Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1895-12-13

ing and tending
and baking and making for the hungry
Nacl1ett family. She had smoothed
the way down into the valley for her
,,oor, paralytic father, and had paved
the way up the hill of life and into an
education for her brothers and sisters,
and was now thinking of performing
the same office for the motherless chill
'tlren Of an older half brother .
But Corolelia did not look old, in spite
OF the 80 years. Her face was as fair:
roses that essayed to soften and hide
the dilapidated fence; and her eyes
were the same merry, bcwiltering eyes
that had proved the joy and torment of
more than one susceptible heart in the
days of her girlhood. But during these
such things; and her brusque, business
like manner had effectually prevented
:;ldmiring glances from developing into
anything verbal
In spite of it's general air of decrepi
tnde, the Hackett place was very pretty
and homelike. Bright flowers and
clamhering vines had been influenced
by Cordelia to screen the unsightly
spots; and it would have been poor.
he;.rtless sort of mortal who would
have looked behind them for broken
Notwithstanding and tottering piclets.
Eirds seemed to like the arrangement,
for the vicinity was sure to he melodi-
GUS of a bright spring morning; and
butterflies and bees and fragrant odors
also appeared to be we'll suited, for they
could always be found lingering about
the place.
Tap, tap, tap, rang Corlelia's hammer
us she went along the fence, straighten-
ing a slanting picket here and drivinga
fresh nail in place of rusty one there;
and tap, tap, tap, sounded firm, APP
preaching footsteps on the sidwall1
But the artist Of the hammer did not
notice. Her thoughts were busy in re-
viewing the past and in making plans
for the future. The week before, her
youngest brother had gone into the
world to make a place for himself, and
now she was alone-for the first time in
her life. She had thought to remain in
her pretty, yine-coyered cottage and
read and study and do just as she liked.
But only this morning a letter had come
from her brother John, inviting her to
live with him and look after his chill
dren. Well. of course she would 80;
but it was with sharp pang she made
the decision.
Presently the nails gave out, and she
rose with the intention of going after
more. But as she did so, she saw the
figure of man leaning on her gate;
and pair of keen, quizzical eyes were
looking straight into her own.
An angry flush rose to her face, but
was quickly succeeded by look OF
pleased recognition
''For the land sake, Tom Rogers"
she cried, as she stepped forward and
gave him her hand. ''Who ever thought
to see you here! And with such whis-
kers! Why, I declare I scarcely knew
you! Let's see, it's ten years since you
went out west?"
''Twelve, Cordelia; 49," he said, smil-
ingly. "Iou remember it was the year
after father sold his farm. That was
in 's2. Lizzie White had lawn party
the evening before left"
Eyes, l remember" giving him an
arch look. "You went home with Sadie
Adams, and folks did say"
ooh, pshaw, Cordelia!" he remon-
strated, s'you and Sadie were together,
and [ started to go home with both of
you, but that little Ed Purcell came up,
and you went off with him" Then,
with sudden considerations: Ell beg
Your pardon. You-ain't married to
him, are you?' .- ,
Not yet" placidly. "He comes by
every fey months and sort O. beats
round the bush. But, you see, I've had
ALI [ could put my hands to without
thinkin' Of such things" Then, with
gay, ringing laugh: ':But, let's talk
sensible, Tom. I give up marryin' ages
ago How are you gettin' on out west?
When did you come, and how long are
you goin' to stay?"
Just got in, and you're the first per-
son I've talked to-" he answered, gaylv.
Il happened to come this way, and
thought I'd stop for old times sake.
You've got mighty lowery place, Cor
della
Yes, like it. But won't you come in
and sit down on the piazzy while l |
make some cool lemonade? It's pesky |
bot east here"
Don't mind if I do,'' with alacrity.
I amt in no particular hurry, and your
,iazzy looks right cool and inviting.
md besides, I'd like to ask lot of ques-
ions about the boys and girls; what arc
hey doing, and who's married and who
in't?"
He opened the gate and stepped into
he yard, and as he did SO his strong,
aiwart figure showed to it's full adj
.utage. He was more than six feet in
eight, and his clear, ruddy complexion
as the picture of health and good ma ,
Ire. CordeIia's eyes rested on him APP I
Dvingly As they went up the path
e noticed that he walked with firm, I
nfiden. tread, like a man who had met "
e world and conquered it.