The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1891-10-30
TWO YANKEE WOMEN.

u up At once Hannah DOble, the
widow Doble said. jerking out her
words between the thumps OF the sad
iron with which she was ironing q
linen ulster. JEFF Larkin amt no
sort Of steddy company fur my darter. "
and the iron came down with an ex-
ira crash. and the widow lifted 1t with
IN an inch OF her cheek. and deciding
that 1t was too cool for further use
carried It to the stove and took up an
other.
Meanwhile Hannah steadily bent
her head over the sewing machine at
which she sat and said nothing.
''You are paying attention to me
Hannah Jane Doble?" queried the
mother.
Yes, mother hear. " said Hannah.
Mrs Doble felt that this was all that
was necessary. Her word was law,
and Hannah never answered back.
'1f didn't forget said Mrs Do
BILE II can't cut two sleeves out of
what IL left OF the pattern. nohow, and
seein' it's blindman's holiday you
might as well take the time TO run to
the store and get yard or two more.
l dunno whether TO tell you to tell
Priscilly Coots that she gave me short
measure or not Ef I was goin' my
self I'd do IL sure. but bein' you air
young dunno as 1 orter tell you to
sass an elderly person, but you might
kinder look so, and it would not be no
harm If you said that usually twelve
good yards made you muslin dress.
/ You heard what 1 said Hannah
JaneP" queried the widow.
/ Yes, ma, heard" said Hannah.
and went to the door. There she
stood quite still for a moment then
came back, bent over her mother and
kissed her.
| Kissing was an unusual proceeding
in that household but this was an un-
usual occasion perhaps and the wild
ow patted the girls soft, pink cheek
and held her slim hand a moment
You know its only for your good.
Hannah Jane she said gently. Il
wouldn't want you.to have to bear what
some does. l knowed JEFF Larkin's
pa and his uncle. He takes after
them two men like peas In pod take
after each other. He amt fit for a
good gal like you, Hannah Jane Do
! ble."
! The widow went to the window and
watched her daughter out of sight
Despite the typical New England cold
ness of her manner, she loved that
slim. pretty. pink and white girl of
hers devotedly, and 1t was no caprice
that made her roughen the course of
what in Hannah's case was certainly
true love
| Then she began to set the tea-table.
! III get out some plum sass" she
| ooiA fo1lyinr 20 hav5alF land
! but we might as we'll eat up the pound
cake Hannah is favorite of sweets"
! She hustled about, making the meal
as tempting as possible, forgetting the
old days of her girlhood. when little
TN with young John Doble could take
away her appetite, thinking to make
serves and pound cake. 1t grew dark
and she lighted the lamp. but she did
not draw down the shade. It seemed
to her that it would be more cheerful
! for Hannah, coming up the lane. to
see the warm glow from the keeping
room window. Hannah stayed longer
than she thought she would.
She's stopped somewhere or other
| I suppose" she said. But that ain (
! like my Hannah Jane, neither"
| Oub bu6 lQLO the garden,
fearing to leave the gate lest the
| girl should come home while she was
away. But the o'clock bell rang out
and still she stood there chilled
through and through. but most of all
cold at heart
| She had gone down to the village By
the cross roads; she had called her
daughters name over and over again,
returning always to the gate always
peeping into the window to see II Han
nah had returned Now she bethought
her of a neighbor who would help her
hunt for Haunah-who had men and
dogs and lanterns at command. The
awful stories told OF girls found MUIR
dered in lonely places were making
the poor woman i'll with terror and
OF she went again.
| The clock was striking ten; the
| farmer was making the last rounds of
stable aud yard with his little son at
| bis heels.
! "Halloo Mrs Doble!'' he cried.
Nothing wroug?"
| Yes she answered, grim and gray
/ in her mortal anguish Yes. Hannah
Is missing-my Hannah-sence o.
clock-sence anyway. Shed been
/ TO the store-rm thinkin' of tramps-"
| Good Ludr' cried the farmer. oh
I hope not Mrs Doble-I hope notr'
| Nothing Is the matter Mrs Do
bla" cried the boy at his fathers side
..Miss Hannah has gone on the cars
I saw her 1t the depot She was
along with Jeff Larxin. Seven o'clock
train they took She had quite . siz-
able bag. for saw her get IL from the
baRgagemaster. like he'd been keeping
is for her"
| Nothing the matter" the child
had said In his ignorance; but the