Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1895-02-28
MANDANY's FOOL.
By MARY LOUISE POOL

~ S~> ~~~'S 9ASssANN
tomatoes.
But somebody had heard.
A woman had been sitting IN th'
kitchen with pan Of seek.no- turthel
apples In her lap. She was pairing ant
quartering these, and then stabbln(
the quarters through and stringinG
them on yards Of white twine, pre-
paratory to !estooning them on Thy
clothes horse which stood In the yard
This horse was already decorated pro
fusely In this way. A cloud Of wasp
had flown from the drying fruit h thI
man walked UP the path He swung
of his hat and waved the insectl
away,
II say, have 70 got hungry again fo'
termatersp" he repeated.
Then he ratified the screen, but Il
was hooked on the inside.
lie turned and surveyed the three
windows that were visible In the BIT
Of q house.
"They wouldn't both DO gone y LETT
them apples out" he said to himself.
"1'm bout sure AIMS to home, m she's
the one want to see."
A woman In the bedroom which
opened from the kitchen was huraedly
smoothing her hair and peering Into
the glass She was speaking aloud
with the air Of one who constantly
talks to herself.
"Jest as sure as ! don't comb my
hair the first thing somebody comee.H
She gave last pat and went 70 the
door. There was . faint snirk On her
lips and flush on her tnce,
Her tall figure was swayed BY .
slight, eager tremor rs she sew who
was standing there. She exclaimedi
Goodness mel 'Taint you, MI
Baker, is 1t? Won't 70 talk right inP
But I don't want no termarteraj they
always go aginst me. Aunt Mandany
amt to home"
"Ob, amt sheP' was tho brisk -.
Spouse. "Then ! guess I will come II. !"
The speaker pushed open the pow
unfastened door and entered, He set
his basket Of tomatoes with q thu,np
on the rug, and wiped his broad. red
face.
Fact is," no said with a grin, y
knew she was gone. ! seen her koin'
crost the pastur'. That's why ! come
now. amt got no longin' TO zoe Aunt
Maudany-no, stree, not q grain u
longin' to SEQ her. But thought Y
would agreeable to me TO clap my eyer
on to you."
The woman simpered, made an n.
artioulate sound, ind hpyrledly re-
sumed her seat and her apple pairing,
Wont you se' down, Mr.. BakefR"
she asked.
Her fingers trembleq as she tool TN
darning needle and jhbbed II 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
fadcd already elderly mouth auiv-
cred.
I'm Jest as scar't ON be HI see
blood" she whispered,
Mr.. Darlser's heavy underlip twHched,
his face softened. But he spoke sopgh-
ly.
NYou needn't mind that bit er hlod,'
he said; 'thqt won't hurt nothin', !
don't care If do So down, amt drove
any thia mornin'. lon jest as well 90
not take hold m help 70, ls'pose Man
danv loft Il thunderin' lot for ye to- do
while she's gomez"
Two bushels WIS the answer
Tho old catl That's too much, But
'twon't DO for both of US, will IT, Ann9"
Tho woman said; rNo.'
She looked for IN instant intently Mt
the man who had drawn his chair d.
rectly opposite her. Ile was already
pairing an apple.
I'D know what to make Of 1t, 'fshe
said, still in whisper.
ITO make Of what?" brislly.
why, when folks are so good to mA's
you be-"
"oh, sho', nowl Everybody amt line
your Aunt Mandapy,'
"Shl Don't speak so loud Mcbby'
she'll be comm back
mo, she won't. No matter if.she h.
Tho loud, confident tone rangtcheeri-
ly In the room .
During the silence That followed Mr.
Baker watched AIMS dett fingers.
Everybody says you're real capa.
be-" he rmarked.
A Joyous red covered AIMS face,
~ lest about do all the work here"
she said.
She looked ut the man again,
There was something curlouAy Aweet'
in the simple face, The patient line nf
each side Of the close, pale mouth had
n strange effect upon Mr.. Baker,
lie had been known to say violently,
In conversation Of the store that hel
never seen Ann Tracy 'thout wantin'l
to thrash her Aunt Mandany,'
What In time be YOU dryin' seekuc
furthers ior% he now exclaimed with
some ferceness, They're the --latest
kind Of apples know Of,
That's what Aunt says" WAS The re.I
ply; "she says they're most as Oats j
be, ~ that's fiat nough,"
These words were pronounced "a
though the speaker were merely stat
Ing Q well-known fact,
"Then what she do nm fos9" per-
sisted Mr., Baker,
''she says they're goodApougb to swpp
for groceries In the spring"
Mr.. Baker made q deep cash In aR'
apple and held his toneAe
Ann continued her work, bat shs took
. good deal Of ACKNOWLEDGMENT the