The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-10-13
CHAPTER III.

1t was an October evening nine years
later: the woods had glowed in their red
and yellow splendor all day long; the sun
had set in a rivalry of glory, and now 1t
was getting so cool that few logs were
piled on the wide hearth and a fire kin
died The pitchpine sticks began to
crackle and to ooze at the ends, the blue
smoke whirled upwards in the huge
draught OF the chimney, and Nancy and
Nellie having cleared away the supper
things were seated in small and in
big chair, side by side. face to the blaze.
Nellie's head leaned against Nancy's sub
stantial knee: her silky hair, which
showed some of the colors of the golden
flame at which she was gazing, nor of the
maple leaves which she had gathered
great bunch of that afternoon shone in
the pickering light with a lovely radiance.
Nancy sat back in her chair with her
stout arms folded across her ample waist.
Never was there an old maid who looked
the conventional type less than she. She
was rosy. dimpled, plump and cherry; yet
she was not only spinster of near so, but
she had met with nothing but misfortune
all her life. II is marvel what some
folks can thrive oni
But Nancy had in her bosom the limo
cent and kindly child's heart which was
born with her: she was as much a child
as the little girl beside her. Troubles
could draw tears from her readily enough;
but nothing could make her bitter or sui
len. Her nature was Of the summer quail
fly. sometimes reVerting TO April, but
never contracting into winter. Truly. she
was not armed TO contend with the artful
and selfish world: vet the world could not
hurt her. Her vital spots were beyond the
worlds reach.
Being of such a make, she and Nellie
were full compIn' ons for each ether. Trey
were pair If children. Things Y hich to
others would nave ocen foolish ard trivial
Interested them and made the ST tlect of
their confidential talks. Each loved the
sound of the others voice, ana was secure
in the others sympathy. IL is wonderful
what a mutual comprehension love gives:
the reason is. perhaps, because ii so sim
plifies and Eliminates the ordinary confu-
sion and obscurity of ideas. We arc our
selves the artificers of most OF the riddles
that perplex US.
Nellie. you wouldn't have cared for me
to marry that old Lawyer Corvin, would
you, loVey2'
II gh.' said Nellie. prolonging a cultural
OF disgust. Hes horTid! You don't have
10. DO youn'
No; but he asked me this afternoon"
she gave a Chuckliug little laugh. Il de-
clare, l wonder what allied the man. lie
use 10 be spoouin' around bout twenty or
thirty years ago. but / was young and
smart then. and we was rich. and any
4 l.
So I said 10 him today. l says, Whatever
ails you. Mr.. Corvin? 1 guess may be you
used TO want me for the sake Of my mon
ey,' ] says, but now / says, you've got
the money. and what under the canopy
would you be wanting OF me- SO
laughed. But I thought 10 myself, thinks
l. Well, 1 guess / wouldn't marry man
that was the cause Of my dear boy Tom
gettin' drowned not TO speak OF what
folks said about my poor brother Matt:
not that / b'heve myself II was jest AIR.
Corvin's fault, YOU know; but one feels
things that way. I didn't tell him that;
H. no use hurting folks feelins'
What did ne say
We'll. he sort o come out then; he
SAYS. That's jest IT. he says; YOU amt
got no money, an / hate 70 have II that
way, but what can dO% be says. Here
I've been lendia you money these ten
wears back Nancy he saws, on the : cur
icy OF your land ar cattle an stuff tie
SAYS, an now you amt got nothin more
20 pledge, ana I'll have 20 foreclose on
that mortgage tomorrow he says An
what thought was. Nancy. II you'd have
me. IL would make 1t all smooth and nice
be SAYS. for was aIays fond O you. you
know. an now I've been q widOWer i've
year. an eyerythin's ready FOR you, ef
yOuu come he says. An e you don't
upon my word. / don't see how you're
He hasn't got this house, though. has
he" asked tire child
NO. lovey. ne amt. an that's what !
told him. an I said Ia starFs n X soon
er' sell IL. for IL was Binops' house ever
sence twas built. an I don't consider I've
any right 70 make away with y while
live. Al ! told him. may be the folks
around would give me work 20 DO Any
how. marry ! couldn't. Syn BY he said,
~ ell. / n sorry 10 forec4cse, ne says but
Z can't help e. ] need Some cash 20 put
into new investment he says Al then
he went on 70 tel about q man had come
20 town with a new inveution-sorne way
OF making crops grow with 'lectricity. but
didn't understand how twas BY Cor
yin. ne wanted 10 buy the stock of the In
<eutsou. and rad 20 have cash 50 he
sa.8 II I wouldn't marry him. and didn't
have the money for tire mortgage toner
row Why he'd be sorry. but ne jest De
obliged 70 sell un tie farm an uxin p -
said. Well. 81 you have 10 co H. sell away.
Mr.. Cory1n' / says. an don't you bother
bout Nellie an ne. I says. 4 guess the
Lordn look oat after Us. some way ar
then / to41 nlza q have 70 be settIn' the