Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-11-21
HER HUSBANDS NIECE.
BY FRANK H. sNAUFFER.

George, when did you get this letter.
asked Matte Henderson, as she glanced
into her husbands face.
Son Wednesday," he said with some
hesitation.
And this is Friday" rebukingly re-
replied his wife You carried it about
in your pocket for at least two days. 1t is
from your niece, Fanny Atwood. She left
New York yesterday and will be here on
the clock train this morning. and it is
half-past now This is nice state of
affairs ISM tip
sit was careless in me Matte" the
farmer regretfully admitted.
He was a handsome, good-natured fellow,
sturdy in frame and pleasing in speech.
He had a whip in his hand, and his wagon,
loaded with milk cans was standing at
the gate.
''She says she will get off at Forest sta
tion where you are to meet her, Mrs.
Henderson said, her eyes once more on the
letter.
''Oh, pshaw," cried the husband with
an Impotence unusual with him. Il can t.
| must have my milk at Beaver station ON
time. Why didn she come over the road
most convenient to me?''
81 suppose she'll have to walk here, - re-
piled the young wife. ''And as she says
she intends to stay three weeks, no doubt
she has brought her trunk with her-a
trunk of no mean dimensions, I'll venture
to predict. am good deal more put
out about 1t than you are. There's the
butter to churn, the clothes to iron, the
current jelly to make, and goodness only
knows what else. She'll be too dainty too
lay hand to anything, and will spend her
time reading, sleeping and rolling in the
hammock. She might have waited to be
asked. -
Il know it will prove an infection, the
husband consolingly said. but I guess
there's nothing to do but to bear 1T. Things
may not turn out so bad as you fancy they
will
He got into the wagon and drove off.
Mrs. Henderson walked into the spring
house to churn the butter She was sell
dom peevish and rarely complained, but
the visit really seemed inopportune. She
was not very strong, and as she worked
early and late and took no recreation, it
was beginning to tell on her nerves.
The farm was not entirely paid for, and
they were not able to keep girl. She was
a sensible little woman. and felt that it
was her duty to second her thrifty hus-
bands effort. Leisure, if not competency,
would come by and by.
In discerning the steps of the spring
house she fell and sprained her ankle, the
pain so great that she almost tainted.
THAT means week of enforced idle
ness, she despairingly thought Time
so precious, and that acknowledgement
niece of Georges more of hindrance
than help Oh, dear!'
After much painful effort she succeeded
in reaching the sitting room, and threw
herself upon the comfortable lounge. She
fell into doze, and when she openad her
own into her face.
travelling dress. Her figure was compact,
her complexion healthy, her air cheerful,
her demeanor self-possessed. Her cheeks
were dimpled, her mouth indicated resolu-
ton, her soft brown eyes offered confidence
and invited it, She had walked two miles
through the hot sun, over a dusty road, but
one would hardly have thought so, she
looked so neat, and placid.
you are my Aunt Matte, | suppose?"
she said, in a low, sweet voice, a smile
lurking among her dimples.
Yes, Mrs. Henderson said with an eff
fort. Your uncle forgot to give me your
letter until this morning. He could not
not meet you because he had to deliver the
milk over at the other railroad at the hour
you named. [ am sorry you had to walk. "
Il WASH t vexed about it, replied the
visitor. Nor am l in hurry about my
trunk
II sprained my ankle" Mrs. Hender-
son said. Il am afraid will not be about
for three or four DAYS -
THAT is bad. commiseratingly rejoin-
ed Miss Atwood. 1T seems was just to
come. can do ever so many things for
you.
Yes" grimly assented Mrs. Hender-
son.
'I'll first look after that ankle, the visi-
tor said, briskly, cheerfully.
She removed her dainty-looking cuffs,
and then took off her aunt s shoe and
stocking.
at is considerably swollen, she said.
Il am not surprised, replied Mrs Hen
derson. You'll find a bottle of liniment
in the cupboard yonder.
81 wouldn t put liniment on it just yet,
lead?''
Very likely. Look in that medicine
box in the cupboard. There's little of
everything there, almost
Fanny found the sugar of lead, and then
some linen suitable for bandage She
put the sugar of lead in basin, added
cold water, soaked the bandage in it and
then wrapped it around the swollen ankle.
She went about it like professional nurse
THAT feels very cooling, Mrs. Hender-
son gratefully said
There is nothing reduces a swelling
like sugar of lead water, replied Fanny
L IL wet the bandage every now and then
with it. Just you remain quiet, dearie,
and don't bother yourself about anything.
You have no girl?'
No, child, Mrs. Henderson said. I'VE
cannot afford to keep one y
III get uncle his dinner" annouced
Fanny.
You -get-George his dinner" re-
peated Mrs Henderson
Fanny noticed the incredulity In her tone,
laughed prettily, and said:
why shouldn't l? If you will allow
me to skirmish around I'll manage to find
things. However. it isn't near dinner
time yet. When / went to the kitchen for
the basin | saw you had sprinkled the
clothes. Shall | iron them?"
She saw the old smile that came to her
tired aunt's lips and correctly interpret
ed it.
Maybe you think l can't iron?" she