The Canton times. (Canton, Miss.) 1893-1906, 1896-04-03

two things, part Of her 'rut'-why. she
would put in better appearance. the dear
old soul! @le es &4s 8e
1.-THE visit has really done me good. too.
I was getting into rut. myself, II not
quite as narrow one as Aunt Martha's. :
Most affectionately, your cousin.
FLORENCE"
Tom Walton was hurrying home,
across the little5green square" oppo-
site his street, when he heard someone
peak in quayering tone. "Sir, do
you know where Park place is ?''sya9
He looked around, and saw little old
woman sitting on d bench that stood at
the edge of the gravel walk. She was
apparently too tired even to stand up to
attract attentions; and she spoke in a
discouraged way, as II she hardly ex-
pected him to turn around.
"Why, madam, this block up here is
Park place. What number are you look
ing for?" he said, kindly, sitting down
beside the old lady and waiting patient
ly while she fumbled in her pocket.
II can't find the paper" she said, at
last. "But think it's A."
"Very we'll, madam" said Tom, still
more kindly; he knew there was no such
number in the place, but did not wish to
break her hope down until she could rest
little and perhaps find the paper. IF
You will just step into my house--this
first house here-I will have somebody
take you over. You should have u cup
of tea, too; you look bit tired" He
picked up her umbrella, and she leaned
gratefully on his arm as they crossed
the square. k
The old lady was very tired, and that
walk, short as it was, took long enough
for Tom almost to repent his impulsive
action. What would Harriet say? She
never really blamed Tom for anything
he chose to do; but he had noticed that
she had not always seemed pleased at
his habit of picking up protegees" as
she called it. What they could do with
this poor old creature, unless she could
give some account of herself, he did not
know. A m IA
He opened the door with the 1atchkey,
and Struggled the old lady into the
library. There he settled her in big
armchair, and then ran hastily upstairs
to his wife.
Now Harriet was just looking about
for convenient chair to put her skein
of silk across, while she wound it on
large spool, to keep it from tangling.
When Tom entered the room she jumped
up happily, and, giving him kiss, said,
imperatively: snow, Tom, you are just
in time; put out your hands, sir!"
"You dear old fellow--did Grace get
off? What kind of a time did you have
at the reception? Tremendously
crowded? oh yes, that goes without say
ing. Oh, Tom, it's such blessed relief
to have you here, all to myself. We
won't be at home to anybody for a
week.. will we? but just have some of
our pleasant little evenings together.
Have some tea? Here, can reach the
bell. By the way, I've had a letter from
Florence Drayton. She's been up to a
new prank-been playing her cheer-np
act down at your aunt Martha's. She
must be an odd old soul from what
Florence says You've never told me
much about her. When dyou see her
last? 2"
1t was rather relief to have an old
lady introduced into the conversation.
1t would make it easier to start his own
subject. So Tom began as courageous
~ as he could:
"Aunt Martha? Oh, not since was
hoy. I really have rather neglected her,
! suppose. She was all right so long as
her daughter lived-Jane. She taught
school down there, and they got on very
we'll; but, speaking of old ladies'"
''Oh, Tom," broke in Harriet, "you
seem to be excited on the subject of old
ladies. You're twistingeyour hands up
frightfully, and the silk is mess. The
trees look bare yet over in the park,
don't they? 1 shall be glad when spring
really comes. If it hadn't been for that
frostl" ~
"Apropos of the park" said Tom.
humbly, beginning again rather abrupt-
", when l was coming through the
park this afternoon there was poor
old woman sitting on bench. I really
felt sorry for her, she looked so help
less and tired"
'Oh, Toni" cried his wife, in despair,
'.do please be careful. You're knotting
the silk worse than ever. Be sorry for
me. You can't waste your pity on every
loafer you see on the park benches"
, "But, lefty dear, this old lady wasn't
'loafer, She was just respectable old
country soul, 1 should Judge, who had
lost her way in the city. really felt
sorry for her."
''Why didn't you bring her home for
dinners said Harriet, a little sarcastic
ally. "Oh, Tom now you have done H."
Tom dropped the silk entirely in his