West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1889-12-12


derson gratefully said.
"There is nothing reduces a swelling
like sugar OF lead water, =" replied Fanny
I'll wet the bandagc every now and then
with it. Just you remain quiet, dearie.
and don't bother yourself about any.
thing. You nave no girl2''
"No, child" Mrs. Henderson said
"We cannot afford to keep one"
"In get uncle his dinner" announced
Fanny.
"You'n-gct-George his dinnerr
repeated Mrs. Henderson.
Fanny noticed the incredulity in hel
tone, laughed prettily, and said:
"Why shouldn't II If you will allow
me 10 skirmish around I'll manage 10 find
things. However, il isn't near dinner
time yet. When went 20 the kitchen
Tor the basin | saw you had sprinkled
the clothes. Shall l iron themf"
She saw the odd smile that came tc
her tired aunt's lips and correctly inter.
preted it.
! ''Maybe you think I can't iron?" she
pleasantly said. "Just you wait and
4 see"
"But the dress you have on, Miss At.
wood2 It"
"Was selected for service" completed
Fanny. "Of course I'll put on enc of
your aprons"
When George Henderson returned
from his errand, ne heard some one sing.
ing checrily in the kitchen. He stepped
in and saw his niece ironing away as
deity as if she had spent the best part of
her life at it. She made such a pretty
picture that he stood still and looked at
her.
GLOW do you do, %unclc?" IA twinkle of
merriment in her brown eyes; then she
went and kissed him, standing on tip-toe
TO do so.
I'm glad you've come, Fanny" he
said with hcartiness. 81 suppose Matte
explained why | did not meet you at the
s%tationl But, why are you ironingi
Where is Mattie?"
''She is lying down, uncle. She fell
and sproined her ankle"
MIR. Henderson stepped into the sitting
room, II look of concern on his face.
"Why, dear, how did this happen?'
he kindly asked.
"oh, how does anything happen" she
replied, a little ENORMOUSLY. "Througt
my own awkwardneSs, no doubt. ! al
most tainted, the pain was so great"
"Does it pain you now, dear?"
81 am glad to say that il doesn't"
I'll bathc it with sugar of lead water
he said. "There isn't anything better
Fanny has already done that" re.
piled the wife. at was her W suggcs.
ton"
"Oh!" calculated Mr.. Henderson, with
Increasing appreciation of his niece.
'And she insists upon ironing. A
pretty mess she'll make of it!'
"Well, maybe not" Mr.. Henderson
said in a quiet tone. 81 watched her g
little while. Matte, you are a good ironer.
but she is your equal"
''Oh, nonsense, Georger" exclaimed
his wife. REARED in the city, as she
has been"
Didn't necessarily make her a lazy,
silly, novel reading imbecile," Interrupt
ted her husband. perhaps we haven't
been just to Fanny. l think she is o
solid, energetic, capable sort of a girl,
and it is lucky that she came"
"Well, l hope it may prove so, " doubt.
ingly rejoined the wife. George, there's
the butter.'
'Ill churn that, " he said. Gwen get
along. just keep your mind at ease.
You will get about much sooner if you
do"
Fanny Atwood prepared dinner, now
and then slipping into the sitting-room to
wet the bandage, and to chat in her
CHEEKY way with her patient.
On the third day Mrs. Henderson was
able to hobble to the kitchen, where she
found everything in most excellent
order.
Look at my currant jelly" Fanny
proudly said, as she held up one of the
glass jars to the light. It was translucent
and bright as ruby tinted wine.
1T is very nice, - Mrs. Henderson said.
GLOW much sugar did you take2"
Pound for pound" replied Fanny.
II wasn't cx~trayagant, was n"
"You we're WISE" her aunt said with
a smile.
She opened the door leading into the
cellar.
Fanny, did YOU whitewash the stair
10Y 'H' 1h'N lu DISC.
Eyes, auntic. II needed it. I knew
you meant to do it, for ! saw sou had
Stacked the lime. Isn't it nicely done?"
every nicely" Mrs. Henderson said.
''But IL wasn't right for you TO do it
Surely your hands"
"Look at them" Fanny SAID. laugh.
ing. ''They are as white and soft as
any lady's. / put gloves on-and then
! have 70 sort Of dainty way Of working.
] can do it we'll without pitching into it
all over. II it was right for Won to
whtewash the cellar-way, il was right
for me to whitcwash it. / came here 70
help you and 70 spare YOU 20 ride thc
horses, 10 90 10 the mill with Uncle
George, and TO make myself useful and
welcome. II you arc not going 10 lct
me work, or have any fun, why, TN go
right back To- New York "
She spoke with voluble car~ncstnces.
her gcstures rapid, her dimpIes dancing.
Mrs. Matte Henderson sat down in %
chair and cried.
"Why, aunt, what IS the mattcr,n
asked Fanny, her brown csc. widening
'I hope didn't say anything $4,000
N|MU Iunr .4 IrI.H. tf