The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1896-11-26

RObb'S own, and she had burnt it most
thankfully. There was only a small
armful left, but at least she could have
the luxury Of a fire. She lad a feeling
hat it was her last night at home.
nd with strange reckleSsness she be
IN to ill the stove as she used to do
n better days.
It'll get me good AZ warm she
aid, still talking to herself, as lonely
people do. 'and I'll go 10 bed early.
It's comm on to storm"
The snow clicked faster and faster
against the window. and she sat alone,
thinking. in the dark.
''ThCre's lots o folks | love- she said
once. They'd be sorry | amt got no.
body 10 come. an no supper the night
afOre ThankSgivin'. I'm dreadful glad
they don't know" And she drew a
little nearer to the fire and laid her
head back drowsily in the old rocking
chair.
! 1t seemed only a moment before
there was a loud knocking, and some
body lifted the latch Of the door. The
fire shOne bright through the front
OF the old stove and made a little light
in the room. but Mary Ann Robb
walked UP frightened and bewildered.
"WhO'S there" she called. as she
found her cru.ch and went to the
door. She was conscious of her only
n great fear. They've come to take
me to the poorhouse!" she said, and
burst into tears.
There was a tall man, not John Man
der, who seemed to fill the narrow
doorway.
Come, let me in" he said gayly.
Its a cold night. You didn't expect
me, did you, Mother Robb?"
Dear me! What is 1T" she faltered,
stepping back as he came in, and drop
ping her crutch. BE / dreaming? l
was a-dreamin' about oh. there!
| What was | a-sayin'? faint true.
No! I've made some kind of a mis-
take"
Yes. and this was the man who kept
che ]poorhouSe, and she would go with
out complaint; they might have given
her notice, but she must not fret.
'Sit down, sir" she said. turning to-
ward him with touching patience.
You'll have TO give me a little time.
If I'd been notified | wouldn't have
kept you a minute this cDld night
It was not the keeper. The man
by the door took II step forward
and put his arm round her and kissed
her.
What are you talking about?' said
John Harris. "IOu amt goin' TO make
me feel like a stranger? I've come all
the way from Dakota to spend Thanks
givin'. There's all sorts o things out
here in the wagon, an a mar to help
get 'em in. Why-dOu't you cry So,
Mother RObb. l thought you'd have 4
great laugh if l come and surprised
YOU. Don't you remember l said |
should?'
1t was john Harris, indeed. The poor
soul could say nothing. She felt now
rs if her heart was going to break with
JOY. He left her III the rocking chair
and came and went in his old. boyish
way. bringing in his store Of gifts and
provisions. Il was better than any
dream. He laughed and talked and
went out TO send away the man 10
bring a w%agonful Of wood from John
Mander's and came in himself laden
with pieces of the nearest fence to keep
Ilt IRE gDllS III iIt meantime ihNN
must cook the steak for supper right
away; they must find the package of
tea among all the other bundles. They
must get good fires started in both the
bed rooms. Why, Mother Robb didn't
seem To be ready for company from
out West. The great cheerful fellow
hurried about the tiny house, and the
little old woman limped after him, FOR
getting everything but hospitality. Had
not she a house for John TO come to?
Were not her old chairs and tables
i'm their places, and he remembered
everything, and kissed her as they
stood before the fire, as II she were q
girl.
He had found plenty Of hard times.
but luck had come at last. He had
struck luck, and this was the end Of
a great year.
"No. l cOuld't seem to write letters;
no use to complain o. the worst, an
/ wanted to tell you the best when l
came;'' and he told il while she cooked
the supper. mo. l wasn't goin' to
write ND foolish letters" John repeat
ed. He was afraid he should cry him
self when he found out how bad things
had been, and they sat down to supper
together just as thsV used to do when