The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1891-12-23
HER HUSBANDS NIECE.

Hen HUODAND y N1EOE.
George, when did you get this let
ter?" asked Matte Henderson, as she
glanced into her husbands face.
'On Wednesday," he said. with some
hesitation.
'.And this is Friday" rebukingly re-
piled his wife. You carried it about
in your pocket for at least two days.
1t is from your niece. Fanny Atwood.
She left New York yesterday and will
be here on the 8 o'clock train this
morning, and it is 7:30 now. This is
nice state of affairs, isn't it?"
1T was careless of me, Mattie," the
young farmer regretfully admitted.
He was a handsome, good-natured
fellow, sturdy in frame and pleasing in
speech. He had whip in his hand,
and his wagon, loaded with milk cans,
was standing at the gate.
She says she'll get off at Forest
station, where you are to meet her,"
Mrs Henderson said, her eyes once
more on the letter.
'Oh, pshaw," cried the husband
with an impatience unusual with him.
81 can't, l must have nv milk at
she come over the road most con-
venient to me?n
Il suppose she'll have to walk here"
replied the young wife. "And as she
says that she intends to stay three
weeks no doubt she has brought her
trunk with her-a trunk of no mean
dimensions. I'll venture to predict. I
am a good deal more put out about it
than you are. There's the butter to
churn, the clothes to iron. the currant
jelly to make and goodness only knows
what else. She'll be too dainty to lay
a hand to anything. and will spend her
time reading. sleeping and lolling in
the hammock. She might have waited
to be asked.n
Il know it will prove an infliction,"
the husband consolingly said. "but 1
guess there's nothing to do but to bear
it. 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 chu:n the butter. She was
seldom peevish and rarely complained.
but the visit really seemed inoppor-
tune. 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 to keep girl.
She was sensible little woman, and
felt that it was her duty to second her
thrifty husbands efforts. Leisure, If
not competency, would come by and
by.
In descending the steps of the spring
house she fell and sprained her ankle,
the pain being so great that she almost
tainted.
That means a week of enforced
idleness," she despairingly thought
Time so precious, and that fashion
ably reared niece of Georges more Of
a hinderance than help. Oh. dear!'
After much painful effort she sue
ceeded in reaching the sitting-room
and threw herself upon the comfort,
able lounge. She fell into doze, ano
when she opened her eyes there stooc
Fanny Atwood looking down into hel
face.
She had on plain, sensible-lookins
travelling dress. Her figure was com
pact, her complexion healthy. her ali
cheerful her demeanor self-possessed
Her cheeks were dimpled, her moutl
indicated resolution, her soft, brown
ewes offered confidence and invited it
She mad walked two miles through the
hot sun over a dusty road, but on
would hardly have thought so, sh
looked so neat, clean and placid.
You are my Aunt Matte. l sup
poser" she said, in low, sweet voice
a smile lurking among her dimples.
.'Yes," Mrs. Henderson said, with a
effort. Your uncle forgot to give m
YOUR letter until this morning. II
could not meet you. because he had t
deliver the milk over at the other raj
road at the hour you named. L al
sorry you had to walk"
II wasn't vexed about it, p" replied tn
visitor. Nor am in a hurry abou
my trunk"
II sprained my ankle Mrs. Her
derson said. II am afraid l will nc
be about for three or four days"
.'That is too bad" commiseratingl
reioined Miss Atwood. 1T seems
was Just in time. can do ever
many things for you"
Yes" grimly assented Mrs. Hende
son.
IN first look after that ankle" tt
visitor said briskly. cheerfully.
She removed her dainty-looking cuf
and then took off her aunt's shoe ar
stocking.
| 1T is considerably swollen" 81
said.
Il am not surprised" replied Mr.
Henderson. you'll find bottle
liniment in the cupboard yonder." ;"
II wouldn't put liniment on it ju
vet" advised Fanny. 'Have you al
= sugar of lead?"
Every likely. Look in that medicil
box in the cupboard. There's a lit
of everything there, almost"
Fanny found the sugar of lead, al
then some linen suitable for bandag
She put the sugar of lead in basi
added cold water soaked the banda!
in it and then wrapped it around t
swollen ankle. She went about 1t IL
a professional nurse.
ut feels very cooling, " Mrs. Hendt
son gratefully said.
.'There is nothing reduces swe
;no like sugar of lead water" repli
Fanny. "rll wet the bandage eve
VI now and then with it. just you !