The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1895-07-23

what would it amount to, 1 should
like to know? 1t wouldn't amount to
a row of pins"
Ann dropped her work and clasped
her hands. Mr.. Baker saw that her
hands were hard, and stained almost
black on fingers aud thumbs by much
cutting of apples.
Eye see" she said in tremulous
voice, sometimes L think il mother
had lived she'd treated me soft could
think stiddier. L s'pose mother'd
loved me. They say mothers do. But
Auut Mand0ny told me mother died
the year L got my fall from the cherry
tree. l was eight then. 1 don't re-
member nothin' bout it, nor bout
anything much. Mr.. Baker, do you
remember your mother?"
Mr.. Baker said eyes" ABRUPTLY.
Something made it impossible for him
to say more.
'Td know how It's" went on the
thin minor voice; but it always did
seem to me s though if l could remem-
Der my mother l could think stiddicr.
Do you think l could?"
Mr.. Baker started to his feet.
"I'll be blamed f l en- stan it," no
shouted. 'No, nor l won't STAN it,
nuther!"
He walked noisily across the room.
He came back and stood IN front of
Ann, who had patiently resumed
work
"Come, he said, az think lot of
We. Les git married. -
Ann looked up. She Strengthened
herself
Then I should live with you?" sho
asked.
"Of course"
She laughed.
There was so much of confident
happiness in that laugh that the man S
heart glowed Youthfully
81 shall be real glad to marry you,
Mr. Baker" she said.
Then, with pride, "'N' can cook,
N know first rate how to do house
work"
She rose to her feet and flung up
her head.
Mr.. Baker put his arm about her.
Les so right along now" he said,
more quickly than he had yet spoken.
"We'll call to the minister's n engage
him. You en- stop there. Well he
married today
Cant We wait till l en- put on my
bunuit n shawl?" Ann asked.
She left the room. In n few mo
mcnts she returned for going. She
had n sheet of note paper, bottle OF
ink and pen in her hands.
81 en- write" she said confidently,
"'n' call it fairer to leave word for
Aunt Mandany."
"All right, " was the response; 'go
ahead"
Mr.. Baker said afterwari that he
never got much more nervous in his
life than while Ann was writing that
note. What if Mandany should APP
pear? He wasn't going to back out,
but he didn't want to see that woman.
The ink was thick, the pen was like
pin, and Ann was good while max
ing each letter, but the task was ut
last accomplished
She held out the sheet to her com
panion.
"Ain't that right?" she asked.
-hi' DHAtl bLGN his ldCc uONH SOL
emily as he read:
Dere Ant Madame: I'm so drcttful Tired
oI bceing you're fool that imc going too bo
Mr. Bakers. Tie askt me. ANN.
"That's Jest the thing" he said cx.
plosively. ''Now, come on.
As they walked along in the hot fall
sunshine Mr. Baker said earnestly:
m certain sure we sh'll be ever
so much happier.
SON |, " Ann replied, with cheer
ful confidence.
They were on lonely road, and
they walked hand in hand.
'Tm goin' to he cool to yc," said
the man with still more earnestucss.
Theu, in n challenging tone, as if adj
dressing the world atlnrge: 81 guess
'taint nobody's business but our'n.
Ann looked mt him and smiled trust.
fully.
After awhile he began to hugh.
"im thinkin of your Auut Man.
danny when she reads that letter" he
eXplained.--The Chap Book.