The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-12-21

here to stay with her folks and rest while he
KEEP on, and she was the most worn out
looking critter l ever see. She owned up
that she didn't have nothin' fit to eat the
whole time. Her new gown abe had made
to go in was clean wore out. and the bonnet
she'd paid So for was wnisked right Off her
head by the wind the very first day as she
was goin' from one car to another
''They have entries between the cars now,
80 you don't have to go out doors: read
mined to hold her ground in spite Of neigh
borly opposition.
"When do you intend to start, Liddy?"
asked Mrs. Ditson, as she arose to take her
leave.
i've laid out to go in two weeks; that is
to say, if Lean get everything arranged to
suit" replied Miss Liddy. casting quick,
sidelong glance at Prince, who was rubbing
against her skirts as she stood saying the
last words to her guest.
Mrs. Ditson hurried home, not 30 fast,
however, that she did not impart the news
of Miss Liddy's journey at every kitchen
door until she reached her own, when she
breath enough lett to gasp out Miss Lid.
dy;s goin' away-goin to be gone year"
for the editication of Martha Buffers. the
maker, who happened at that time to be
giving Mrs. Ditson her yearly 'week" Of
| cutting and basting and making over.
Before night the entire village knew that
| Miss Liddy was going on journey. The
| farmers shook their heads and condemned
| the move as a piece of old maids folly.
They used much stronger language con-
corning the matter than it called for, prob
| ably to nip in the bud any inclination for
the women, one and all, with the exception
of Mrs. Ditson, were in sympathy with
Miss Liddy, and declared that she would
be raving crazy to lose such chance of
seeing something of life outside of her ma
tive town.
Miss Liddy herself was passing through
an experience which she had not foreseen.
The trunk had arrived, and the first sight
of it filled her with joy. 1t was a huge af.
fair, covered with marbleized tin, and fas-
tened with two locks, to which were queer
fiat little keys, which Dick Bowles ex
served as a key hole, pushed in {
} little way. turned half way round
and pushed again. This intricat,
J proceeding terrified Miss Liddy's un
, mechanical mind; but the key was nothins
: as compared to the bonnet box, of which
bonnet-she Laid out'' her old one woult
y be good enough to wear in the cars-woul,
r by no twisting and turning be made to fl
in the small compartment which was III
9 tended tc hold the tiny bit of ribbon an
> lace representing the head-gear of moder
/ fashion.
t II shall have to wear my best bonnie
g after all. and tie it up in veil to keep tn
Q dust off. That'll be better than jammin'
all out of shape" said Miss Liddy; bu
d she was dissatisfied. The idea that til
e trunk was swindle ranked in her breas
1t and when Mrs. Ditson, who came expressl
u to look at the purchase. declared that til
Sc trunk "warn't nothin' to the swindlin'
III she would meet with along the road, poo
IN Miss Liddy's heart beat with trepidatiol
n although she kept up bold front in Il
l. face of her neighbor' g discouraging remark
The preparations for departure We
I'd much more gigantic than she had antic
Id pated. The thought of possible dust ar
ou moths which might invade her home duri1
in her absence filled her with dismay. Wi
id many signs she set to work to protect b
TO- little parlor. Old bed linen was broug
as out of the chest in the attic, and the hal
in cloth sofa and chairs put in winding-shee
is muslin bags of camphor were placed arouI
to the edges of the carpet to scare any adve
ne turous moth that might attempt to ent
n the sacred apartment.
The butcher at the Corners, hearing
VS. Miss Liddy's proposed journey. stopped
i've the gate to say that he would take the c,
RI and turkeys at any time.
~? Don't you care come for 'em till / Sc
he you word,' snapped Miss Liddy, as s
aer hurried into the cottage and slammed I
sys door, an action which puzzled the wort
to butcher greatly.
he That night as she drove Glover. the &C
,ok into the barn, the patient beast seemed
av- turn her big blue watery eyes reproachfu
it. upon her mistress, whose own eyes q
up watery in return.