Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1889-11-18

SldutIy W Hcl uuIluS Tile uayS oildG
interviewed.
She was surprised, however at Alb
ner's thoughtful kindness for her,
used as she was to it. She wondered
anew at the ways he found to help
her. She set it down once more to
"Abner's wav." For the sway in
Guided, she had found, marvellous,
protecting tenderness, as unobtrusive
as sunshine. 1t was very good in a
busy time, too. And, on the strength
of it she allowed herself to be per-
suaded to 90 with Uncle Enos next
morning to invite their guests. 1t
was delightful drive, and Uncle
Enos was the best of company. If
she had ever thought him cold OF dis
tant she forgot it that day. Once
only he panied her.
81 suppose it is lonely for young
folks here at the farm he said, "es-
pecially women folk. We're SO con-
tented always, Mamie, we haven't
thought, or haven't, that you might
be getting lonely. You could go to
the city for good long visit this
winter. Your Aunt Lefty would de-
light to have you with her; and you
could 90 to school then, if you like,
or anywhere else.
But Mamie cried out against it.
Kind as the words were, they some
how hurt her cruelty. Didn't she
belong at the farm? Leaving it or
them had not entered her mind.
Was not her place there with them !?
She did not say this, of course, but
her heart was sore at the thought.
Their friends were easily persuaded
to come for Thanksgiving dinner
at the farm. Ned and his mother
lived on another road, and were last
to be visited. 1t was ten o'clock as
they drove up the lane.
"I'm terrible thirsty" said Uncle
Enos as he returned his massive sill
yer watch to his pocket. eff you
don't mind sitting in the wagon a
few minutes, there's a cold spring
over here in the meadow that I'd like
to get a drink from, as | used to
when l was a boy. We're SO near
the house you won't be afraid, and
you can go in without me if you
will"
But Mamie would rather stay in
the wagon. They had come by a
way that was little travelled, and had
stopped on a side of the house that
was little used, save that an outer
kitchen, which Aunt Kate seemed
not yet to have abandoned for warm
er winter quarters, was on that side.
1t had no windows looking in that
direction, however. 1t was unfinish-
ed, and the loosely fitted boards of
its rough walls-it was a ''lean-to'-
let out the odors of the morning.
cooking, and the sound of voices as
we'll. They were distant and indis-
tinguishable at first, but soon a voice
that she knew, questioned, with mas
culine impatience:
breakfast ready?"
GAS soon as / get the butter and
cream. I've kept things hot for you
and'll have 'em on in a minute. /
didn't know just when you'd be
down. l knew you'd be tired after
yesterdays hunting"
The last words were almost lost in
a vanishing diminuendo as the speak
er evidently hurried away to milk
room and pantry for the missing ar
ticles.
s'No steak, of courser' grumbled
the masculine voice again. Was
this Ned's way? "You might try to
have something decent, seems to me.
1 amt here every day"
s'There's cold meat and an ONE
lette. / didn't know as you'd care. .
Then even more timidly, "You're
not going out today, are you?''
s'Pm off for town at noon. Shan't
be back till the last train comes uE
tonight. What's up now?''
"Nothing, only l wanted you tc
see Lawyer Pratt about those notes
and we got TO have another deco
made out, of the south meadow, thai
your father bought of Jones yor
know. They've Strengthened the
road and made changes around. AnC
[ thought maybe we could go over t.
the graveyard"
'sBother [ shan't go there, any
way. The other things can wait. Oh
maybe you can attend to 'em.
don't see why not
Mamie did not catch the whole O
the mothers complaining protest OF
rheumatic pains, of work at home, O.
inability to comprehend and Arrange
those business matters, and dislike
} to attempt it, for Uncle Enos came
back just then, and they went round
10 the side-door and went in. Nan
ME more than half expected that Me-
had not finished his breakfast, bu
his manner betrayed no embarrass
ment of interruption. He was a
attentive and genial as ever. If sh
could have but forgotten that just
{ heard conversation, it would hav
: been pleasant call. AS it was Ne
: found it hard to account for her sud
den GOODNESS, and wondered why,
+. she cared so little, she took the trou