The free press. (Poplarville, Miss.) 1890-19??, 1895-11-21

style with the new order of things.
A white marseilles counterpane re-
placed the old log cabin quilt, every
square of which had been as an open
book for ''mother" to read. Other
innovations were made throughout,
and then the conspirators paused to
look on their handiwork and take
breath.
'"That's the first work I've done in
twenty years." said Ann Maria, wiping
her flushed face with real lace hand
kerchief, "but I'd just like to see the
dear old couple when they open the
doori"
"Im afraid they'll object to having
the piano out of sight, said one of the
sisters, "but they're sure to like every
thing else. Mother would never let
me touch chair, even to straighten it
out, so l knew the only way was to
take her by surprise. Old folks get
cranky about things they have had u
long time. 1t isn't good for them to
make idols out of old furniture.
II should say not added Ann
Maria, "bcsides, it isn't the fashion
now as it was few years ago. l was
really afraid people would think we
didn't appreciate our old folks to let
them live on among that old rubbish. "
The last finishing touches being ac-
complished, the sisters went to their
respective homes, and at nightfall the
two old folks walked into the domicile
that had sheltered them for forty
years-the dearest spot on earth to
them-home
1t had been planned by their know
ing children that they were to enter
the house clone to intensity the sur
prise in sfoxo for them and enjoy each
others delight over the occasion with
out witnesses.
But they, not knowing this, felt
with the sensitiveness of age o little
hurt and clung closer together as they
entered the dark and silent dwelling,
every step of which was like hallowed
ground to their tired feet.
II most wonder tn girls amt left a
light burnin' for us; this time they
forgot" said the old man as he STUN
bled over n chair.
"You know, father, Ann Maria's
visitln' them-it makes difference"
said the mother in gentle, apologize
tones, that were her wont when de-
Tending "the children"
"Seems right good to be home
again-let's set an rest spell afore
we light up" suggoste d the old man,
dropping into handy chair.
But his form had scarcely touched it
before he Strengthened himself out of
it aud said testify:
'sIt don't seem natral. 1t most
broke my back to set in that cheer !!
Mandy, there's something wrong"
Mandy had been feeling along the
shelf for the candle that year in and
year out stood there like a tallow
sentinel, and had never failed her in
the darkest night She found it, but
not in its old place lit had been moved
a hairs breadth to the left and felt
queer to her touch.
"Gimme match. Eben. / want to
see what like is the can'le. Lord a.
mercy, look at it, man =
1t certainly was not the same brand
of candle that for all these years had
been run in the tin mould behind the.
pantry door. 1t was a gorgeous
twisted design in green wax with yell
low stripes.
"Thats the girls doin's, bet,"
said the old man, putting on his
glasses to take better look at the
intruder. "Gosh! what lookin'
candle.
: AS its rays diffused little through
the room the two old people began to
investigate. They looked around,
thon into each others faces, and both
fear and wonderment were expressed
in their glances.
"Mandy," said the old man at last,
"we've gone and got into the wrong
house."
81 b'leeve it. "feebly answered poor
Landy, ''but then whereabouts is
ours?"
"Let's look at the outside" and
the girls, who were watching at their