Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1892-06-16

the table became crowded THESE ~ Vuiu
were taken to- tho storcroom to wait
the coming Of the great day" And
still the tired and flushed mistress OF
the kitchen went on with her mixing
and tasting and baking
The low, sullcn line OF clouds became
moro mcnacing and crept on until they
had masked the entire sky. The wind
grew strong and was soon filled with
fine particles Of swirling snow, but
Mrs. Bnrten needed not; time was too
precious
ITS growing dark" she grumbled,
as she slid more pans into tho oven;
days are pcsky short this time o. year"
IL was only when fierce gust Of
wind hurled cloud OF snow against
tho window that she looked up.
For the lands sakei" she exclaimed.
Its showing N III lay a dollar them
drafted children's out In It,"
Hurrying TO tho door she called shril.
ly;
"Bobl Lizal March your boots in
hero quicker'n lightningl"
Receiving no reply she mutterod
angrilyi
upstairs rumagin', most likely.
Seems with all my work they might
quit their didoes for awhile"
But when a sharp call up the stairs
failed TO elicit response she began to
look anxious. Throwing n shawl over
her head she went ON into the yard.
The snow was now whirling past In
binding sheets, and tho keen wind out
one like n knife. Already white drifts
were forming In the fence corners and
sheltered places. Objects dozen yards
away were becoming indistinct
A thorough search OF tho yard failed To
show any trace OF the ,childron and sho
returned to the houscNo decide on her
next move. She could not determine
the direction the childish feet had taken
and once out Of sight Of the house she
knew there was little probability OF
their finding their way back by them
selves Tls,rc was no danger Of their
being lost unless they wandered away
from the village, but Liza had scarcely
recovered from the measles and Mrs
Bnrtcn had all the mothers horror OF
wet feet and colds.
A smell Of burning bread drew her
attention to the stove. When she re-
turned to the door she saw bent figure
coming up the path. A moment later
and the old woman stood before her
but now tho ragged shawl was closely
wrapped around one child, while
another chung TO her skirts, sobbinp
bitterly. The strangers face was full
OF a wistful tenderness, but Mrs. lar
ten did not sec IT, Assured Of tho
childrcn's safety, her feelings under
went n quick change. Her child in tn,
arms Of dreaded "furrincr" In
moment she had hurried the little ono
TO the fire and was removing their quito
garments. What contamination an,
disease might not lurls In the ragge,
shawl and drngglcd skirtsl
She was aroused from her reflection
by the entrance Of her husband
"Murc wet feet, ch?" he said, as h
drew chair 10 the stove.
Alters wet feet when there's any
thing tn wet EN- In" she returned
Then, after moment, she nddct
"You go tell the old woman she en-
come In to the fire. Beggars and yous
'uns are enough TO make folks lose the
wits"
81 passed an old woman outside III
gate" he said, MS he took his pipe fro,
the shelf and began TO I'll H. III II
her you mean, she's half down the sire,
before this"
"Thcn I'm shot a. thct trial" N
said, in n relieved tone. "Sume OF III
ncighbors will be sure m take her in.
All night long and the next day an
night the snow whirlcd and driftc
about the village. Then the sun cnu
out md the men and boys took the
teams and shovcls aud began to dI
communications between the house
AS the paths became clear one neigl
Dor after another sailed forth To goss
over the events Of the storm.
At length some one mentioned Il
old bcggnr woman, and then IL WI
learned that no one knew Of her whcr
abuuts; nearly all had seen her, az
most Of them confessed that they Ia
sent her away with flea In her boz
not"
One man thought She went townl
the Freeman house. This was d
serted building just out Of tho villag
without hesitation the mon took the
shovcls and began to dig vigorously
that direction. And Mrs. lbnrten work,
with the foremost.
Lucky there's n good fireplace nj
plenty Of fuel In the old house." sa
one. "Thc old lady can keep warm, b,
| guess she'll be mighty hungry"
When they reached tho house the
was no sign Of its being occuoied
"Shc amt here" said the man wi
had spoken before, us he threw op'
the door.
l!ut lie was mistaken; they found h,
inside. She was dcad.-Kansas Ci
Times.