The Louisiana populist., 1896-10-16

SXH ing the gray clouds
,NFS shift across the sky in
NJ o. heavy masses, wished
~ in her secret heart
that it was gone.
"Who'd "a thought it would hev
come of so cold after such warm
spell, Nancy?" said voice from the
little bedroom that led out of the
kitchen.
"It's moderating. I reckon it's go
ing to snow," responded Miss Nancy.
'It'c jest like that November when
Jim Wilmot went out West" con-
tinued her sister, reminiscently.
eyes" was the low response.
"Twas q real warm Thanksgiving,
and then day or two after it begun
ter snow, and the twenty-eighth-you
remember, Nancy-'twas the time they
had thet celebration IN the school
house, and you and Jim went-my,
how it did blow and sleetl And on
Sunday it was so drifted thet Cousin
Anne Camp-she thet was Stevens,
you know-couldn't git ter meeting.
1t was the first time in 'leven years
tibet she'd missed hearing Elder Dick
ems. She felt reel bad about it," ad-
ded Miss Abby.
Miss Nancy drew her chair nearer
to the window and brushed her hand
across her eyes. There was no sound
rom the little bedroom for awhile.
The big, old-tashioned clock on the
high shelf licked away the minutes,
and Miss Nancy rocked by the win
dow, with her hands folded in her
lap.
There's some one a-coming across
the old BRIDGE" said Miss Nancy,
eagerly. ''See wfo 1t is, Nancy.
Likely as not it's thet school-teacher
thet boards down ter Fosters, though
it don't sound like their team. She
must be powerful sight of trouble to
en-"
Miss Nancy pressed her face against
the pane obediently, although there
was mist before her eyes that blinded
her little. The wagon came nearer
and nearer, until she could see that it
had but one occupants man of about
forty, apparently. with beard that
perhaps added little to his age.
"Who is it, Nancy" questioned
Miss Abby, fretfully. 'Tt amt her,
is it? My it sounds as if it was COM
ing in--in-here."
II don't know" answered Miss
Nancy. Like enough he wants some
directions.
she? Lands! It's a man, then !
Be sure to tell him US"
But there came q heavy knock on
| The door and Miss Abby subsidized.
Slowly Miss Nancy crossed the room
and turned the Knob. There was
nothing said for a moment. The man
looked steadfastly at the figure before
him; at the simply made woolen dress
with its pure white collar and cuffs !;
the slender, blue-veined hands; the
face with its firm mouth and faded
blue eyes; the hair parted smoothly
and with the same little wave in front
that he remembered SO well. and the
high, shell comb that was new to him.
He saw the wrinkles, too, but he saw
more-the years of toll and trouble
that must have wrought them. All
this he noted and then held out his
hand.
"Nancy Have you forgotten Jim ?"
She gave q startled glance into his
eyes, and little crimson flush crept
into her cheeks. 1t reminded him of
that time he had kissed her in the gar.
den at the back of the house.
"Who is it, Nanoy?" whispered Miss
Abby from the bedroom. "Do tell
him ter come in and shet the door,
and-I want some more fennel."
''Yes, Abby" answered Miss Nancy,
opening her lips with an effort.
Jim Wilmot came in and closed the
door softly behind him.
"ls Abby very sick?" he asked.
"She hasn't walked for six years."
answered Miss Nancy, mechanically
taking some fennel out of dish on
the table and going into the bedroom
with it.
"Who is it?" whispered Miss Abby
again.
Jim Wilmot, responded her sister.
"Jiml Lands o. Gosheni Well,
we'll, Who'd "a thought he'd "a
turned up after all these years2 Do
tell him to come in here fore he goes.
Jim Wilmoti Well, 1 never
Miss Nancy gave little pat to the
pillows, and then entered the sit
ting room again.
-"If you'll stay to supper, you'd
better put your horse and team under
the shed. We haven't q hired man
now
'Thank you." he said, gladly.
She sent him little sly glance as
he went out of the door.
In few minutes he was back again,
but the talk was little forced. He
told her how rough the life was out
Vest when he first went; how, after
many discouragements, . little pros
perity came to him. and then he came
on Q visit to his folks, who told
him that they lived together at the
little house, and that Abby was ''sick-