The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-02-28
happiness had always been in minis.

WIN inc hrst light OF morning she
woke again. Somewhere rooster
was Growing, with as vigorous and
hearty n cheer as ever a 5arn-yard
fowl broke into the dawn.
She listened, but there was no an
swcring call; just that ono repeated
over and over again.
We'll, Incvcr heard the like! Seems
as If he was just put there to wake mo
up to think what want to get away
from. l don't sec how he has any
heart to crow into all this hollowness"
The deep grassy yard around her old
home, heavy with dow, and the early
morning music of the farm, came so
clear to her. Thoughts of the forty
years of her married life and the joys
and sorrowsshc had lived through with
Thomas crowded again into her mind
Alter long hours, when she heard the
servants stirring about the house, she
got up and dressed. and went out into
the hall and down the stairs. The
great rooms below seemed more
empty and dcsolate than her own
she felt no part or place anywhere in
them. Her stopped little figure, re-
Elected in the long mirrors, looked
dwarfcd and unnatural to her. She
Strengthened the lavender bows OH
her cap before one of them, and went
and sat down ut Il window in the bacl1
OF the room.
The carly morning hours until now
had always been so full of duties
There had been the brcakfas to rct
for Thomas; and before her two daurn-
tcrs had married and gone away She
had had her thought and care for them
and there had been the chickens to
feed and the mill; to skim
She folded her hands and looked out
OF the window. There was Il small
yard, high walled, with two trees. and
worn grass growing around the edges.
a box with Stats nailed across the
front stood under one of the trees, and
thrusting his head between the Stats
was the rooster who had disturbed her
rest.
IF could get down to You I'd let
you out, you poor creature" she said
aloud.
"Wcll, you'd have Eillic Moore after
you if you did, grandma" One Of her
grandsons had come into the room
"Whats the sense in lis shutting
that rooster mp that way? lie couldn't
get away ii he wanted to, over those
brick walls"
Il don't know. Billie only got him
yesterday. rhe old thing woke me up
at daylight"
"IIc woke me up. too" she said, with
4 weary sigh
breakfasts ready; they're all at
the table. Mamma sent me TO look for
YOU"
II didn't suppose it was so late"
They went out to the table in the
large dining-room, where the others
were waiting. A servant was bringing
in the breakfast This was always a
happy meal in this happy family.
Matte and her husband talked of their
own interests and the three boys kept
up Il steady little stream OF convcrsa-
ton.
They were all very kind and thought
full OF her, and she condemned herself
for her feelings Of separation and lone
Illness. She tried to believe that She
was beginning to find her place in this
home which was not her own.
After breakfast she wandered rest
lcssly about the house for some time.
and ut last put Oh her bonnet and
shawl, and said she was going out for
Il little walk.
Matte offered to go with her, or send
one OF the boys
NO, ! want to go alone. I don't
want to be dependent for every step I
take. There don't seem 10 be anything
for me to do in the house. I've got to
get out and breathe or I'll chafc"
Il wish you'd let me send Mary with
YOU, anyway, mother. I'll worry all
the time about yOu.'
Mrs. Allen turned toward her daugh.
ter, the tears springing to her eyes
"Wcll, Matte, | amt so helpless need
Il nurse to trundlc me around vet"
why, mother l didn't mean YOU
were, but You know, it isn't like going
out into the country alone"
NO, it amt" Mrs. Allen said, turn
ing away.
She went on out OF the front door,
and down into the noisy street There
was Il freedom in its strangcness that
she had not found in the big house
She walked straight on for some dis
lance, until she came out into one of
the main business streets of the city.
1t was only one of our small western
cities, but it lost none CT it's Importance
to her in not being London.
INC croWu 1oStlng past had the
bright activity and untricd interest of
the morning. a stream OF shoppers
was already beginning TO pour into tic
stores. The street was full of cars ard
carts and farm wagons
She had driven in from the farm with
Thomas and reached the city at lust
this hour many times 1t was all fami-
lar to her in that way. They had
brought in butter and eggs or load of
grain, and done their shopninr. Or