Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1895-08-08
MANDANY's FOOL.
A Provincial Love Story.
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A Provincial Love Story.
I'VE amt got hungry for termaters,
be YEP
Some one had knocked at the screen
door, and, as there was no response,
a mans strident, good humored voice
put the above question concerning to-
matoes.
But somebody had heard.
AWoman had been sitting in the
kitchen with a pan of Seek-no-further
apples in her lap. She was pairing
and quartering these, and then stab;
ping the quarters through and string
ing them on yards of white Irvine, pre-
paratory to festooning them on the,
clothes horse which stood in the yard.
Ihls morse was already decorated pro-
fusely in this way. az cloud of wasps
mad flown from the drying fruit as
the man walked UP the path. He
swung off his hat and waved the in
sects away.
Il 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 gone, m
left them apples out" he said to him
self. "Im bout sure AIMS to home.
m she's the one 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.
Gust as sure as I don't comb nv
hair the first thing somebody comes"
She gave the last pat and went to
the door. There was faint smirk on
her lips and a flush on her face.
Her tall figure was swayed by q
slight, eager tremor as she saw who
was standing there. She exclaimed:
Goodness me! 'Taint you, Mr.. Bak-
er, is it? Won't We walk right in?
But 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 I guess I will come
in"
The speaker pushed open the now
unfastened door and entered. He set
his basket of tomatoes with a thump
on the rung, and wiped his broad, red
face.
"Fact is" he said with grin, 81
knew she was gone. I seen her goin'
crost pastur'. That's why I come now.
l amt got no longin' to see Aunt Man
dany-no stree, not a grain Of longin'
to see her. But I thought It would be
agreeable to me to clap my eyes on
you.'
The woman simpered, made an mar
ticulate sound, and hurriedly resumed
her seat and her apple-paring.
Wont you sit down, Mr.. Baker?"
she asked.
Her 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.
"Im jest as scarf as en- be if see
blood" she whispered.
Mr.. Bakers heavy underlip twitched:
her face softened. But he spoke
roughly.
"You needn't mind that bit of blood"
he said; 'that won't hurt nothin'. I
don't care if l do set down; l amt
drove any this mornin'. 1 en- lest as
we'll as not take hold m help We.
s'pose Mandany left thunderin' lot
for We to do while she's gomez
1.-Two bushels" was the answer.
'"The old cat! That's too much. But
'twon't be for both of us will it, Ann?"
The woman said "No."
She looked for an instant intensely
at the man, 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 a whisper.
ITO make Of what?" briskly.
"Why, when folks are so good to me
IS you be-"
"Oh, sho', now! Everybody amt like
your Aunt Mandany."
Ssh! Don't speak so loud! Mebbe
she'll be comm back"
mo, she won't. No matter If she u.s."
The loud confident tone rang cheer
lily in the room.
During the silence that followed Mr..
Baker watched AIMS deft fingers.
Everybody says you're real caps.
ble," he remarked.
A joyous red covered AIMS face.
II lest about do al the work here"
she said.