Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1896-11-07

was not very lonesome ONT there, ana III
he had quite forgotten the old days.
The clock at last warned her that she
must be about her preparations for sup.
per, and after excus!ng herself she
brought Ia dish of oranges to peel.
She worked swiftly. though her hands
trcmbled and felt al! thumbs" She
had almost finished her task when an
orange slipped out Of the dish and roll
cd on the floor. Both stopped to pick
II up and their hands met
Dear" he said. holding out his arms.
Miss Nancy gave one glance into his
face, 90 near her own, and in moment
was crying softly on his shoulder.
What mattered the years Of waiting,
the years Of toll and trouble? Nothing
mattered any more.
The clock licked on and Miss Abby
awoke from the little 'cat nap" she had
been enjoying.
Nancy she called sharply.
Miss Nancy started and raised her
crimson face with Its new expression
from It's resting place.
"wait o minute, dear heart" whls-
percd Jim. II want to know when your
70 back with me. went away to
make q fortune and a home for you.
They're waiting. When will you got"
when will I GOT" echoed Miss Nan.
cy. bewildcredly.
Nancy called Miss Abby again.
"I'm afraid don't know what you
mean. Jim," faltered Miss Nancy.
why, back out West. I've got
pretty little place there, with thirty
acres or %. and nary q mortgage. You'll
have neighbos. for there's other farms
near. and you shan't work, Nancy. III
get q girl"
And Abby?" asked Nancy.
Jim Wilmot started.
II had forgotten her." he said help.
leasly. But where's the rest Of the re.
lationsf Or why couldn't she 60 to .
home or--somethingw
The flush In Miss Nancy's face faded
ana little line Of pain formed around
her mouth.
"She'd never stand It to leave this
place. She's lived here all her life,
JIM" che said slowly.
There was q silence for q moment,
then she continued. steadily:
II shall never leave her: so good
good.by, jim"
And you'll sacrifice yourself md me
fer notionT" he replied hotly. "All
right, then, shan't leave my farm
and settle down In this humdrum place
Jest fer the sake Of your sister. Good
by, Nancy" And i've minutes after the
horse drove out Of the yard and down
the hill while ono lonely woman strain.
ID her eyes for last glimpse Of II. and
the gathering fakes Of snow were al.
ready nlling up its tracks.
She stood there q long while watch.
Ing the sullcn clouds and the snow that
was coming thicker and faster. Littlc
pufIs Of wind blew the fakes of snow
against the pane, and Miss Nancy won.
dsrsd vaguely n they felt unhappy be.
cause they melted 90 soon.
At last she reused herself and won't
Into the bedroom. Miss Abby. tired Of
calling. had fallen asleep. She was
thankful for the respite. and. going out
softly. prepared her own supper and
tho iuvalid's while the wind blew furl.
ously around the little old house and
fairly shook Ito foundation.
She sat BY tho Ore with her head on
her hands long after her sister had
eaten her supper. and being satisfied
with the cvaslve answers to her many
questions had gone to sleep again. But
the nre had died down and II grew
chilly In the little kitchen. 20 finally
shc, too. went to her nights rest. It
was very late when she dropped into
q light sleep and the morning soon
came.
The day passed drcarily. Miss Abby
talked inccssantly OF Jim-JIm, until
her sister felt she should scream or 20
mad; but she did neither. and was only
a little more tender. o little moro pa-
tlent.
The night set In with regular snow.
storm. Miss Abby declared they would
be showed In by morning. The wind
blew down the chimney with means.
like an uneasy spirit.
In tho morning Miss Nancy was star.
tied by the darkness In tho little rooms.
The wind had blown the snow In big
drifts against the windows aud door.
What Miss Abby had feared had come
to pass. and they were showed In. But
there was no cause for worry 40 yet.
There was plenty Of food In the pantry
and wood In the wood box. There
was no stock to suffer. and someone
would surely 60 by before the day was
ever and discover their plight.
She lighted her lamp and did her
work. though In q rather half-hearted
way. and tho day passed and no ono
went BY, and the snow piled up higher
and higher around the house.
Miss Abby was very little frightened
at their situation. Indeed. her sister
hardly knew what to make Of her; she
seemed little wandering and confus.
cd things strangely.
The next day. late In tho afternoon,
II stopped showing. but no one went by.
and darkness came on again. Another
long night. Miss Nancy left q lamp
burning In the kitchen and then went
TO bed.
Very early In the morning she was
suddenly awakened by shout and the
sound Of someone kicking on the side
Of the house. She hastily dressed and
then entered the sittiug-room.
"Hiv' someone called.
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