Evening star., 1896-12-19

''Yuh needn't to explode 50. They're
right here I the house. All is.' she added,
with stern look she went to the door,
Il sh'u'd jest like to see him try to throw
that ne c'u'dnt come it, She opened the
door. Land o Love an Goshen! Yuh
come, did yuh? It's cure for sore eyes
to see yuh. Doug Hodges. Come right
in- Never mind your feet. Whose trunk
was that come in on the boat with yuh?"
How
Il say. whose trunk was that come In on
the boat with yuh? Yuh gone deef?'
Trunk? / do know
Well come in Here's Minervy, awaitin'
to see yuh.
Minerva came forward scarlet-faced, and
shook hands Imply. Her hand was like a
birds claw.
The young mans face reflected the scar
let of hers.
We'll. Minervy." he said, you gettin'
supper?
Yes. sir sad Minerva, with quivering
poiiteness.
He sat down and slid his chair to the win
dow with a squeak. Its a-goin' to be a
nice Christmas
1T is So.
Its lots wsrmern usual"
"Yes-it is So
There was a beautiful happiness now on
Minervas face, which had been SO pale and
anxious about the time the boat landed;
but it was happiness that had something
pathetic IN H.
The young man did not seem to be over
burdened with joy. He looked embarrassed
and i'll at ease. His weak blue eyes shifted
away from Mrs. Bunt's steady, asking
look.
Finally she said. dryly. as she took a sip
of the boiling gravy to test its seasoning
What's the matter of yuh, Doug?
He gave jump
Matter? Nothin Why?'
''Yuh look so, Been teachin school over
close n MrNamara'S amt chOO?'
"Yes'm." The red came back to his face
"Hunh.'
There vas n silence. Minerva was step
ping around spryiy. Now and then she
looked at MIN with shining eyes. The little
curls were bobbing coquettishly on the
back of her neck and OH her brow. The re-
mainder of her hair was twisted into a
tight WiSp. She were duh green, badly
fitting dress. with funny bows of ribbon
sewed ever it. Once the young man gave
her long. searching look; then, without
the slightest change Of countenance, he
turned his eyes toward the boat just draw
| ing away from the pier.
Mrs. Bunt poured the gravy into bowl
scraping the pan deXterously with tin
| spoon.
"Yuh know Lily BELIEF"
The young fellow cleared his throat.
"Ye'es'in.''
| "Suppers all ready. Set up. Pa! Oh
i pa, Why don't choo come to supper?
| don't see where that trunks agoin' to-
on the worf?''
Minerva craned her long neck.
| "Yes'm.''
| Mrs. Bunt sighed helplessly. 1T beats
me. Well, set up before everything gets
cold. Oh, my landi 1 bet it's the ,vidow
! Peters 400 outfit! 1t just struck me all
| of a sudden
| Il hear yesterday that her n the MIMI.
| ter was a-goin' to git married. said Mr.
| Bunt.
| Il bet"
After supper Mr. Bunt went out to the
| Sarn to fodder the cattle. The CUES,
arose to accompany him. but Mrs BUM
| pointed with a large, crooked finger to the
| sitting room. You go in an set down
I'll come in an talk to yuh while Mlnervy
| reds up the dishes"
| He went in with an unwilling air and sal
| down by the big fireplace. Mrs Bun,
| closed tie door and pulled her chair ur
| close to him.
There was clatter of dishes. Minerva
| menced to sing:
| Last night there We're four Marys,
| Tonight there'll be but three
There was Mary Seaton and Mary Beaton
And Mary Carmichael-and mer'
Il wish she w'u'dn't sing that mournfu
| somethin' come up in my win'pipe She
| seems to lean to mournful songs-graye.
| yardy, call 'em. She's turrable happy be
| cause yuh come to stay Christmas, Doug
He stirred uneas!ly. THAT so?'
| Yes. it's SO. You're the only thing She
ever had to be happy over. Been stucl
/ here on this island ever sence she wal
knee high to a grasshopper II anything
happened to you. ! guess 1t 'u'd kill her
| there amt much TO her. with that cougf
o hern- How old be yuh now?"
Twenty five
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