The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1895-08-08
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MANDANY'S FOOL.
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A Provincial Love Story,

'Ye amt got hungry for terrnaters,
be YEP
Some one had knocked at the screen
door, and, as thee was no response,
a mans striGent, gcod humorcd voice
put the above question concerning to-
matoes.
But somebody had heard.
"A woman had been sitting in the
kitchen with pan of Seek-no- further
apples in her lap. She was pairing
and quartering these, and then stab
bling the quarters through and string
ing them on yards Of white Irvine, pre-
paratory to festooninS them on the
clothes horse which stood In the yard.
This horse was already decorated pro-
fusely in this way. A cloud of wasps
had flown from the drying fruit as
the man walked up the path. He
swung off his hat and waved the in
sects away.
II say, have We got hungry agin for
termaters" he repeated.
Then he ratified the screen, but it
was hooked in the inside
He turned and surveyed the three
windows that were visible in the bit
of house.
''They wouldn't both be goae, n
left them apples out" he said to him
self. I'm bout sure AIMS to home,
m She's the one I want to see.@
A woman in the bedroom which
opened from the kitchen was hurriedly
smoothing her hair, and peering into
the glass. She WAS speaking with
the air of one who constantly talks
to herself.
"Just as sure as I don't comb my
hair the first thing somebody comes"
She gave the last pat and went to
the door. There was a faint smirk on
her lips and flush on her face
Her tall figure was swayed by a
| slight, eager trcmor as she saw who
| was standing there. She exclaimed:
Goodness me! faint you, Mr.. Bak-
er, is it? Won't We walk right in ?
But I don't want no termaters; they
always go ag'inst me. Aunt Mandany
amt to home.'
ooh, amt she?' was the brisk re-
| Spouse. ''Then l guess I will come
ill.,"
The speaker pushed open the now
unfastened door and entered. He SET
his basket Of tomatoes with thumr
on the rung, and wiped his broad, red
| face.
Fact u.s." he said with a grin, 81
knew she was gone. I seen her goin
crost pastur'. That's why l come now
amt got no longin' to see Aunt Man
| dany-nO Stree, not Il grain Of lOngin
to see her. But I thought It would bt
agreeable to me to clap my eyes or
you"
The woman simpered, made an mar
ticulate sound, and hurriedly resumed
her seat and, her apple-paring.
won't you sit down, Mr.. Bakcr?'
she asked.
Her fingers trembled as she took tn,
darning needle and jabbed it through
an apple quarter The needle Wen
into her flesh, also. She gave littl,
cry and thrust her finger into he
mouth. Her large, pale eyes turned
wistfully toward her companion. Thu
faded, already elderly mouth quivered
Pm jest as scarf as en- be if SCI
blood" she whispered.
Mr.. Bakers heavy underlip twitched
her face, softened. But he spok
roughly.
"You needn't mind that bit of blood,
he said; "that won't hurt notAin'.
don't care if I do set down; =! aim
drove any this -mornin'. I en- jest a
well as not take hold n help We.
s'pose Mandany left a thunderin' 10
for we to do while she's gomez
1.-TWO bushels" was the answer.
"The old cat! That's too much. Blu
'twon't be for both of us will it, Ann
The woman said "No."
She looked for an instant intensel
at the man, who had drawn his chat
directly opposite her. He was alread
pairing an apple.
"I'd know what to make Of IT," sh
said, still in a whisper.
'''To make Of what?" brislzly.
''Why, when folks are SO good to m
s you be-"
'''Oh, sho', now! Everybody amt lik
!, your Aunt Mandany."
: Ssh! Don't speak so loud! Mebt
| she'll be comm back"
; mo, she won't. No matter if she is
The loud confident tone rang chez
lily in the room. E..
During the silence that followed, M
Baker watched AIMS deft fingers.
Everybody says you're real cap
> ble," he remarked. .-.... ,
: A joyous red covered AIMS face.
: II Jest about do al the work here
5 CHE said.
She looked at the nan again. Is,