The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1895-11-27

Inc llRuL lhueu OuJ VI uOOro, anu
again Mrs. Robb's troubles stood be-
fore her. Yet it was not 30 dark as it
had been in her sad heart. She still
sat by the window, hoping now, in
spite Of herself, instead of fearing; and
a curious feeling of nearness and
expectancy made her feel not 30 much
light-hearted as light-headed.
81 feel just as if somethin' was goin'
to happen" she said "Poor Johnny
Harris, perhaps he's thinkin' o. me, if
he's alive" 1t was dark now out of
doors, and there were tiny clicks
against the window. 1t was beginning
to snow, and the great elms creaked in
the rising wind overhead.
CHAPTER III.
A dead limb of one of the old trees
had fallen that autumn, and, poor fire.
wood as it had been, it was Mrs. Robb's
own, and she had burnt it most thank
fully. There was only small armful
left, but at least she could have the
luxury of fire. She had feeling that
it was her last night at home, and with
strange recklessness she began to fill
the stove as she used to do in better
days.
tn get me good an warm" she
said, still talking to herself, as lonely
people do, "an' I'll go to bed early.
It's comm on to storm"
The snow clicked faster and faster
against the window, and she sat alone
thinking in the dark.
"There's lots of folks l love-" she
said once. They'd be sorry amt
got nobody to come, an no supper the
night afore Thanksgivin'. I'm dread
full glad they don't know" And she
drew little nearer to the fire, and laid
her head back drowsily in the old rock
ing-chair.
1t seemed only moment before there
was a loud knocking, and somebody
lifted the latch of the door. The fire
shone bright through the front of the
stove and made little light in the
room, but Mary Ann Robb walked up
frightened and bewildered.
who's there?" she called, as she
found her crutch and went to the door.
She was conscious of only her one
great fear. "They've come to take
me to the poor-h house !" che said, and
burst into tears.
There was tall man, not John Man.
der, who seemed to fill the narrow door,
way.
Come, let me inl" he said, gayly.
cts cold night. You didn't expect
me, did you, Mother Robb?'
Dear mel What is il?" she fall
tered, stepping back as he came in and
dropping her crutch. "Be | dreamin'?
l was dreamin' about Oh, therel
What was l a-sayin'? It amt truel
No! I've made some kind of mis-
take"
Yes, and this was the man who kept
the poor-house, and she would go with
out complaint; they might have given
her notice, but she must not fret.
"Sit down, sir" she said, turning
toward him with touching patience
If I'd been notified / wouldn't have
kept you waiting a minute this cold
night"
1t was not the keeper. The man by
the door took one step forward and put
his arm around her and kissed her.
What are you talking abou,?" said
John Harris. "You amt goin' to
make me feel like stranger? I've
come all the way from Dakota to spend
Thanksgivin'. There's all sorts o.
things out here in the wagon, an a
a man to help get 'em in. Why-don't
you cry so, Mother Robb. l thought
you'd have great laugh if l come and
surprised you. Don't you RENE mber
said should?"
1t was John Harris, indeed. The
poor soul could cay nothing. She felt
now as If her heart was going to break
with Joy. He left her in the rocking
chair and came and went in his old boy
ish way, bringing in his store of gifts
and provisions. 1t was better than any
dream. He laughed and talked and
went out to send away the man to
bring a wagonful of wood from John
Mander's, and came in himself laden
with pieces of the nearest fence to
keep the fire going in The meantime,
They must cook the steak for supper
right away; they must find the package
of tea among all the other bundles
they must get good fires started in botl
the bedrooms. Why, Mother Robb
didn't seem to be ready for company
from out Westl The great, Cheerful
fellow hurried about the tiny house, anc
the little old woman limped after him
forgetting everything but hospitality
Had not she house for John to come
to? Were not her old chairs and
tables in their places still? And he re-
membered everything, and kissed hel
as they stood before the fire, as if she
were a girl.
He had found plenty of hard times,
but luck had come at last. He hat
struck luck, and this was the end of &
great year.
"No, couldn't seem to write letters;
no use to complain o. the worst, an
wanted to tell you the best wher
1 came;" and he told it while sh'
cooked the supper. "No, WANT goin
to write no foolish letters" John re
peated He was afraid he should CRY
himself when he found out how bat
things had been; and they sat dowr
to supper together, just as they used tC
do when he was homeless orphan boy
whom nobody else wanted in white
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