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

November was growing old, and Miss
Nancy Camp, who sat at the window
watching tho gray clouds shift across
the sky In heavy masses, wished In her
secret heart that It was gone.
who'd a thought It would hev come
OF 90 cold after such a warm spell.
NAncyY said a voice from the little
bedroom that led out Of the kitchen.
'It's moderatlng. I reckon It's going
60 snow" responded Miss Nancy.
otis jest like the November when
Jim Wilmot went out West" continued
her sister reminlsccntly.
Eyes" was tho low response.
"'Twas real warm Thanksgiving.
and then day or two after Il begun
ter snow, and the 2Sth-you remember,
Nancy--'twas the time they had the
celebration In the schoolhouse. and you
and Jim went-my, how It did blow and
elect! And on Sunday It was 90 drifted
that Cousin Anne Camp-She tibet was
. Stevens. you know-couldn't GIT ter
meeting. 1t was the first time In 'leven
years tibet she'd missed hearing Elder
Dickens. She felt real bad about It."
added Miss Abby.
Mlas Nancy drew her chair nearer to
che window and brushed her hand
across her eyes. There was no sound
from the little bedroom for Q while.
The big, old.fashioncd clock on the high
shelf licked away tho minutes, and
Miss Nancy rocked by the window,
with her hands folded insher lap.
There's someone a.comin' across the
old bridge" said Miss Abby, eagerly.
Zee who It Ia, Nancy. Likely ~ not
it's that school teacher tibet boards
down ter Fosters. though Il don't
sound like their team. She must be q
powerful sight O trouble to EN-"
And Nancy pressed her face against
the pane obedicntly. although there
was q mist before her eyes that blinded
her q little. The wagon camo nearer
and nearer until she could see thnt II
had hut one occupa ANITA man Of about
20. apparently, with a beard that per-
haps added little to his age.
who Is It, Nancy?" questioned Miss
Abby, fretfully. 1T amt her. II II?
Ny! IT sounds as II 1t was coming In
tn--hcrc."
II don't know" answered Miss Nan.
cy. Like enough lie wants some di.
rcctions."
"He? Lands! It's n man. then! Be
sure 10 tell him us"
Blu. there came heavy knock on the
door and Miss Abby subsidized. Slowly
Miss Nancy crossed the room and turn.
I'd the knob. Thtrc was nothing said
for moment. The man looked steadily
II the figure before him; at tho simply
made wooden dress with Ito pure white
collar and cuffs, the slender, blue-vein.
ID hands, the face with it, lrm mouth
and faded blue eyes. tho hair parted
smoothly and with tho same little wave
IA front that he remembered 90 well,
and the high shell comb that was new
70 him. He saw tho wrinkles. too, but
he saw no m0re--the years Of toll and
trouble that must have brought them.
All this he noted, and then held out his
hand.
Nancy, have you forgotten Jimy
She gave a startled glance into his
eyes, and a little crimson flush crept
into her cheeks. 1t reminded him of the
tine he had kissed her In tho garden
back OF the house.
"Wh0 Is II, Nancy?" whispered Miss
Abby from tho bedroom. do tell him
ter como In and shut the door, and-I
want some more fennel."
Eyes, Abby" answered Miss Nancy.
opening her lips with an effort.
jim Wilmot came In aud closed the
door softly behind him.
"Is Abby very sickT" he asked.
''She hasn't walked for six years"
answered Miss Nancy. mechanically
taking some fennel ont of dish on the
table and going into tho bedroom with
It.
"who 10 ity whispered Miss Abby
sgain.
"Jim Wilmot." responded her sister.
"Jim! Lands o. Goshen! Well, we'll!
Who'd a thought he'd "a turn ND after
all these years. DO tell him to como In
here fore he goes. Jim Wllmot! Well.
] neverw
Miss Nancy gave little pat to the
pillows, and then entered tho sitting.
room again.
''If you'll stay to supper, you'd better
pu. your horse and team under the
shed. We haven't hired man now"
Thank YOU" he said, gladly.
She sent him little sly glance as he
went out Of the door.
In a few minutes he was back again,
but the talk was a little forced. He told
her how rough the life was out West
when he first went; how, after many
discouragements, a little prosperity
came to him, and then he came on a
visit to his folks, who told him tina,
they lived together at the little house.