Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1888-02-02

day. aAd some few drops were gleam-
ing saantwise in the air; the sky had
been gray and dark. but it was of q
warmer tint now. as if cheered by a
prophecy of setting sunlight. Far off
the low hills rose, dim. misty and vary
ing in hue SO little from the sky itself
as to look like great earth-born cloud
merging upward; here and there on
the bare branches of the poplars were
strong white lights where the glance
of the departing day fell ON them.
Some shining little pools fickered in
depressions of the worn pavement
And now, as the yellow tone faded
from the sky, lights began to show
lurid haze-encircled radiance from
the houses; and mingling with the drop
and tinkle of the slight rain were heard
voices of the twilight-mothers calling
their little ones, children responding
with shrill halloes. and the stronger
tones of men jesting with each other as
they hurried home from work.
There was a lump in Mary Bells
throat as she turned back into the
house, lighter with its single candle
than the world outside. for night had
breathed upon the distant dwellings
now and filmed them in an untathom-
able blue-gray mist
Serena was arranging the evening
meal on the kitchen table. Il lodged
We might ez we'll hev soon supper,
an be done with it." she said as they
sat down.
Afterward they washed the dishes.
fastened the windows. each with nail
fit d into hole over the lower sash.
and went up the steep. narrow stairs to
bed. The blinds were carefully drawn.
AMI night toilets made; each washed
her face in buttermilk, and fastened a
net over her crop of wasted ringlets.
Then they lay st fly down side by
side. with the window slightly open by
way of compromise.
1t was day when Serena awoke from
a nap which had only fallen upon her
weary brain toward morning; she saw
that Mary Bell was sleeping quietly.
SO she moved softly to the window and
sat awhile looking out, and wondering
dimly if any other place would ever
wear SO sweetly familiar an aspect.
The clear morning air revealed things
in broad masses of light and shade;
over the bit of grass the fence cast its
semblance in long. distinct lines. and
the naked branches We're. every twig
of them, half black. half white.
Very soon after breakfast the neigh
bors began to arrive, for an auction
was not an event to be lightly consid-
cred SO small a place. They were
mostly women who had come to get u
piece of furniture that might '.go
cheap" or some of the china dishes
which the Hughes girls were known to
have; later ON, when the house itself
was to be sold, the men of the town
would attend.
Mary Bell and Serena, in their best
gowns of thin crinkled black silk. re-
ceived the people with the subdued air
of mourners in house of death. Each
of them held starched white hand
kerchief in her folded hands. They
had not spoken to each other since
getting p. but they stood close to-
gether, lest any one should imagine
there was any ill feeling animating
them.
Presently little woman with pale
eyes and light red hair tlut,ered up.
How de do. Miss Hughcs?" she said.
shrilly. "'Pears like you-all are goin'
ter hev pretty day fer the sale. l
SEE ter Ames this mo'nln': 'Ames.' l
seq, Pm goin' ter pick up an go ter
the auction. an IL buy some O them
jells you set sech heap by Inever
wuz raised ter do sech-all things my
self; bein's ez our folks he'd niggers, l
never ez much ez turned my ham ter
do lick till l got married. An'-oh
yes! reckon I'll hev ter bid on tibet
blush teapot yander; a-course faint
sizable 'nough fer my family, but my
Johnny he don't gi' me no rest apes
term fer savin' s-bank-he's likely
one fer four year-an' l tole him this
mO'nin': You, John, eff you'll hesh
that mouth O. yourn. I'll look 'roun'
ter the Hughes fer ole-stylo tea-caddy
er somethin' tibet amt much count. an
fetch yer it fer bank. ="
Serena swallowed gulp of indigna-
ton; Mary Bell. with the odd jerking
at her lips, said that it was not likely
that china tea pot would go for moth
ing.
Then Squire Tol!iver. the auctioneer.
came in, red-faced and clustering, and
inclined to be very humorous.
'Hy're ye, Miss Hughes-purty live
~ this mo- nin'?" he asked genially.
Serena raised her gray head with
movement which set the little curls
twitching like coils of fine wire.
Folks don't genully feel over-lively Mt
a sale." she said, coldly.