The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1886-07-30
But she asked no more

queSVlOns.
Lottie ate her own supper, then
went INTO the closet, took down the
tiny dish-pan, poured out her water
that had been heating while they ate,
then quickly cleaned up all signs of
supper, working quietly, as she sup
posed the weary woman was doing,
when, on the contrary, she was in
tently watching every act ofthe young
housekeeper. Work done, apron was
removed, clean cuffs were put on, the
soft curls brushed, and tastefully
tied; then Lottie came to the fire, and
seeing her visitor awake, said, with
smile and a pretty blush, "My Robert
is coming this evening, and you will
see if he is not good and notebook
ing"
''He is coming here?-this EVENING""
exclaimed the woman; starting up.
"Then must goat once!"
"Indeed, no! Where would you go?
You will stay here" said Lottie, with
decision; and at that very instant
steps sounded on the stairs, and
through the hall; and she added with
a quick smile, "Here he is now'
Trembling, and evidently at her
wits end, the woman sank back into
her seat; and while Lottie went to the
door and greeted her lover in q few
low-spoken words, she sat staring in
to the fire, a smile gradually breaking
over her face, as though consterna-
tion had given way to amusement.
Laying his hat and coat over q
chair, Robert Claxton came around
to the fire and looked down at the old
woman, as she looked up at him; and
there was a moments s silence.
"Grandmother!" he exclaimed at
last, in voice ofstupefed amazement
-"Grandmother, am I dreaming?"
"Well-no-I think not. You don't
appear to be-" answered she, as though,
after all, it was a great joke.
"But you-what-I-"
Didn't say was going to?" asked
she, shortly.
'No, you didn't say what; and l
never Thought"
NO, l suppose not; but l did. See
here, Lottie." /"
Like one doubling her senses, Lottie
had stood listening to the strange dia-
logue, and even at this peremptory
order she had not the power to move
"This is my grandmother, Lottie,"
began Robert, as if at loss how to
tell his story.
But she interrupted him briskly.
"Pll tell you about it myself, Lot
tie, said she. 81 am his grandmoth.
er, and | am not poor; and no moreis
he. as she has made you believe. On
the contrary, he is to have all my
money; and l had set my heart on his
marrying Maude Dawber-yes, the
very young lady where you teach-and
he set his heart on finding out fer him
self what she was like So l humored
him, and he left off his last name, Ben
nett, and went to the family with
glowing letter Recommendation from
me. Hewas engaged; he saw my pret-
ty Maude in her home, and | need not
tell you how he found her to be shift
less, spoiled beauty. He also saw you.
and | could never repeat all his love
rhapsodies. was chagrined that my
choice had been found at fault, and
determined to discover flaws in his,
and-well, Pve tried, and failed"
She paused there, and rising sudden
| ly, went to amazed and bewildered
Lottie, and took her hand.
"Robert, the girl you love is worthy
all you have SAID and believed OF her.
She is pure, true, noble girl, with a
heart that you Or any man must
strive hard to be worthy Of Take
her, with the warmest blessing your
crusty, doubling grandmother can ask
or give"
Tenderly Robert clasped the hands
| placed in his, and drew her to his
breast.
"Liottie, my darling, you forgive US
both?"
But from mingled astonishment and
JOY, Lottie was sobb;ng and speech
less.
II played the hungry old woman
pretty we'll, | think" said old Mrs.
Bennett, complacently, as she sat
down by the fire again. II am old
and rather pale, and, OF course, the
child never guessed l was swathed in
thick tlannels under all these rags
But, oh, Robert, my boy, you have
found a httle treasure-you have i'll
deed. Be worthy OF her.
~ will try, grandma" he said, ten
derly kissing l-ottie's blushing, happy
face, 4tevery hour OF my life