Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1891-12-26
'll--get---tieoree bis dinnert'' |

repeated Mrs. Henderson.
Fanny noticed the incredulity In her
tone. laughed prettily and said:
why shouldn't II II you will allow
me TO skirmish around I'll manage TO
find things. However. it isn't near
dinncr-tinie yet. When went to the
kitchen for the basin saw YOU had
sprinklcd the clothes. Shall / iron
tbem?p
She saw the odd smile that came TO
her tired aunt's lips and correctly in
tcrpreted 1t.
May be you think can't ironp" she
pleasantly said. Just you wait aud
see."
But the dress you have on. Miss
Atwood? 1t"
WAS selected for service" COM
peted Fanny. "Of course. I'll put on
one OF your aprons"
When George Henderson returned
from his errand he heard some one
singing cheerily in the kitchen. lie
stepped ia and saw his niece ironing
away as deftly as II she had spent the
best part of her life at il. She made
such pretty picture that he stood still
and looked at her.
How do you do. uncleP" twinkle
OF merriment in her brown eyes; then
she went and kissed him, standing on
tiptoe TO do SO.
'Pm glad you've come. Fanny" he
said with heartiness. II suppose Mat
tie explained why | did not meet you
Mt the station? But why are you iron
ingp Where is Mattie?"
She is lying down. uncle. She fell
and sprained her ankle"
Mr.. Henderson stepped into the
sitting-room, look of concern on his
face.
why, dear, how did this happenP"
"Oh, how does anything happen?n
she replied, little querulously.
Through my own awkwardness, no
doubt. almost tainted, the pain was
SO great"
Does it pain you now, dear?"
Il am glad to say that it doesn't"
''Ill battle it in "a little sugar of lead
water" he said. There is nothing
better"
Fanny has already done that" re-
piled the wife. 1T was her own sug-
gesiion."
oh" calculated Mr.. Henderson,
with increasing appreciation Of his
niece.
''And she insists upon ironing. A
nice mess she'll make OF it!'
We'll, may be not" Mr.. Henderson
said, in quiet tone. Il watched her
little while. Matte. you are good
ironer. but she is your equal"
sllh nnuoapsa
his wife. Reared in the city, as she
has been"
Didn't necessarily make her lazy.
silly, noyel-readjng imbecile." inter
rupted her husband. Perhaps we
haven't been just to Fanny. / think
she Is solid. energetic capable sort
of girl, aud it is lucky that she
came"
We'll. | hope it may prove So"
doubtingly rejoined his wife. George.
there's the butterg
"rll churn that" he said. "Well
get along just you keep your mind
at ease. Yon will get about much
sooner IL you do"
Fanny Atwood prepared dinner, now
and then slipping into the sitting-room
TO wet the baudage and to chat in her
CHEEKY way with her patient.
''On the third day Mrs. Henderson
was able to hobble to the kitchen,
where she found everything in most
excellent order.
Look at my currant Jelly" Fanny
proudly said. as she held up one of the
glass jars to the light. 1t was trauslu-
cent and bright as ruby-tinted wine.
1T is very nice" Mrs. Henderson
said. How much sugar did you
take?n
Pound for pound" replied Fanny.
Il wasn't extravagant. was | ?n
You were WISE" her aunt said. with
a smile.
She opened the door leading into the
cellar.
Fanny. did you whitewash the
stairway" she asked, iu surprise.
Yes, auntie. 1t needed it. knew
you meant to do it. for saw you had
slaked the lime. Isn't il nicely donepn
Very nicely" Mrs. Henderson said.
But it wasn't right for you to do it.
Surely your bands"
Look at them" Fanny said laugh
ing. They are as soft and white as
any lady's. put gloves on. and then
! have a sort of dainty way Of working.
! can do it we'll without pitching into
it all over. have knack. as mother
calls it. II it was right for you to
whitewash the cellarway il was right
for me to whitewash it. l came here
TO help aud to spare you; TO ride the
horses, to 90 TO the mill with Uncle
George. and to make myself useful and
welcome. II you are not going to
let me work or have any fun. why, I'll
90 right back to New York"
She spoke with yoluble earnestness.
her gestures rapid. her dimples dane
ing.
Mrs Matte Henderson sat down 10
a chair and cried.
"Why. aunt. what Is the matter?"
asaru ranBy. ner urown eyes w1ueu-
ing. IL hope didn't say anything to
mo. dear. you didn't" replied Mrs.
Henderson. in broken voice. II am
crying becau's am ashamed of my
self-because have been so unkind TO
you in my thoughts. supposed that
you would annoy me and hinder me;
that you would be helpless, selfish,
fault-inding; that you"
But you think more kindly of IN,
now. do you nole'; interrupted Fanny,
her hands moving caressiugly over hel
aunts hair.
Most certainly do" replied Mrs
Henderson. explosively. That is why
l coufess my injustice-wby 1 want tC
make amends. why ="
Don't mind it. auntie." said tbs
sweet. forgiving. sympathetic voice
IL don't censure you. and it's all righ
now. There may be-and. in fact
there are-listless. frivolous, helpless
girls in New York city-and in othe
cities-but am not one of them. If
were l am afraid should despise my
self"
Il am glad You have come. Fanny
and will be sorry when you 80,
Mrs. Henderson said. and she mean
it. My prejudiccs misled me and
have been taught lesson. Hereafte
I'll not he so hasty in estimating peo
c,.<..s..ll., 10 g., r., ba.. mat A. han,