Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1888-12-20

How Is it. Hannah" went on the
other, 'sthat most lone folks have
enough to do to take care of them
selvesp They think people ought to do
for them and look out for 'en, and es-
pecially when they get TO middle age.
But it's always just the other way with
YOU"
II don't know" returned Miss Han
nah, musingly. YES, do try to help
other folks what I can. And don't
see that I've ever been any worse off
for It. Really, I think it's just that
keeps me up and gives me courage to
work. It's something to think of and
plan for, you know. Now. If could
only do for myself, I shouldn't feel as
though twas hardly worth while al
ways TO, though that's something. But
when can do something for some one
else. why. 1t makes me as strong again.
and sight hopefuller.
II don't doubt II. But now. Ham
nah, do take care of yourself, and get
somebody 10 come In and help you.
We can't let you get worn out yet
She did not look worn out as she fit
ted about after her visitor had gone,
getting her cosy tea and putting things
in order for the night. Energy was in
every movement Of her trim. spare
figure, and q kind OF hopeful content
and courage blended with tho kindli-
ness and humor that iIlumined the
brown eyes. She was adjusting her.
self mentally TO the new turn affairs
had taken, with that ready willing
ness characteristic of her. Il couldn't
do differently" she was saying to her.
self. There wasn't but me to do It
any how, and the money will be real
help this fall. Tho house needs some
thing laid on It. and / want to send
Martha's girls something by and by;
and now / shall have little more for
missions, home and foreign, too; and
can get some of those books I've been
wanting" And she paused In her fit
ting to and fro. 10 look lovingly at the
already well-stocked shelves OF the
massive secretary, and thoughtfully at
the empty space in the newer book.
case beside IT, YES. am not so sor-
~ as might be, Twill be quite
piece OF work, though, before it's
through. However, guess can man
age"
''Quite a piece of work" it proved
indeed to be. The threshers came,
staid a week and departed Close
upon them came the carpenters crew;
and just as they were well settled,
came the most dreaded of all. Mr..
Sterne's friend. the superintendent oil
the new mills. Miss Hannah had word
that he was coming, and MIR. Sterne
drove over with him at supper-time.
He was In haste, and stopped only to
say thu his sister was no better; the
fever was having . long run. Lucy
was about worn out too. s'AHd this
Is the gentleman we spoke of. Hannah,
that you said might stop here spell.
I think he Ia an old acquaintance Of
yours"
And Mr.. Sterne had driven off before
she had had one good look at tAe man
before her. He lifted his hat then and
held out his hand with a smile.
You used TO know me, Miss Hoitt.
You can't have forgotten how many
times we've trudged up the hill to
school together. and how many times
you did my sums and helped me out
with my parsing. in the little red
school-house over yonder. Or, IL you
have forgotten, ! haven't"
ALLEN Maynard! l had no idea it
was you that was coming! / didn't
really know who it was, coms to
think, but didn't dream it was your
But you'll take me just the same"
For answer she led the way into the
house, with pink checks. shaking off
her confusion as best she could.
The little home was very CHEEKY.
The slant rays Of the setting sun
streamed in between the plants in the
bay-window and gilded the bindings Of
her books and made great reflections
from the polished andirons. Aad in
the next room was spread the dainty
tea-table, with Its crimson cloth, its
glittering glass, its tempting array,
and its vase Of flowers in the eegter.
Fer Miss Hannah was persuaded that
even ''those men" noticed and appre-
ciated her flowers And the fragrance
OF freshly4made tea, and inviting doors
Of browning biscuit, of baked apples,
and other appetizing scents, were in
the air. And IL was with pleasure not
all concealed that tho now boarder
took the seat she assigned him. IL
CHANGED to be opposite her own. 1t
was natural that the days should seem
TO go by faster than ever, now. They
were very short anyway, and Miss
Hannah was very busy. II any other
element gave new. sweet cost TO day.
time task and evening talk, she did not
own it
Allen MHynsrd was still good and
true, and brave ana generous though
his hair was turning gray, and he had
been many times across the continent.
twice across the sea, once even around
the world. He had many things to tell
of people and countries and customs
known TO her only through books. And
he liked books as much as she did. too,
and brought some of his own for her
TO read, and sometimes new ones that
they read together.
The work on the new barn dragged
YEARLY, though Miss Hannah hardly
noticed that October was gone and
November was going, TIL one night
she heard the men say that they should
just about get done when the ground
closed up: in time, may be, to get home
before Thanksgiving. And Mrs. Sterne
came home; her sister was Gonzales
cent, but she wss weil-nigh Frustrated
herself with watching.
And now the carpenters would 60 in
week or two. ss most. and Miss Han
nah began 70 reslixe that the old life
would soon begin again for her, and
that It would be lonely. For Mr.. May
nard must 60. too. How should she
let him know ftp HSfnints fell unheod-
ed, and though thssmen spoke of going