Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1896-12-24

light and a wranglc of voices TX was
astonishing how much noise the few
worthless who freQuented Black Pcte'S
could make perhaps to defy the eternal
stiffness of the mountain. The lady
shrank back with an added pallor. vet
in her eyes shone daunlleSS courage,
"Whar's Silent Bill?' shouted the
driver.
"RooStS down in the last shauty, but
he's pinted fer the station TO have his
Christmas with Their boys. Jes' gone. =
"0h, when viii. he come back?''
asked the lady. With breathless gasp
Pete started. He had not made nut the
passengels before, though he had been
vainly peering into the darkness. His
husky voice took on, or tried to, a soft
er tone. and he came eagerly to the
edge of the sleigh,
He'll be in town in a few days,
ma'am. Nr-blame it--he'n he hyar
AT onst. Bob kin so right back and
tell i'm. Air We lookiu fer i'm, ma'am?"
Il am his wife" she said family.
No, He know We was coming?'
No"
WAL, that's too darn bad. But
YOU jes' come right in. an Wei have i'm
hyar fore We wake up in the mornin. :
She half rose in the wagon and then
sank back. overcome by fainting SEN
sation. How long how much longer
could she be brave9 She fought down
her weakness in the moment of silence
and girded up her weary nerves to en-
ter that noiSome room. But before she
reached the door the noise was huShed,
and she passed with her baby, through
the startled group like an apparition Of
the Madonna and the Child. Every
head was stretched out to catch n
glimpse of the sleeping baby. Even
Mrs Petes hard face s0ftened as she
took him in her arms, and she hustled
about in her heavy fashion to make
them comfortable,
The lady somewhat revived af.er a
cup of coffee and the kindly meant if
somewhat rough hospitality and as
soon as possible went to bed.
Meanwhile the group In the narroom
were quenchng their thirst and their
curiosity at the same time, for Bob
Mahaffy stad for refreshments, and
indeed staid so long that he was in
no condition to drive back that night,
and so staid till morning. And he
gave minute details of the landing Of
the lady and the child at the station, all
of which was welcome as shade in the
resort to the news, starved loungers..
Above in the little attic room Mrs.
John Allison dropped to sleep Otter a
long struggle with disappointment and
NEW ouSnesS The sun was already
high in the winter sky when she awoke.
She was sad, but still her own brave
self again, and quivering with the hope
that her long weary search would be
ended to-day. After a hasty break
fast she left the baby still sleeping,
with the half breed woman and asked
Black Pete to show her the way to ST.
lent Bill's cabin. The crisp, bright air
raised her spirits and did her good
and she forgot to be shy of Pete, who
was agonizing in his endeavors to be
civilized and polite.
Her plans were soon matured and in
operation. Action was imperative now
1r she could not stand the suspense; so
Mrs Pete the man from the hotel set
% work under her orders. The heavy
box contained some materials for the
renovation, which, though mcager,
we're riches to her now. She had
known something Of the condition Of
things which she should be likely to
find and had done the best she could
to prepare for It,
1t was an astonished cabin that
hardly knew itself, late that afternoon.
When all was done the kindly helpers
had left her, at her own request, and
she gave one more comprehensive look
about, well pleased with the result.
First it was clean That was the most
thing She had brougt
quantity of pretty chintZ and red cal
leo. The bed, made OF pine posts, was
off from the room She had
made inroads into Pete's sock OF
baled hay for tick and pillows. and her
box had furnished linen and quilts.
The hard bunk had been d ape with
chintz and made into the softest couch
for baby that the means at hand could
provide. a ut artistic mantel
over the ,4ace held some pictures
and the little clock, ticking away as
IN the New England home from which
il came There was broad, red
lounge with cushions in oe corner.
and big arm chair--a wonder Of con-
rivance, with calico concealing its dry
goods box origon. Other boxes bloomed
'orth as cupboard and bookcase. The
DID table was covered with crimson
spread and had a hanging lamp above
/. There were shades, and white cur
aims at the windows The floor was
secured and had rugs laid down, some
If bearskns and some that she hid
brought with her. She had obtained
lumber Of bright hued blankets Of Pc
With which she had draped the rude
walls wherever possible, and pine
coughs and sprigs Of evergreen In hon
~ for rho Oh r-igtrnas She had coTne 40