The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-12-20

well, | can-I've just learned it,
"Minervy can play Angel Voices in
the Night" announced Mrs. Blunt, proud
as any peacock. IT'S lots harder II
THE Prize Banner It's full of little grace
notes. Yuh can't play it, can yuhf"
"Oh, yes" said Lily Belle, pleasantly;
II could play it three years ago"
She sat down at the organ and COM
menced to play something light and
merry. She played with spirit and grace,
making the old instrument turn out jigs
and hornpipes far beneath its dignity.
Doug Hodges stood with his arms folded.
observing her intently. Minerva stood
witfsher back to the window; her eyes
never moved from his face. She was
very pale, She breathed slowly and
noisclessly; her lips were parted. Mrs.
Bunt watched all three impartially.
Suddenly Minerva commenced cough
ing Doug Hodges gave her a frown-
ing look-one that asked with the inn
patience ofa ten years husband if she
couldn't wait till the Rochester Schot-
tisehe" was finished. She put her hand
on her chest and still coughing, slipped
out of the room.
Her mother gloomed after her for a
moment; then she arose and followed
her
The Christmas dinner was eaten
solemnly at O'Clock There was a
thick soup, made of canned oysters, with
little rings of butter floating on top;
there were two big roasted chickens with
sage dressing; a dome of mashed potato
with pool of melted butter in its sun
ken crater, stewed pumpkin, stewed
corn, picked peaches and beans, brown
gravy, mince pie and floating island and
crabapple jelly-all trembling and glow
ing upon the table at the same time.
Minerva served her guests faithfully:
but she ate little herself
When the dishes had been washed and
the floor swept Mrs. Blunt stood the
broom up stiffiy behind the kitchen door,
while Minerva hung the dishpan out on
the porch and stretched the dish-cloth
smoothly over it.
Now, Lily Belle" said Mrs. Blunt,
firmly, pulling down her sleeves, well
go in the settin' room Doug an Mineryy 8
a-goin' to take walk"
I'D just as soon go along with EN-
Mis- Bunt."
"Well, / guess they'd like to be alone
a little while-on Christmas, too
WED just as soon have her along
OF u.s." spoke up the young man, bold
", with a red face.
well, she'll set here with me. That's
settled. Yuh N Minervy go on now. I'd
laff il I'd have anybody tag me an my
girl around all day, If | was a young
man."
"Why, the ideew futtered Lily Belle.
"Well, l w'u'd. I'd laff." she passed
near Minerva 1.-THE days all set" she
said, in stern whisper HAS he tod
yuh? It's the first day o. May"
The girls large eyes glowed out OF her
white face.
"Who set it,"
II did"
The sunset was drawing its long beau
tiful ribbons out of the beryl skies and
coiling them so low in the west in SPLEEN
did loops of color. A strong wind was
blowing up the arm; and waves pounded
and broke upon the rocks.
Minerva walked silently by her lovers
side. Once she shivered and drew her
cape closer about her chest. Several
times she coughed.
You've got cold ain't-choo" said
the young man, at last, ndifferently.
mo, only a cough"
He looked at her. You We got thinner
N when / was here last"
Its been six MONTHS Her voice
sounded hollow. There was a drawn
look about her mouth.
'It has? So long? Why it didn't seem
more n a month"
As he began to walk more slowly, and
she felt into his pace unconsciously, like
an ohedient dog
1T seems like six years to me-" The
words ought to have shaken his soul
there was such a heartbreak in them.
at all depends on the way you spend