The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1895-07-23

"Fnct is" he said with grin, 'I
knew she was gone. 1 seen her goin'
crost pastur'. That's why I come now.
l amt got no longin' to see Aunt
Mandany no, stree, not Grain of
lonSin' to see her. But / thought t
would be agreeable to me to clap my
eyes on to YOU"
The woman simpcred, made an in
articulato sound, and hurriedly re.
sumed her seat and her apple pairing.
Wont you set down, Mr.. Baker 2"
she asked.
H'r fingers trembled as she took the
darnIng needle and jabbed it through
an apple quarter. The needle went
into her flesh also. She gave little
cry and thrust her finger into her
mouth. Her large, pale eyes turned
wistfully toward her companion. The
faded, already elderly mouth quivered.
''lm jest rs scarf as en- be if l SEQ
blood, she whispered.
Mr.. Bakers heavy underlip twitched :;
his face softened But he spoke
roughly.
you needn't mind that bit er
blood" he said; "that won't hurt
nothin'. | don't care if do set down :;
| amt drove any this mornin'. en-
Jest ms well rs not take hold n help
yc. l spose Mandany left n thunder
IN lot for We to do while she's gomez"
1.-Two bushels, was the answer.
"Ihe old cat That's too much.
But 'twon't be for both of US, will it,
Amp"
The woman said ''No."
She looked for an instant intensely
ut the nan, who had drawn his chair
directly opposite her. He was already
pairing an apple.
"I'd know what to make of it, she
said, still in n whisper
''To make of WHAT" briskly.
"Why, when folks are so good to
me 5 you be-"
ooh, sho', now! Everybody amt
like your Aunt AIandauy."
"Sh! Don't speak so loud! Mcbbv
shall be comm back"
''No, she won't. No matter if she
is.
Tho loud, confident tone rang
chceriIy in the room.
During the silence that followed.
Mr.. Baker watched AIMS deft fingers.
Everybody says you're real cap.
| able, he remarked.
a joyous red covered AIMS face.
81 jest about do all the work here, 8"
she said
She looked at the man again.
There was something curiously
sweet in the simple face. The patient
line Mt each side of the close, pale
mouth had n strange effect upon Mr..
Baker
He lad been known to say violently
in conversation Mt the store that he
"neyer seen Ann Tracy 'thout wantin'
to thrash her Aunt Mandany."
What in time be you dryiu' Seek
no-furthers for?" he now exclaimed
with some fierconess. ''They're the
--LATEST kind of apples know of"
That's what aunt says, was the re-
ply. 'She says there most rs flats
be, n that's flat 'nough.
These words were pronounced rs
though the speaker were merely stat
ing well-known fact.
''Then what she do 'um for?" per
sisted Mr.. Baker.
'She says they're good 'uough to
swop for groceries in the spring"
Mr.. Baker made n deep cash in an
apple and held his tongue
Ann continued her work, but she
| took good deal OF Scek-no. further
with the SKIN in a way that would have
shocked Aunt Mandany.
Suddenly she raised her eyes to the
sturdy face opposite her and said:
81 guess your wife had real rood
time, didn't She, Mr.. Baker, when she
was liviu'?'
Mr.. Baker dropped his knife He
glanced up and met the wistful gaze
upon him.
Something he had thought long
dead stirred in his conscience.
''l hope so,' he said, gently. T
do declare ] tried to make her have
good time.
How longs she bon dcad?'
Most ten yonrs We was Twin
down to Norris Corners then"
The man picked mp his knife and
opsently tried the edge of it on the
ball OF hi5 thumb
81 sposc,' said Ann, thnt folks
are sorry when their wives dio?'
Mr.. Baker gave ~ short laugh.
Wnll, thot depends"
"Dh does it? thought folks had
60 love their wives 'n' DE sorry when
they died.
Mr. Bakcr laughed again. Tie made
no other answer for several minutes.
At last hc said