Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1892-01-28
HER HUSBANDS NIECE.


George. when did you get this let
ter?' asked Matte Henderson. as she
glanced into her husbands face.
con Wednesday," he said, with some
hesitation.
'.And this is Friday" rebukingly re-
piled lis 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 s o'clock train this
morning, and it is 1880 now. This is a
nice state of affairs, isn't it?''
at was careless of me, Mattie," the
young farmer regretfully admitted.
He was 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.
Size says she'll get off at Forest
station. where you are to meet her"
Mrs. Henderson said, her eyes once
more on the letter.
Ooh pshaw." cried the husband
with an Impotence unusual with him.
al can't | must have nv milk at
Beaver station on time. Why didn't
she come over the road most con-
Renient to meP"
81 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
Grunk with her-a trunk of no mean
dimensions. I'll venture to predict.
am 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
81 hand to anything and will spend her
time reading. sleeping and lolling in
the hammock. She might have waited
20 be asked"
Il know it will prove au infiction,"
She husband consoIingly said but |
guess there's nothing to do but To bear
1t. Things may not turn out 50 bad as
you fancy they will
He "ol into the Wagon and drove off.
Mrs li"nderson walked into the spring
house To chuIm lur 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 il girl.
She was sensible little woman. and
felt that it was her duty to second her
fhrif1} husbands efforts. Leisure if
not competency would come bv and
10y.
In descending the steps of the spring
house she fell and Spraiued her ankle.
the pain being so great that she almost
tainted.
That means Il week of enforced
idleness." she despairingly thought.
Time so precious. and that fashion,
ably reared niece OF Georges more of
a hinderauce than help Oh. deari'
After much painful effort she sue
ceeded in reaching the sitting-room
and threw herself upon the comfort
able lounge. She fell into a doze. and
when She opened her eyes there stood
Fanny Atwood looking down into her
face.
She had on plain, notwithstanding
travelling dress. Her figure was com
pact, her complexion healthy. her air
cheerful. her demeanor self-possessed.
Her cheeks were dimpled, her mouth
indicated resolution. her soft. brown
eyes offered confidence and invited it.
She had walked two miles through the
hot sun over dusty road. but one
would hardly have thought so, she
booked so neat. clean and placid.
you are my Aunt Matte. | sup
poser" she said, in a low sweet voice,
smile lurking among her dimples.
Eyes. Mrs. Henderson said. with an
effort. Your uncle forgot to give me
your letter until this morning. He
could not meet you. because he had to
deliver the milk over at the other rail-
road at the hour you named. | am
sorry YOU had to walk
Il wasn't vexed about it, !" replied the
visitor. Nor am in hurry about
my trunk"
Il sprained my ankle" Mrs. Hen
derson said Il am afraid | will not
be about for three or four days"
That is too bad commiseratingly
reioiued Miss Atwood. 1T seems /
was just in time. can do ever so
MANY things for you
Yes grimly asSented Mrs, Hender-
son.
''rll first look after that ankle" the
visitor said brisklv. cheerfuilv.
She removed her dainty looking cuffs
and then took off her aunt's shoe and
stocking.
''It is considerably swollen" she
said.
Il am not surprised" replied Mrs.
Henderson. You'll find bottle of
liniment in the cupboard yonder."
IL wouldn't put liniment on it just
yet" advised Fanny. Have you any
sugar of lead?'
VERY likely. Look in that medicine
box in the cupboard. There's little
of everything there, almost"
Fanny found the sugar of lead. and
then some linen suitable for bandage.
She put the sugar of lead in a basin,
added cold water soaked the bandage
in it and then wrapped it around the