Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1889-11-21
HER HUSBANDS NIECE.


BY FRANZ II. SNAIFFLk.
George, when did You get this letter.
asked Matte Henderson, as she glanced
into her husband $ face.
"On 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 II is
from your niece, Fanny Atwood She left
New York yesterday and will be here ON
the o clock train this morning. and it is
half-past Z now This is nice state of
affairs isn't it?''
ut was careless in me Matte the
farmer regretmlly 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-
ton, 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. II can t.
must have my milk at Beaver station on
time Why didn't she come over the road
most convenient to me?'
II suppose she II 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, tn venture
to predict. am good deal more put
out about 1t than you are. There's the
butter to churn the clothes 10 iron, the
current Jelly to make, and goodness only
knows what else. She Il 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
II know it will prove an infiction, the
husband consolingly said But guess
there 5 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 inopportme. 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 tokeep 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 spralned her ankle, the
PAIN so great that She almost tainted.
THAT means a week of enforced idle
ness, she despairingly thought. Time
so precious, and that acknowledgement
niece Of George more Of a mndrance
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 a doze, ard when she Openad her
eyes there stood Fannie Atwood looking
{ own into her face
She had on a plain. sensible-looling
travelling dress. Her figure was compact,
her complexion healthy, her air cheerful,
her demeanor self-possessed. Her cheeks
were dimpled her mouth indicated resou-
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 y
II WASH yexed about it, = replied the
visitor Nor am ] in a hurry about my
trunk
Il sprained my ankle Mrs Hender-
son said \ ann afraid will not be about
for three or four days
That is bad commiseratingy 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'm first look after that ankle. the yisi-
tor said, briskly cheerfuly.
She removed her daiuty-looking cuffs,
and then took off her aunt shoe and
stocking.
ut is considerably swollen, she said
~ am not surprised replied Mrs. Hem
derson. You'll find bottle Of liniment
IN the cupboard N0nder.
II wouldn put liniment on It'll just yet,
advised Fanny Have you any sugar Of
lead -
VERY likely Look in that medicine
box in the cupboard There little Of
everything there, almost
Fanny found the sugar Of lead, and then
some linen suitable for a bandage She
put the sugar Of lead in a 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.
IL wet the bandage every now and then
with it. Just you remain quiet. dearie,
and don bother yourself about anything
You have no girl2'