Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1890-11-27


This done, she sat down to her knit
ting, casting a glance every now and
then at the oven to make sure that all
was going on we'll. It was quiet morn
ing, and Miss Hetty began to think to
the clicking of her knitting needles
"After ALL" thought she, sits rather
solitary taking dinner alone, and that
on Thanksgiving day. I remember a
long time ago, when my father was 1v-
ing, and my brothers and sisters, what
merry time we used to have round the
table. But they are all dead, and II
alone am left!"
Miss Hetty sighed, but after awhile
the recollections of these old times re-
turned. She tried to shake them of,
but they had a fascination about them
after all. and would not go at her bid
ding.
s'There used to be another there, :"
thought she. ''Nick Anderson. He. too,
1 fear is dead.''
Hetty heaved thoughtful sigh, and
a faint color came into her cheeks.
She had reason. This Nicholas Ander-
son had been medical student, appren-
ticed to her father, or rather placed
with him to be prepared for his profess
y
than Hetty, and had regarded her with
more than ordinary warmth of affection.
He had, in fact, proposed to her, and
years probation. The trouble was, he
being naturally of lively and careless
temperament did not exercise sufficient
discrimination in the choice of his asso-
ciates. Hetry had loved him as warmly
as one of her nature could love. She
was not one who would be drawn away
beyond the dictates of reason and judg-
ment by the force of affection. Still, it
was not without feeling of deep sor-
row-deeper than her calm manner led
him to suspect-that at the end of the
years probation she informed Ander
son that the result of his trial was not
favorable to his suit, and that hence
forth he must give up all thoughts of
her.
To his vehement asseverat tons,
promises and protestations she returned
the same steady and infiexible answer,
and at the close of the interview he left
her quite as full of Indignation against
her as of grief for his rejection.
That night his clothing was packed
up and lowered from the window, and
when the next morning dawned it was
found that he had left the house, and,
as was intimated in slight note pen
ciled and left On the table in his room,
never to return again.
While Miss Henderson's mind was far
back in the past, she had not observed
the approach of a man, stability at
tired, accompanied by little girl. APP
parently some eight years of age. The
mans face bore the impress of many
cares and hardships. The little girl
was OF delicate appearance, and an oc-
casional SILVER showed that her gar
ments were too thin to protect her suf-
fciently from the inclemency of the
weather.
This is the place, Henrietta" said
the traveller at length, pausing at the
head of the graveled walk which led up
to the front door of the prim-looking
brick house.
Together they entered, and moment
afterwards, just as Miss Hetty was pre-
pairing to lay the cloth for dinner
knock sounded through the house.
''Goodness!" said Miss Hetty, fustered.
''who can it be that wants to see me at
this hour?"
Smoothing down her apron, and CIV
ing look at the glass to make sure that
her hair was in order, she fastened to
the door.
''Will it be asking too much, madam,
to request seat by your fire for myself
and little girl for few moments? It is
very cold.''
Miss Hetty could see that it was cold.
Somehow. too. the appealing expression
OF the little girls face touched her, so
she threw the door wide open and babe
them enter.
Miss Hetty went on preparing the
table for dinner. A most delightful
odor issued from the oven, one door of
overdo. Miss Hetty could not help OBJ
serving the wistful chances cast by the
little girl toward the tempting dish as
she placed it on the table.
t'Poor little creature" thought she,
81 suppose it is long time since she
had good dinner"
Then the thought struck her: ''Here
am alone to eat all this. There is
plenty enough for half dozen. How
much these poor people would relish it. -
ny tu4S I1n0 tuo aO10 was arranged.
''Sir," said she, turning to the trav-
eler, ''you look as if you were hungry
as we'll as cold. If you and your little
daughter would like to sit up, 1 would
be happy to have you"
THANK you. madam" was the CRATE
full reply. 1--WE are hungry, and shall
be much indebted to you for your kind
ness"
1t was rather novel situation for
Miss Hetty. sitting at the head of the
table. dispensing food to others beside
herself There was something rather
agreeable about it
Twill you have some of the dressing.
little girl have to call you that, for
don't know your name," she added, in
an inquiring tone.
''Her name is Henrietta, but gener-
ally call her Hetty.' said the traveller.
'What?" said Miss Hetty, dropping
the spoon in surprise.
She was named after a very dear
friend of mine," said he, signing.
MAY ask said Miss Hetty, with
excusable curiosity, "what was the
| name of this friend? begin to feel
quite an interest in your little girl. -
she added.