The sun., 1894-10-14

TIT, Hetta, who was sitting on the side Of tn,
fireplace facing the door, went on demurell
with her work. Susan gave one glance round
! her back was TO the stranger-and then another
aud then she moved her chair little nearer Il
the wall. so as TO give the young man room Il
come TO the FIRE. II he would. He did not come
| but his eyes glanced upon susan Bell, and h,
thought that the old man in New York wa
right. and that the big hotel would be cold and
dull II was pretty face to look on that cold
| evening rs she turned II up from the stocking
| she was mendinR.
"perhaps you don't wish to take winter
boarders. ma'am 2" said Aaron Dunn.
ave never have done so yet, sir" said Mrs
Bell, timidly. Could she let this young wolf
in among her lamb fold2 lie might be a wolf;
who could tell2
Aaron.
Had he acouesccd in her timidity and not
pressed the point, 1t would have been all up
with him. But the widow did not like TO go
against the big uncle, and so she said:
Perhaps It may, sir"
"I guess It will. hnely.- said Aaron. And
then the widow. seeing that the matter was so
far settled, put down her work and came round
into the passage. Hetta followed her, for there
would be housework to do. Aaron gave himself
another shake, settled the weekly number
of dolars-with very little difflculty on his part,
for he had caught another glance at Susan's
face and then went after his bag. Twas thus
that Aaron Dunn obtained entrance into
Mrs. Bells house. "But what II he be a wolf ~
she said to herself over and over again that
night, though not exactly In those words. Ay,
but there Is another side to that question. What
II he be stalwart man. honest-minded, with
clever eye, cunning hand, ready brain, broad
back. and warm heart: in want OF wife may
hap: a man that can earn his own bread and
another's-half n dozen others, when the half
dozen conner Would not that be good sort of
lodger7 Such q question as that, too, did fit,
Just fit, across the widows sleepless mind. But
then she thought so much more OF the wolff
Wolves, she had taught herself TO think, were
more common than stalwart, onest-minded.
wife-desirous men.
IL wonder mother consented to take him."
said Hetta when they were in the room together.
"And why shouldn't she 2" said Susan. "1t
will be help"
"Yes, It will be little help" said Hetta. "But
we have done very well hitherto without winter
lodgers,"
"But Uncle Bell said she was to-"
"what is Uncle Bell to usp" said Hettn, who
had spirit Of her own. And she began to sur
mise within herself whether Aaron Dunn would
join the Baptist congregation, and whether
Phineas Beckard would approve OF this new
move.
"He Is a very we'll l-behaved young man. at any
rate" said Susan. land he draws beautifully.
Did you see those things he was doinR2"
HE draws very we'll. dare say said Hetta,
who regarded this as but poor warranty for
good behavior. Hetta also had some fear of
wolves-not for herself, perhaps, but for her
sister.
Aaron Dunn's work-the commencement Of
~
and he left every morning with a lot Of work.
men by an early train-almost before daylight
And every morning, cold and wintry as the
mornings were. the widow got him his break
fast with her own hands. She took his dollars
and would not leave him altogether to the awk-
ward mercies of Kate O'Brien; nor would she
trust her girls to attend upon the young man.
Hetta she might have trusted; but then Susan
would have asked why she was spared her share
Of such hardship.
In the evening, leaving his work when II was
dark, Aaron always returned. and then the
evening was passed together. But they were
passed with the most demure propriety. These
women would make the tea. cut the bread and
butter, and then sew; while Aaron Dunn, when
the cups were removed would always 60 to his
plans nd drawings.
On Sundays they were more together; but
even on this day there was cause Of separation,
for Aaron went TO the Episcopalian Church,
rather TO the disgust of Hetta. In the afternoon.
however, they were together; and then Phineas
Beckard came in to tea on Sundays, and he /.
and Aaron got to talking on religion; and
though they disagreed pretty much, and would
not give an inch either one or the other, never
theless the minister told the widow, and Hetta,
too, probably, that the lad had good stuff In him,
though he was so stiff necked.
But he should be more modest In talking on
such matters with q minister" said Hetta-
Tho Rev. Phineas acknowledged that perhaps
he should; but he was honest enough to repeat
that the lad had stun in him. perhaps after
all he is not wolf." said the widow to herself.
Things went on In this way for above month.
Aaron had declared 10 himself over and over
again that that face was sweet TO look upon, and
had uncOnsciously promised 10 himself certain
delights in talking and perhaps walking with
the owner OF 1t. But the walkings had
not been Achieved-nor even the talkings
as yet The truth was that Dunn was bashful
with young women, though he could DO 90
stiff-necked with the minister.
And then he felt angry with himself, mas
much as he had advanced no further; and As he
lay in his bed-whch perhaps those pretty
hands had helped to make-he resolved that he
would be a thought bolder In his bearing. He
had no idea Of making love TO Susan Bell; Of
course not But why should he not amuse HIM
self by talking to pretty girl when she sat so
near him, evening after eveningl
What a very quiet young man he is," said
Susan to her sister.
He has his bread 10 earn, and sticks to his
work." said Hetta. mo doubt he has his
amusement when he Is In the CITY," added the
elder sister, not wishing TO leave too strong an
impression OF the young mans virtue.
They had all now their settled places In the |
parlor Hetta sat side of the fire, close TO
the table, having that side 70 herself. There she
sat always busy. She must have made every
dress and bit OF linen worn in the house and |
hemmed every sheet and towel, so busy was she |
always. Sometimes, once In . week or so. Phin- |
sas Beckard would come in, and then place was |
made for him between Hetta's usual seat and |
the table. For when there he would read out |
loud. On the other side, close also 10 the table,
sat the widow. busy, but not savagely |
busy her eldest daughter. Between |
Mrs. Bell and the wall. with her feet ever on |
the fender. Susan used to sit; not absolutely
die. but doing work Of some slender pretty sort