Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1892-01-02
THE DARKEST HOUR
Is JUST BEFORE DAY.


by walking-dress.
Not going OUT" Abbie Draper re-
peated, in tone OF strong surprise.
"Why what put that into your head,
Aunt Ellen? have all my lessons to
give
.'All yourlessons' Do you mean to
tell me you are going TO teach, now2'
Not after the holidays, perhaps.
But | cannot leave all my classes ut
moments notice. Think how kind
my friends have been in getting pupils
for me. must keep my place until
they find another teacher. Then,
and Abbie drew deep breath, as il
some vision OF rapture hoated before
her eyes.
well, what them" asked Miss
Draper
ooh, cannot tell you We will go
to Europe We will have the prettiest
home we can find. We will live in the
country, auntie. am so tired oIcity
liie"
She looked, in spite OF the excite
meut with which she spoke, rs II she
were tired OF everything sweet face,
not much past girlhood, four-OrtiVe
and-rwenty, but thin. pale, weary
looking, as ii too heavily burdensd.
Never very strong. though not sickly,
Abbie Draper had lived life otpetted
ease-the darling OF her father and
Aunt Elen-until she was eighteen.
Two events happened then, following
each other rapidly; Carroll Moves, her
boy companion and dearest friend,
had lett his home suddenly, she knew
not why; and her father had died,
after q very brief illness, bankrupt
Bankrupt There was nothing lett
OF all the wealth he was supposed to
possess, and his sister and daughter
were thrown upon the world as desc
late and helpless pair OF women as
ever struggled for life against poverty
and toll. Friends came forward and
found some scholars in German and
music for Abbie, and Miss Ellen kept
house on floor in q crowded tene-
ment house and did fancy work dur
ing he intervals between cooking and
sweeping.
Dclicately nurtured women, who had
lived in purely country air all their
lives. in the luxurious home ut sunny
dale, that John Draper called his .'lit-
tie place" they sank slowly under he
burdens laid upon them, lost flesh and
color, appetite and Sleep, and kept up
forced cheerfulness only when they
were together
Six years OF poor food, close air,
steady toll and insufficient clothing
had made Abbie pale and thin, with
sad, wistiul eyes and pathetic lips, in
stead OF bright, rosy-cheeked girl,
full OF animation, eager and impetu-
Gus. as she had been in the old days
at Sunnydale
Miss Draper sat idly looking at her
a. she made her preparations to 90
out, her hands, usually 50 busy,
crossed in her lap, her head resting
against a corner OF the bureau.
Europe! Country house. Rest
Quiet She said III dreamy way
quite unlike her brisk tone 1T sound:
delicious, Abbie, But in the mean
time, dear, your boots are all broken
your overshoes not much better, anC
your ulster is marvel OF shabbiness.
I'VE will make that all right soon
auntie, NJ. Sanderson writes that h'
will send me money next week
Money! Do you understand, Aunt
Ellen? Think OF it, No more worry
over the rent; no more ,craplng anC
saving; no more twisting every dim
round and round to see how to &c
the most out of it, We are rich"
And yet you will 60 out to-day t.
teach in all this rain and 5lush; anc
YOU look Just fit to 20 TO bed thi
minute"
1T is only for a little while, auntie
will ask all my pupils to-day to fin
new teacher as soon as possible.
She pressed a soft, tender kiss upoi
her aunt's lips as she spoke and wen
out OF the room, down three long
narrow flights OF uncarpeted stair
and out into the cold, raw, Novembe
drizzle, with the payements a slipper
mass OF mud and snow.
And Aunt Ellen, still sitting idly j
the same place and attitude, wa
thinking:
ut is lucky ones wishes do no
come to pass sometimes. Here
have been for six years wishing job
had not sent Carroll Noyes ava
without telling Abbe he loved her. II
lliSllg DANC ElNNli Iltt 'tlii'A q i4CiAi'
even If q poor one and am sure 81
cared for him. But now. Why, wit
all her Uncle Paul's money, she en-
marry anybody. Let her get bac
her color and dress handsomely an
there will not be more attracti'
girl in society, And Mr.. Sanderso
thinks he can buy Suunydae, Ho
our old friends will welcome Abb
tnr Yt.l
did not desert Us in our poyert,
Ali, how glad | am for her. No mo-
poverty, no more freezing and star
ing! Pil begin to-day, There is Il
and the child shall have
good dinner when She comes home,"
Reused to activity by tins though
Miss Draper hustled about, put Il
ND oil l-a