The Opelousas courier., 1894-05-26

asked about the children, and waxed
| almost sentimental over a namesake
| of her own. An answer came after so
long a time that Miss Cynthia had
given up all idea of hearing, and had
recovered her usual poise of mind, SO
that she felt ashamed of the burst OF
affection. Mrs. Duncan wrote kindly.
| She said that she had been Kindred
from writing before, but that Cynthla's
letter brought back old times, and
made her real homesick. "1'd like to
see you frst-rate," she wrote. IN the
small and delicate characters taught
forty years ago. "Why can't you
come out and make us q visit. He
would admire to meet you, and [ guess
the children would not quite pull you
to pieces"
Miss Cynthia let the letter fall into
her lap. SID like to CO." she said to
herself. cit 'u'd seem queer t shut
up tn house, an I s'pose 1 couldn't
sleep in a strange bed. But I'd like
t. 60"
Her arrangements was soon made.
The cat, the canary and the goldfish
we're committedto the care of Lucinda
Lockwood, whose Oldest son, accord
ing to the terms of the bargain, was
to go all over the house each day son
account of the insurance"
II may be gone two weeks" she
announced to the neighbors who
focked in to say good-by, "but like
lier it won't be more'n one. 81 amt
used t. bein' away from home"
'tItIl seem awfully queer here with
out you," some one remarked. 1--WE
won't have no place. t run in"
"No," Lucinda Lockwood added;
San I shall miss the smoke out O. tn
kitchen chimbley. I always feel IS if
/ mus look over every mornin' t,
make sure Miss Cynthy amt died in
tn night"
Miss Cynthia's heart glowed at these
tokens of good will. It Yves not the
first time since her mothers death left
her alone that she had vaguely under
stood what she could not express
that the villageli life encompassed herand
cared for her. Then, too, having no
men folks to do for made her lax as to
meal hours, and ready in emergencies.
Every one was free to run in at all
times, and apt to call upon her for any
sudden ~pleasuring or any dire need.
It all was very sweet and dear to her,
now that she was about to turn her
back upon it.
Mrs. Duncan's boy, Addison, met
her at the stations rosy, bashful
fellow, midway in his teens. He took
the company's numerous parcels, and
she found it pleasant to be thus waited
on.
"Your ma mus take a sight O. COM
fort" she observed, walking up the
snowy street, Gin havin' someun t.
fetch n carry for 'er. I wish I had
q grown-up son."
II do know" said the boy, grin
ming shamefacedly; "mebby, if ye
had t. mend my %clo'es, you wouldn't.
You ought to see my stockin's; / go
through them like that" He slid one
hand across the other to express great
speed. mad % come out herself,
he went on, ssbut Benny had an ear
ache n cried"
"Earache? Oh, my! That's dret-
full. Can't ye do nothin' for it?"
The boy stared at her. 81 guess
ye'd think they done somethin' for il
if ye'd heard EN- up las night. Ms
never slep' a wink after Q o'clock"
Miss Cynthia made q sound of sym
pathy by clicking her tongue against
her teeth.
"He will play in the snow, said the
elder brother, disapprovingly, IAN
then he gifts tn earache. There's ms
now, an the kids, in tn window"
There was a prodigious amount Of
giggling and ducking and waving Of
hands. Miss Cynthia was quite be
wildered, and altogether delighted
by it.
"How she has fell off" was her I'M
spoken comment upon her old friends
appearance; and-though that she
could not know-these were the very
words that Sarah was saying to her
self. The one had grown prim ant
precise, and dressedin the quaint styl,
] of her youth. The other wore the ali
of one who knew the world, but hel
hair was roughened by little fingers
her face was worn and thin; and thu
baby blanket pinned across her shout
ders gave her almost on invalid air
The five children were a sheer deligh
to the eye; apple-cheeked and yellow
; haired. Miss Cynthia kissed one afte
the other, though they pulled ava,
i and pounded at her with their small
| fists.
n 1sThey's nothin' like young folks, i,
they?' she said, wistfully.
mo, indeed, they aint!" Mrs
Duncan gave the baby o quick hug
"a house don't amount t much-Liz
J zie, il I see ye lay a finger on your lit
tie brother again
The trio, who were scuf1ing an.
J showing off in the corner tumbled t
j the floor in . confused heap. It tool
J Addison and his mother to d~isentangl
j and shake them out properly. Mis-
) Cynthia remarked upon the big boy
general goodness after he had left th
room.
I He is good. assented the mother
fondly. Giles real good Benn.
leave that cushion be. He amt owe
quick at learnin'. Addy amt; on
him n med like e have him qui
school; he's goin on seventeen. Blu
Samyel1 is all for havin him graduate
It frets me-Lizzie, stop, I tell We
| tn continual time. He's got q cough
for Gil he looks SO rugged. He'd be