Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1896-03-20
WHAT ALLIED MAHALY.
BY ELEANOR FOOT.

BY ELEANOR FOOT.
*'What allied Maha1y?" That was the
question the neighbors all asked cacn
other. Every day that it rained--and
it was a wet spring-they had out to
look out the window to see her lrudg-
ing along, umbrelaless, oftentimes
-,onnetless-her face turned upward.
Pears if she'd got religion this win
ter; I'd feel to think she'd gone daft
over it, the way't she gazes up at The
sky said old Mrs. Mosely.
Il jes' think it's flynn in the lace .
iE-rovidence!" cried her nearer: her
a-gallivantin' round that away in
ey'ry Thunderstorm She'll be brought
. home some day, see if she hain't. Why.
my Uncle Cy jes' stepped to the door
one day, and the lightnin' went clean
through him. He died right away. He
made beautiful-lookin' corpse, jes' as
nat'ral-the blackened part was all in
bis side and ar1n-but it was drecfui
sad! He was buried on Sunday"
signing.
II b'lieve shes little empty III the
upper story said third, tapping her
head. And so the talk went on. Wheth-
ST Mahala knew of the various su,1nises
Of the village folk, Or whether, know
ing, she. did not' care! was almost as
fruitful a theme for con lecture as the
cause Of her rambles.
At last, two of the Dorcas banl took
1t upon themselves to stand by each
other in an attempt to find out some
thing about it. They were to take a
whole day to it and report their success
sor nonsuccess at the next meeting.
Mrs. Brown said that she would take
over some of her crabapple Jelly, and
her coadjutor said she guessed she'd
take over some fruit cake and elder
berry wine; the thought in both far
reaching and diplomatic minds beng
that their hostess could hardly with
stand such delicate bribery. She would
surely feel that something was due
them in return.
1t happened that the day they set
upon dawned dark and lowering. It
looked as though thunderstorm was
imminent.
'Oh, Mis- Simpson," puffed Mrs.
Brown, running without ceremony into
her neighbours back door, don't you,
think we'd better let ev'rything go and
git right over there: l didn't think
shout pickin' on a rainy day, but, don't
you see-it's jes' the thing! We can
git started on the subjec better. Hurry
UP and git on your bunnet and let the
dishes 60. Here, put your things right
i'll my basket. We want to git there
before she starts--and She'll be startir'
-- out to-day, sure! Look at them clouds
A little later, flushed and dusty, the
two stood at Mahala's front door. Mrs
Brown, who usually took the initiative
in everything, knocked vigorously. She
felt drop of rain and knocked again
The door swung slowly open and she
began, volubly:
'Howdy, Mahaly; we jes' thought
Mis- Simpson and I-how we'd CONF.
over and spend the day with you You
=hevn't looked bit well lately-k1nd o
peaked lookin'-and you must be SO
lonesomethere all alone. How air YOU
now, anyhow"
II hain't no call to complain of my
health" answered Mahala, little
stifly. She glanced up at the sky
Put come in. It was real thoughtful
of you to think of me-" Mrs. Simpson
conscience gave a little prick.
'.Looks like rain, don't it," pursued
Mrs. Brown, glancing up. "But ,nebb,
you was goin' out to-day" fol
lowing up the charge. II should think
you'd ketch your death O. cold goin
out in all these cold spring rai1is-so
sznebby it's good thing we come, any.
way" She trod ON Mrs. Simpsons toes
:'Yes, you're gittin' real peakec
lookin'," hastily calculated tina,
worthy woman, taking up the cue sc
inimitably thrown out by her con-
t,anion. Mahala flushed slightly.
''Why, I feel real well,' she faltereJ
Be peaked? I'm goin' to try to e,,'
more. But when persons all alone
they don't feel no great appetite She
ushered her visitors into the little par
Tor and took their things. $ 7 can't
hardly bring myself to cook now" sh..
added.
''Well, now, hain't it fort'nate! I
brought over some O. my elderberry
wine, for thought you needed chirkin'
up since your mother hain't here to
see to you. Poor woman! How longs
she been dead?'
Three years." said Mahala, choking.
There, there, poor dear, we're jes'
a-goin' to come over real often
and I'm a-goin' to see you don't
go out in the rain no more
without a bonnet" exclaimed Mrs.
THROWN: "What do you do it for
,al1yway?' she persisted. you'll ex-
cuse me for sayin' it-you know I'm
sayin' it for your own good-but ev'ry-
body's wonderin' bout it. They say't