The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1886-06-25

rapt expression of the girls face mad
the woman turn suddenly away ant
wipe her eyes. And then nothing NOR,
was said by either until the dainty sup
per of tea. toast, and egg was cookie
by Lottie, and placed before the woman
on little tray, covered with a worn
but snowy napkin. Then suddenly
came the question:
'What are you going TO do with mi
to-night-turn me out?'
"Oh no, indeed. You shall sleep or
my bed, and can make pallet here
by the fire. My bed is out of sigh
now" she added, with a laugh, us tho
woman looked around inguiringly. 81
like to have my room a sitting-room
so, if anyone comes to see me fold my
bed into a lounge, and put all my toilet
things behind that pretty curtain, and
that leaves Inc little parlor, yoa see.
Isn't it PLEASANT"
The old woman's face was mystery
as she looked and listened. The thir
lips continually twitched, and the eyes
with all their sharpness gone, filled
again and again with tears. But SHE
asked no more questions.
Lottie ate her own supper, then wen
into the closet, took down the tiny dish.
pan, poured out her water that had
been heating while they ate, then put
out and set back the little stove. and
quickly cleaned up all signs of supper
working quietly, as she supposed the
weary woman was doing, when, or
the contrary, she was intently watching
every act of the young housekeeper
Work done, apron was removed, clear
cuffs put on, the soft curlS brushed and
tastefully tied; then Lottic came to tho
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 anC
noble looking"
''lIe is coming this EVENING"" ex
claimed the woman, starting up. "Ther
must 90 ut once"
Indeed, no! Where would you goi
You will stay right here" said Lotto
with decision.
And at that very instant steps sound.
ed on the stairs, 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 now while Lottie went to the
door. and greeted her lover in few
low-spoken words, she sat staring into
the fire. smile gradually breaking
over her face, as though CONSERVATION
had given place to amusement.
Laying his hat and coat over a chair,
Robert Claxton came round to the fire,
and looked down ut the old woman as
she looked up at him; and there was a
moments silence.
Grandmother" he exclaimed at last,
in a voice of stupeiicd amazement.
GRANDMOTHER, am dreaming?"
well, no, think not. You don't
appear to be," answered she, us though,
after all, it was Il great joke.
but -what-I-"
Didn't | say | was going to?" asked
she shortly.
mo. you didn't say what; and
never thought"
mo, l suppose not; but did. See
here, Lottie."
Like one doubling her senses, Lottie
had stood listening to this strange dia.
logue, and even at this percmptory or.
der she had not the power to move.
This is my grandmother, Lottie," be.
gan Robert, rs if at a loss how to toll
his story.
But she interrupted him briskly.
"Pll tell you about il myself, Lottie,' ~
said she. Il am his grandmother, and
l am not poor; and no more is he, as
he has made you believe. On the con-
trary. he is to have all my money; and
l had set my heart on his marrying
Grace Lathrop-yes, the very young
lady where you teach, and he set his
heart on finding out for himself what
she was like. So hundred him, and
he left of his last name, Sterling, and
went to the family with glowing rec
ommendation from me. He was en-
gagged, he saw my pretty Grace in her
home, and need not tell you how he
found her to be shiftless spoiled beau
ty. He also saw you, and could never
repeat all his love rhapsodies. l was
chagrined that my choice had been
found at fault, and determined to dis
cover flaws in his, and-well, I've tried
and failed"
She paused there, and rising sudden
ly, went to amazed and bewildered Lot
tie, 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 he worthy of. Take her, with
the warmest blessing your crusty, doubt
ing grandmother can ask or give"
Tenderly Robert clasped the hands
placed in his, and drew her to his
breast
"Lottie, my darling, You forgive us
both?n
But, from mingled establishment and
Joy, Lottie was sObbing and speechless.
81 played the hungry old woman
pretty well. l guess" said old Mrs. Ster-
ling complaccntly as she sat down by
the fire again. "I'm old and sick-look-
ing, and of course the child never
guessed was swathed in thick ilannels
under all these rags. But, oh, Robert,
my boy, you have found little treas
use-you have indeed! Be worthy OF
her!'
II will try. grandma" he said, ten.
derby kissing Lottie's blushing, happy
face, "every hour of my life"
The CaFFier:Pigeon.
In the May Century is profusely il.
lustrated article on 1.-The Breeding OF
Fancy Pigeons" From it we quote the