The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-12-21
MISS LIDDY'S CHANCE.
SHE STA|D WHERE THE LORD DESIGNED SHE SHOULD
HELEN S. CONANT IN HARPER'S BAZAAR.
Miss Liddy stood in the door of her cot
age shading her ewes with her hand and

Miss Liddy stood in the door of her cot
tage shading her eyes with her hand ana
gazing intently down the road. 1t was
crisp morning in September, but the sun.
shining from clear blue sky, had already
turned the frost into drops of dew. The
woodbine which covered the porch over the
cottage door was a mass of flaming red,
and in the yard yellow and white chrysan-
themums tossed their heads side by side
with the pink and purple tufts of late China
asters. Curled on the door mat ut Miss
Liddy's feet was large Maltese cat bask-
ing in the sun. In field at one side of
the cottage a sleek red COW was nipping the
grass, and a flock of turkeys were scurrying
about on brisk morning hunt for grass
hoppers. So absorbed was Miss Liddy that
she did not notice the approach of neigh
Dor, until the woman, leaning over the
gate, said:
GOOD mornin', Liddy. Be you expectin'
company"
GOOD mornin', Mis- Dtson. Walk right
in,'' said Miss Liddy, starting, and drop
ping her hand from her eyes. mo. amt
expectin' company" she added, as she
ushered her guest into the trim little sitting
room, where neat workable, snowy
muslin curtains, and various bits of decora-
tive needlework proclaimed that New
England old maid was the ruling spirit OF
The cottage.
''Isee you gain down the road as if some
body was comm" said Mrs. Ditson.
Il was watchin, for my trunk. Dick
Bowles. said he'd bring it along from the
depot replied Miss Liddy.
'Your trunk! For the land sakcs, what
be you goin' to do with trunk?" asked
Mrs. Ditson.
"Im goin' away" said Miss Liddy. "The
trunk-one of them kind with box in the
top for bonnet. and he expects it III come
on the train this mornin'.''
where be you goin'. Liddy?" asked Mrs
Ditson, after pause, during which she hat
lifted her hands in establishment.
I'm goin' first to Boston to see siste
lisbeth's children. The poor things are al
alone there with his folks I believe it
right for woman to stick fast to her hus
band; but when he happens to be sea
capen. ! can't say its right for her to leay
her children to the care of strangers to g
galliyantln round the world with hin
Father didn't approve of L.isbeth marry
In Hiram, anyway; and as things h,
turned out, believe he was right. l que
when get there those children will be gls
to see some one of their own flesh a
blood"
II should say their fathers folks VI
their own flesh an blood as we'll as you
said Mrs. Ditson.
Il s'pose they are: but mothers folks
ways seemed nearer to me,'' replied Mi
Liddy. II think they've got the most rigl
anyway" she added firmly.
IF you'd married, Liddy, and had Oh
dren Of your own, as l have. you'd KIN
that the husbands folks think they've 8
the most right" said Mrs. Ditson, with
air Of superiority. why, 1 never
Thanksgivin' dinner with my own TO
once since was married. Until there v
. many children that we began to h,
Dinner. at home, had to go to his 70
year after year"
"Weli. didn't marry thank the Lor
snapped Miss Liddy. IF l had, mayb
wouldn't have the chance I've got n,
I've always been wantin' to travel;
there's always been somethin agin it, an
haven't slep' away from under this roof
once since was born. and that was VI
Mis- Putnam died, and staid mp Il
one night TO look after the children
thoiy amt could como for 'em. Father