The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1894-11-30

lCl AlttAC
neighbor grew nervous and fretful
watching her; SO one afternoon she
crossed the lawn. and entered at the
gate that divided the two yards and
was not often opened.
81 couldn't see you work yourself to
death without making protest.
What's the use of it? What will
Eunice say?" Mrs Ainslee began.
I'm just done now. And I'm SO glad
you come over. Mis- Ainslee; want to
talk to you. Jest wait minute till /
make myself a mite presentable; set
here on the porch, won't you, where
it's cool?"
When. ten minutes later, the two
women had settled down to their knit
ting, the usual prelude to confidential
talk, Mrs. Evans fingers did not move
with their accustomed eve1ness and
precision. In fact they trembled per-
ceptibly, and allowed three stitches to
drop in as many minutes.
"Wellr' she exclaimed. impatiently
dropping the knitting in her lap,
there's no use in my pretendin' to
work; / can't. Lifts about Eunice l
wanted to talk to you. Mis- Ainslee,'
she went on hurriedly. II suppose,
now, you've got your invitation from
Mis- Gildersleeve before now?"
"Yes; I've had it week or more"
al want to know" Mrs Evans
plated her apron between her fingers
and looked at her visitor with
troubled eyes. There amt none
come for Eunice-I haven't heard an
other word about it. Don't you think
it's strange, if so be she wanted Eunice
to Gomez"
Mrs. Ainslee did not know what to
SOY 1t certainly was queer, if Mrs.
Gildersleeve really wished the girl to
come that she had sent her no invita-
ton. She remembered now what
somebody had told her once. that the
| lady in question was whimsical
prone to take sudden fancies and to
forget them as suddenly. But, on the
neighbours eyes were fixed upon her.
as if reading her thoughts.
while it does seem little strange,
it is probably only mistake" she re-
piled. You see there were great
many notes to be sent out, and
Eunice's may have been overlooked"
Il dom KNOW don know. Seems
to me if she wanted the girl to come
she might "a let her know what was
expected of her. and give her mite
of encouragement. KNOWN that she's
different from the rest of the COM
pany that's likely to be there-that
she's poor, mean-for Eunice is just
as good and as ladylike as anybody"
.She is, indeed" cried Mrs. Ainslee,
warmly.
But yesterday" resumed Mrs. Ev-
ans, lowering her voice, Il met Mis-
Gildersleeve in her carriage, and she
looked at me so curious and cold-like.
| First she seemed as if she was goin'
to speak, but then she said something
to the coachman and only just bowed.
Then | give up hope. | don know
what to say to Eunice-she writes me
every time to know if Mis- Glider
| sleeves sent an invitation, and here /
haven't answered her letter for four
days because I'd no good news to tell
her. I've got SO fdgety and anxious
hopin' against hope every day that
some word'll come that I'm all tuck
cred out. It'll be a dreadful blow to
| the child: for she's set her heart on
bein' a great singer. Oh, dear. / just
can't tel her." she broke off with;
land thought, Mis- Ainslee-I thought
perhaps you'd write to her and tell her
kind O. gradual like. You can write
letter that won't hurt the child like
my blunt tellin' of it would. and
She stopped suddenly and listened.
A quick, light step sounded on the
garden path. and presently a bright
young face. with anxious eyes, con-
at each other guilty.
| Mother
There was a sharp ring which
threatened tears in Eunice's sweet
voice.
why, my dear girl-my dear girl!
| What's the matter?"
They chung to each other for mo-
ment. when Eunice put her mother an
arms length away, and looked at her
searchingly.
Why haven't YOU written to me in
| four days?" she asked, with pretty
severity.
Mrs. Evans eyes fell beneath her
daughters scrutiny.
I've been awful busy, Eunice. Mrs.
| Ainslee can tell you how busy I've
BEEN she said. humbly, picking a
speck off her dress
But you might have sent me a
postal card it isn't so very long, /
| know -four days"-she said to Mrs
Ainslee, with an apologize smile; but
she never lets two days pass. and
worried till had to come home"
Mrs. Ainslee tried to smile brightly
in reply: but the thought of what the
next few minutes had in store for the
girl made fat failure of the praise
worthy effort. seeing which Eunice
| became grave again.
Have you seen Mrs Gildersleeve,
mother" she asked.
| Yes; I've seen yer.
What did she say?"
MY dear, she-she didn't say any
thing"
Eunice's face turned white.
Didn't say anything; not anything
about-the day after tomorrow"
Not a word" answered Mrs Evans.
| steadily. determined to get the thing
over with.
Then she doesn't wish me to come"
said Eunice, family, with piteous
glance from her mother to her friend.
'.She may have forgotten" said Mrs.
Ainslee, soothingly. Don't take it to
heart. my dear" for great tears were
gathering in the girls eyes and drop
ping noiselessly to the floor.