The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1895-03-26

4Otuu some tiny
green points of crocus and daffodil in
the flower border under the parlor
window.
She smiled to hersclf-there could
be no further doubt that spring WAS
coming, ii only one would let the
tardy goddess take her time about it ::
and she moved in quicker and more
elastic fashion on her way to unlock
the barn. For Uncle Ezra was bad
with the rheumatism that morning.
and Aunt J0cinthN was busy with the
breakfast, and Orrin Parker, who man
aged the farm atfuirs, had gone early
IN the morning to Abbottsville with Il
load of russell apples, so that it de-
ye!Tad on Ursula to unlock the barn
and poultry house.
She had already MIXED the COW. and
unbarred the sheep pen, and thrown
down an armful of hay to old Dobbin,
the donkey, who was DOING in the
sunny angle OF the stone wall, for Ur-
sula Bennett was mono of your fine
ladies who shrek Mt the sight OF IL pair
OF horns and regard donkey's heels
with horror.
AS she fitted the black, cumbrous
old key into the door, plump. Green
and-gold-necked Muscovy duck. with
n tuft of feathers obscuring its ewes.
came quacking around the corner OF
the barn. At the sight OF this fowl.
Ursula stood still; the key nearly
dropped out of her fingers.
Its you, is it, Queen Emma" said
she. LOCKED out Of the barn. And
off your nest all night There, then.
go all my chances OF the
brood of Muscovy ducklings that was
going to sell to Squire Patterson for
five dollars -the five dollars that was
to pay for my surah silk gown to wear
to Ada BloXon's japanese party on St.
Valentines Eve Oh, dear, oh dear I!
it's all your fault, Queen Emma!'
a momentary mist of tears came
into the girls eyes ms she flung wide
open the doors of the barn. "Qucen
Emma waddled in, quackiue giee.
fully, and took her comfortable seat
on the chilled nest of eggs, "just ex.
aetly, as Ursula said TO herself, Gas
II nothing had happened. "
There's an end Of itl' sighed she.
"And ] May as well make mp my mind
to stay ut home. But had thought
SO much OF that JeraDese party-Oh,
dear me !"
Evidently, Aunt Jacintha's thoughts
had been running in the same channel.
for Ursula hid scarcely rc-entered the
house, when the old lady. busted in
breaking eggs into the frying-pan, re.
marked:
"Ain't it most time for that Muscovy
duck O. Yourn Co bring off her brood.
Ursuly? They lndn't ought to be left
down TO the barn; they'll be too yalu-
able for us to risk one OF EN-; and
was thinl,in'-"
''You need not thiukouy more about
it, Aunt Jaciutha.' said Ursula, pite-
ouqly. "Qucen Emma wns locked ont
of the barn last night Tine eggs viii
never hatch uovi"
'Woll, 7 swan 20 cried Aunt Jacin-
tina. "Ain't that % pity? never did
sec such bad luc5l'
Poor Ursula had but little appetite
for her breakfast
But when she went Mp i'm tho gar.
ret, alterward, TO get % bunch Of spcnr-
mint TO make mint ten for L mole Ezra,
% sudden hopo entered into her heart /;
for there, haugirg Zoo 70 suicidal NTH
tude against the side of tho window.
was o. palm-Ieaf patterned dressing
gown, all vivid scur.cts uul crims0us,
with pale blue zig-zags winding in mui
cut among tho pattern, like heat
hghtnings Of summer night
IL belonged 10 Uncle Ezra. and was
sort of relic OF his young days. He
never wore IL, but was always "just
going TO.
''Ihe very thing" said Ursula, with
sudden Sparkle in those dark eyes
Of hers. ''Not exactly Japanese, per
haps but Oriental enough, at oh
eventS- OF course Unc'o Ezra won't
Let M. m he Lnnraa N. hnt ,.h, .hnnIl