The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-01-12

day, when he stepped in to see her,
Doctor Trevor, he's a buildin' the
prettiest wing you ever see. He said
he hoped it wouldn't disturb me none,
but they was in hurry with the al
terations."
"You don't mind it, do you,
mother?"
MRS. Kisbee shook her piteous old
gray head sadly.
NO." said she. 81 like to hear the
hammerin'. "I'm glad Mrs. Trevor's
goin' to have nicer place to work in
than ever l had. Two winders to the
south and a pine floor, with narrow
boards, and spring water brought in
pipes, and range, Georgia range
with hot water b'iler and two big
ovens overhead. And there's to be
varanda all along the east side of the
house, just where | always wanted
father to put up porch, where we
could sit and breathe the fresh air
of evenings like other folks, and two
nice big bedrooms further on. 1
hope Mrs. Trevor'll enjoy EN-"
Mother, Susy says"
Mrs. Kisbee's face hardened.
81 don't want to hear what Susy
says" said she. II oon ~ackon to
go live with you and Susan Stopford.
I'm an old woman, and I've got ways
of my own that | can't give up. Me
and father, we can hire couple of
rooms somewhere, or we can go to
the poorhouse. ] don't want nothin'
to do with daughter-in. law" She
watched her son go down the path.
George has got an orful queer
look in his face" she said. "Mebbe
1 said too much George has always
been good boy, and 1 didn't mean
to hurt his feelin's. But l meant
every word l said"
1t was spring before the alterations
on the house were finished.
Mrs. Kisbee walked through the
rooms with bewildered air.
cts the old home and yet it amt"
said she. 'The new bedroom furni-
ture came yesterday, and two Darby
and Joan chairs for the verandy. an
such pretty kitchen set with new
crockery complete. Mrs. Trevor'll be
a happy woman"
Luke Kisbee stood sheepishly look
ing out of the new south window.
AS his wife came up to him he sud-
denly turned around.
Mother" said he, 81 may swell tell
now as ever. That other property
turned out bad. There want any
good title, it seems, and I've lost ev-
cry penny! Every penny"
Mrs. Kisbee did not answer him.
Her attention was apparently con-
centrated ON something else.
Father" said she, whats them
under the window? Convolvuluses!
This time O year? Why the apples
amt fairly in bloom yet; and here
the convolvulus is four feet high, and
trained on strings already. Who's
that woman down there, workin'
round the roots? Transplantin' them
from a wooden box? True as I live,
why it's Susan Stopford! And there's
George, liftin' another box of 'em out
of wagon. Well, l do declare.
She hurriedly opened the window,
and called cut excitedly, "George!
Georgel Susan! Don't you put all
them plants in the ground Save
one in little fowerpot for me when
| go to the poorhouse!"
Susy Stopford laid down her
trowel
'Mrs. Kisbee-motherl' said she,
in voice so full of tender sympathy
that the old woman involuntarily
held out her hands to her.
Mother" interrupted George, "let
me tell you the story, right here
among the convolvuluses, under the
WINDOW. This is your birthday,
mother. You're 10 years old to-day.
And here are the deeds of the old
home in my pocket. Susy's present
to you, mother. It's Susy that has
bought this place and fitted it up
just as we thought you would like it.
I've been helping her, and Doctor
Trevor was in the plot, And here
you are TO live like queen in your
palace to the end of your days"
Mrs. Kisbee's lip quivered-a flush
rose to her forehead.
81 never thought o that" said she.
at amt dream, is it But II,
won't live here, Susy, unless you
and George will come here and live,
too"
Susy shook her sunshiny head.
George must be near Farley's
Mills" said she. "But We'll come
I I