"Well, if ever | should ha' believed Wins
ton to be so fart" exclaimed Mrs Mead, lift
ing her bonnet off her gray hair and throw
ing it upon tho table
How do We feel, dear heart? Tired you
look as | niver see the like; but l have prom
ised thee a good snatch o sleep betwixt
breakfast and the coach hour, and that yell
git. And here is Sally, whose mother re-
mimber as the prettiest- wasted wench i
this part o the country. Don't courtesy to
me, my dear, for my bones'n not allow of
my rising. How are yellow are yea"
She addressed these words to stout,
kindly-faced young woman, who had come
suddenly into the room, and now stood star
ing at and courtesying first to Jenny and
then to Mrs. Mead.
sally continued the old woman, ave
have walked all the way from Greystone to
get n sup o breakfast afore t coach starts
What have we got tho house to comfort
tn inside of an old friend-and lady,
whose beauty should make We proud to
sarve herr Speak out my love, and niver
fear to name thy choicest. Is it pretty
slice from a tender side o bacon, with the
eggs which the hens are now singing over,
and pot o thy best tea, wi cream to give
it dainty colora That will do-that will
do, Sally; but I'll not gi' We a farden for it
all. if ye don't make the saucy wench, as
ogled ma through your glass door, brisk in
cooking of it."
"Whatl Mrs. Mead. Who'd liver ha'
thought of seeing you this time o marningp
cried Mrs Walker in a RICH clear voice
"Where be ye going by T. coach2 Not to Lun-
non, at thy time o life! Well. Welt only
last night did say to Roger: Next time thee
goest to Greystone, see that ye fill the big
gest basket wi the largest gooseberries for
Mrs Mead, that size may know Sally is
alive and wishes her health How strange,
now An it's breakfast you're wanting at
once? That you shall have, an quickly.
Hi Martial" she called at the door: and n
voice answered, "Here l be, missisr "Run
out and bring in what eggs ye can find end
first set the kittle on; and if We stay talking
with iackanapes Johnny, I'll know you by
my clock, which / am looking at nowl
There's breakfast for two to got, and if
your shoes hinder ye from running, toss 'em
OFF,
She looked back into the room with a
merry laugh which died away on her catch
ing sight OF Jenny's face, for the girl had
lifted her veil. Observing the change of ex-
preston in her friends face, Mrs. Mead
frowned knowingly upon her, with an ex-
tremely suggestive shake of the head, and
then begged for the loan of a pair OF Slip
pers, which Mrs. Walker Immediately went
to procure
"Now. Mistress" said the old woman, in
her kindest manner. and hobbling over to
Jenny, Eye must make yourself comfortable
here, and there's no reason ag'in' it. A bet
ter hearted young woman than Sally there
is not in this world. Niver you heed her if
she looks at thee 1t will be your beauty
that fetches her eyes and nothing else; for
this is house of call, and them who kapes
such houses soon loses all curiosity. You
shall breakfast and then lie down for a mos
sci o sleep Why, my dear, what beautiful
hair is yours IT'S like putting ones hand
on feathers, and just the color O the hair o
some of them draw ings we SEQ on church
windows when the sun shines through
them"
This bit of praise was provoked by her
gentle removal of Jenny's hat; then she
slipped the shawl off the girls shoulders
and knelt down to take off her shoes and
chafe the little feet
Grief and fatigue are by no means such
conditions as beauty covets for their physi-
cal gifts; yes it was a question if Jenny's
loneliness was impaired by the whiteness of
Z. 4. H. L..
lids, AMI the mournful set and curve into
which sorrow had twitched the sweetness OF
her mouth. Her hands We're folded YEARLY
on her lap and her wedding ring glistened.
How kind and good you are to me, Mrs.
Meadl' she said. IF ever my darling GENES
back TO me, how win he love and bless you
for your goodness to his wife If could get
little rest first, | could eat some breakfast;
but, indeed, l do not think l could swallow
food now
We'll perhaps we are right" replied Mrs.
Mead, thoughtfuay.
Anyways, they'll fit thee, Mrs Mead ex-
claimed Sally. with her merry laugh, drop
ping the slippers on the floor; sand slipper
a poor job if it don't fit loose"
"Now, see here, Sally" continued Mrs.
Mead, rising off her knees with ono OF those
involuntary groans which old folks like her
win send up over any harsh exercise of their
bones; 'this lady wants some sleep, and I'll
thank We, my dear for the loan of quiet
room for her. where the drawn blinds'n make
her poor eyes think it night
III yen come with me, ma'am, III leadyou
straight to such O room as Mrs, Mead asks
for said Sally, with a courtesy, giving
Jenny the "ma' ann on account of her we'd
ding ring, which the quick eye OF the woman
spied instantly.
With a feeble smile of thanks, Jenny
slipped her feet into her shoes, and, taking
up her hat and shawl, followed Mrs. Walker
out of the room, and Mrs Mead went creak-
ing after them
Now, though Mrs. Mead had represented
Mrs. Walker as hardened into incuriosity By
her calling as hostess, the truth was Mrs.
Walker was still, and was ever likely TO re-
main, a thorough woman in respect Of In
quisitiyeneSs when any real object Of curiosi-
ty came under her attention. To this quality,
which after all is harmless enough when il
prompts honest and kindly hearts, Jenny was
indebted for the promptness with which she
was conducted to a bedroom and made COM
Portable in it; for Mrs. Walker was very
anxious to have Mrs. Mead alone. that She
might hear all that was to be told about this
beautiful young girl with the wedding ring
on her finger, and what part in the mysteri-
/ Gus little play Judith herself was taking
There said the old woman. when Jenny