Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1895-05-22
MISS MINTURN IN THE GARDEN.

names, which until this moment had
never struck her as being similar.
II said Mary Ann Cotter of the Hol-
low, Mrs. Barry!" she shouted.
The old woman flung up her hands
with a gesture of irritation.
I'm a little hard O. hearin', allow,
but 1 amt so deaf that 1 amt heerd
what you said. Some O. that there
good-smellin' chilli sauce is for Marion
Potter of the Hall. Now you see."
Miss Minturn smiled as she went
back to the stove and fished her net
bag of whole spices out of the thick,
red compound. 1t was useless to i'm
press the truth-to attempt to impress
1t, rather-on convinced Mrs. Barry.
But she made her a cup of tea and
brought out some snowy tea cakes for
her delectation, and listened patiently
and with apparent interest to her bah
BILE, until the prosy soul took it into
her head to depart and hobbled off
down the white, winding road.
A serious look came into Mora Mint
urn's face, as she went on sealing up her
chilli sauce in the wide-mouthed jars
she had saved for the purpose.
Marion PotterI So people had not
forgotten about her engagement to him
twelve years ago. What was the fool
ish trifle about which they had quar-
relied? And she had sent him back his
ring with few bitter words expressive
of her satisfaction at having discov-
cred her mistake in time.
She had been wrong-all wrong. She
had had other suitors after that, to be
sure, but she had found herself compar-
ing them to Marion Potter. invariably
to their detriment, and had discour-
aged all such attentions. And now
that her mother was dead, and all the
boys were gone and married, and she
lived alone in the cozy little homestead
with only the orphan nephew she was
bringing up, she found it lonely at
timeS-very lonely.
Walking across the kitchen she re-
garded her reflection in the little wal
nut-bound mirror that hung near the
window. The face that looked back at
her was fresh, unwrinkled and pink
checked, despite her thirty-six years.
Her simple, active, kindly life had kept
her youthful in mind and body. But
she sighed as she turned away.
At that hour, Marion Potter, hand
some, brown-bearded, gallant of bear
ing, was riding his huge black horse
slowly homeward through the mellow
sunset light. Many a maiden had sent
him shy glances of imiration; many
who would have Leen honored by his
homage, since those old days when he
was known as the lover of Mora Mint
urn. But he was not the man to give
his heart twice, nor to do a woman the
injustice of offering her mere affection.
So, surrounded by his books and dogs,
he lived out his own life at his beauti-
full home on the hill.
"Halloi Look outr' he cried, sud
denly refining up. by George, but 1
nearly rode over your
The old woman coming toward him,
who had so unexpectedly darted for
ward almost under his horses hoofs,
lifted a complacent countenance,
framed in by an antiquated poke bon
net, as she demanded:
Don't you want TO hire my sister
James Eliza, Mr.. Potter?'
mo" roared Mr.. Potter, who was
aware that she was a little deafer than
the proverbial post. why should L?
have three servants now"
Mrs. Barry comprehended. but she
went on persistently:
But James Eliza can cook, Mr.. Pot
ter. An If you take her, you wouldn't
have to be havin' your chilli sauce made
out by Mora Minturn.'
Mr.. Potter gave a start
Eth? Steady. Kate, What were you
talking about. Mrs. Barry?''
Mrs. Barry did not hear him. She
mumbled on. however. and he listened.
Says / to her. when I happened in
there just now. BE you goin' to eat all
that chilli sauce yourself this winter
An she lowed that she was maxim
some of it for you. Now, if your help
amt able to do that much 'ithout your
givin' 1t out, just think 1t 'ud pay you
to have James Eliza do your cookin'."
Mr.. Potter nodded leniently. He
swerved his horse to one side, smiled
back at Mrs. Barry and rode on. Mora