The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1894-12-26

her mind. Presently, however, Mrs.
Bridges said, in less determined tone.
| There's no place to put her exceptin'
in the spare roo an we can't get
along without that, no ways"
NO" said Isaphene, in a non
committal tone.
Mrs. Bridges stopped chopping al d
looked thoughtfully out the door.
" There's this re ON openin' out o the
kitchen" she said, SLOWLY. els nice
an big an sunny. 1t 'u'd be handy n
winter, too, bein' right off the kitchen.
But it amt furnished"
mo" said Isaphene, " it amt"
d" An l know your paw wouldn't fur
nish it,"
Isaphene laughed. emo, 1 guess
not" she said.
Well, there's no use a-thinkin'
about it, Isaphene; we just can't take
her. Better get them potatoes on; l
see the men.folks comm up to the
barn"
The next morning after breakfast
lsaphene said suddenly as she stood
washing dishes, NAV, guess you bet
ter take the organ money an furnish
up that room"
Mrs. Bridges turned so sharply she
dropped the turkey-wing with which
she was polishing off the stove.
{" You don't never mean it," she
gasp.d.
Yes, dc. / know we'd both feel
better to take her in than to take in an
organ they both:laughed rather fool
ishly at the poor joke. You can fur
nish the room real comf'terble with
what it 'u'd take to buy an organ; an
we can get the horse an buggy, too"
"Qh, lsaphene, I've never meant
but what you should have en olganl
No, won't never spen' that money for
nothin' but an organ--so you can just
shet up about it,"
l want horse an buggy worse,
NAV. We can get a horse that | can
ride, too. AM wen get phaeton, SOS
we can take Mis- Lane to church an
round" Then she added, with reg
ular masterpiece of diplomacy, Well
show the neighbors that when we do
take people in, we take 'em in all
over"
ooh, Isaphene," said her mother,
weakly, wouldn't it just astonish
'eml"
1t was ten O'Clock of the folio wing
morning when Isaphene ren in and an
nounced that she heard wheels coming
up the lane. Mrs. Bridges paltd lit
tie and breathed quickly as she got her
bonnet and went out to the gate. A
red spring wagon was coming slowly
toward her, drawn by a single horse.
The driver was half asleep on The front
seat Behind, in low chair, sat old
Mrs. Lane; she was STOPPING over her
elbows on her knees, her gray head
bowed.
Mrs. Bridges held up her hand, and
the driver pulled in the not reluctant
horse.
"How d'you do, Mis- Lane? 1 want
you should come in an visit me a
WHILE"
The old creature lifted her trembling
head and looked at Mrs. Bridges; then
she saw the old house, half hidden by
vines ard flowers, and her dim eyes
filled with bitter tears,
eve amt got time to stop, ma'am,"
said the driver, politely. " Pm a-takin'
her to the county, he added, in lower
tone, but not so low that the old woman
did not hear.
"You'll have to make time" said
Mrs. Bridges, bluntly. You get
down an help her out. You don't
have to wait. When Pm ready for her
to 60 to the county, I'll take her my
\ SELF
Not understanding in the least, but
realizing, as he said afterwards, that
she "meant business !" and wasn't the
kind to be fooled with, the man obeyed
with alacrity.
| Nnu yo,, lam uon- boT+ -
said Mrs. Bridges, kindly. She put her
arm around the old woman and led her
up the hollyhock path, and through the
house into the pleasant kitchen.
Isaphene, you pull that big chair
over here where it's cool. Now, Mis-
Lane, you set right down an rest"
Mrs. Lane wiped the tears from ner
face with an old cotton handkerchief.
She tried to speak, but the sobs had to
be swallowed down TO fast. At last
she said, IN enc 6ed voice: "Its aw-
iui goou III yeu--to let me see the old
piace- once more. The Lord bless
! .,ou--tor it'll But Pm most sorry |
stopped -seems now 3 if Just couldn't
go on now"
"Well, you amt goin' on" said Mrs.
Bridges, while Isaphene went to the
door and stood looking toward the hill
with drowned eyes. "This is our little
joke-Isaphene's an mine. This'll be
your home g long 3 its our'n. An
you're goin' to have this nice big room
right off the kitchen, IS soon's we can
furnish it up. Wen have to put you in
the spare room for week or two,
though. An we're goin' to get horse
an buggy-a loo buggy, SOS you can
get in an out easyike--an' take you to
church an all 'round."
That night, after Mrs. Bridges had
put Mrs. Lane to bed and told her good
night, she went out on the front porch
and sat down; presently, remember
ing that she had not put candle in the
room, she went back, opening the door
noiselessy, not to disturb her. Then
she stood perfectly still. The old
creature had got out of the bed and was
kneeling beside it, her face buried in
her hands.
t.Oh ord Cod - sha was aavino