Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1896-04-23
WIDOW MARIN
BY the Author OF "Natalie's Ordeal"
"Euphie Lyu, "A Vain Sacri-
fee" Etc.
CHAPTER XIX.
Nan Calls on Mrs. Myers.


scented herself at the door of Joshua
Myers house.
"Why-Miss Meredith! Walk right
in exclaimed little Mrs Myers. Its
a rare sight to see you visiting us.
How are you all up the way
Nau paused a minute and loosened
her hat strings before answering.
We'll, as to health, can't complain.
Mr.. Hill is WELL he always is; but Loo
If she's we'll woman either in body
or mind, my name amt Nan Mere
dith.
A cloud crept over Mrs Myers gen
tie countenance; she had been hearing
rumors of late about Loo-rumors
which had disturbed her-rumors
which she and Joshua had never liked
to repeat.
I'm sorry to hear Loo's not so we'll.
P'r'haps it's the spring coming In;
some people do get run down little in
spring and fall" she said, quietly.
mo, it amt no spring, nor anything
at all, but jist desperate lonely crit
ter gettin' herself run into the grave
as fast as she can lick it. | can't
stand to see her goin' on the way she
Is, without comm over to see you
about it. There she's off to the vii
lage this evenin' again to surprise
party and she'll come home with the
rest of EN- at the small hours o the
mornin' an lie down in her clothes
awhile an get up an tear an work
like all possessed, till she fairly sinks
down dead an faint when | tell her
she's Just KILN herself, she just
laughs and says: No matter-the
sooner it's all ove- the better What
on airth am l to do, Mrs. Myers? I'm
gettin' so skeart about her; she's moth
ing but a bag o bones an that red
spot on her cheek bone don't mean no
good. An if she was wild or wicked
or 'ud be cross. but no-allus the same,
Jus, work, work. so as to get through
an off to the village to something or
other-she that never used to want to
go anywhere, 'cept to church or prayer
meetin'."
" see she don't come to prayer
meeting any more said Mrs. Myers.
"No, but she goes to church. Seems
to ME it's anything to get out of that
there house Do you know. Mrs.
Myers, It's my opinion Loo Hills
brain was sortar changed that night
when she lay lown to die in hat
snowdrift? It's my solemn opinion
oh rIhh
back to life, some of her was left dead
an gone i'll that there snowdrift. |
know that girl I've studied her and
she amt been the same ever since
Christmas day. | seen it and | have
watched her an though they tell me
she is quite bright at the parties an
dances, | see her when she don't think
no eye but Gods is upon her, an no
person, be they male or female, ever
lays their head back on the rockin'
chair with them closed eyes, the way
she does unless something has died
inside O. them some eres."
Dear me- Nan, what can it be ails
her."
God knows I don't. If it had been
last October now, after that young
Teller went away, | should have said
she was pinin' after him, for they was
mighty good friends, they was; I know
they was Put him goin' away never
affected her bit; fact was, she seemed
more chirk al fall than I ever seen
her before or since"
And do you want me 10 speak to
her. Nam" inquired Mrs. Myers, with
gentle sympathy.
II wish you would Mrs Myers DO.
ia be so glad; III fact, I didn't know
but what you'd Offer if come over an
told you, Anyhow, I couldn't keep It
to myself any longer. AS for old man
r!ill, he seems to be sorter frightened
Of her, You see, she is a terror to
work and he knows it, and she's Of age
and he can't say nothing but she ups
and asks him what more does he want?
Amt the work done? If he amt
pleased he can get some one else-an'
so he shuts up right away, though !
kin see he amt by no means easy in
his mind about her"
I should think not" responded Mrs
Myers, her cheeks flushing with hot
Indignation; Il never liked Mr. Hill
and Joshua can't get along with him
nohow: but surely he ought to be man
enough 10 put a stop to this sort Of
thing whether she be OF age or not. A
pretty story to he afraid to interfere
to prevent his daughter from going
wrong for fear she wouldn't work
enough for him."
Mans round eyes took on a puzzled
look Of pain and surprise and alarm.
Mrs Myers-I-you are maxim
terrble mistake-a fearful mistake.
never thought you would take up what
said in that way. IF you think
from what I say that Loo Hill is going
to go wrong you never made such
big mistake in all your life. She amt
that sort Loo Hill might die, but 90
wrcng-neveri It amt in her. Oh
my. Oh, my, That ever should say
anrthing would lead you to think
that" Nan in her distress wrung her