The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1896-04-24
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and the young women looked at each
other sorrowfuIly.
The little house was very plain, but
they had been born there, their par
ents had died there, and then they
hardly knew how they should feel
without that small property. or, in
deed, how they should live.
Then sitting down together on E
chintz-covsred lounge, they began to
read. As they did so, the expression
of their faces slowly changed. They
began to utter little "Ohs" and "Ahs,n
and as they came to the bottom Of the
last page, they dropped the letter on
the table and Rugged each other.
"Do you think we are awaken asked
Miss Amelia.
81 am" said Amanda. 81 feel as il
the idea Of losing cur home had been
a bad dream. But dear mel we ought
to have trusted in Providence. Pa was
a righteous man and ma a Christian
woman, and some one in the Bible says;
I was young, and now Pm old, but
never have I seen the righteous for
saken or his children Begging bread.
I know I'm not quoting just right, but
it's close to it. I had no idea Great
uncle Peter, whom we never saw in
our lives, would leave Us anything"
'Nor I" said Amelia. "And bO7y
strange; it's just about enough TO pay
Of the mortgage and our journey to
New York, and a little more. Well, we
might buy Us bOnnets while we are
down" She picked up the letter and
read it again, and they went on talking
till late in the afternoon, and that day
no more ironing was done by the Misses
Perry.
Gossips in general, and Mrs. Becker's
mother in particular, wondered greatly
what could take Miss Amelia away, and
why they did not enlighten their neigh
bOrs as to the why and wherefore Of
their departure.
When at last they returned, each
bearing a bandbox and several parcels,
as well as their traveling-bags, the mys-
terry deepened. They were evidently
in high spirits, and nodded and smiled
on all they met. Miss Amelia took the
keys out Of her pocket and opened the
door, and both entered. Everybody
saw that, but they saw no more.
When the sisters had taken OF their
travelling rRps,-lOcked up large pack
age of bank notes, and tried on their
new bonnets, amanda said:
81 suppose the folks think we are
going to disappoint themeabout those
dishes for the fair, and we'd better
get them down and wash them. It's
Saturday, and we'll have hard work
TO get them done by night. The fair
opens Monday noon, and Of course we
are not going to break the Sabbath"
Then, arTaycd in their wrappers,
Amanda and Amelia explored cup
boards and Pantries, went up into the
attic and down into the cellar, and final
| ly, having piled plates and bowls, cups
saucers and pitchers on tables, chairs
and window stills, until the little
kitchen looked like q china shop, they
began to wash and polish them.
my, how close it is here!" said Miss
Amanda, suddenly, do raise win
dow, Nelly"
Amelia obeyed, and turned to her sis
ter, laughing.
Here's the plaid cloak coming" she
said.
"Glad to know it for once" said
Amanda.
eyes, I never thought I should be
glad to see the McMurtry plaid at the
door," said Amelia. 'TIl go and get the
money"
She ran upstairs, and came down to
find Mrs. McAIurtry sitting on a chair
in the kitchen.
EYES," the latter was saying, "Iheard
you'd come home, and I thought I'd call
and have a little talk aboutour troubles.
I shall hate to do what I've got to do "
Eyes, I'm really sorry for you" said
Amelia, beginning to wipe dish.
Mrs. McMurtry looked surprised.
u suppose you feel it is serious, and
have done your best" she said.
Il don't seem to mind much" said
Amelia, laughing. 81 don't look wOr-
ried, do -"
"NOw. Nelly, don't tease" said
Amanda. And Amelia threw her great
towel over her arm and dipped her
hand into her pocket and drew out
a great roll of banknOtes.
"You see we've no reason to fret; and
we can pay you to-day. We've had a leg.
acy, and it just covers what we owe
YOU" She laughed.
well, I'm as glad as you are" said
Mira. McMurtry, as Amelia counted cut
the money and laid it On the table at her
elbow. "And I'll run to Lawyer Smiths
and get the papers end receipts. Take
care, Miss Amelia. take care, you've
dropped four notes on the hoor-you'ro
real nervous. Aren't you? So an I.
You see, We are ell so pleased. Ishculd
hsVe hated to do what I'd have to d."
With this she turned to the door, call
ing back that she would be back at
once with the receipt.
The two young women went on wash
ing the dishes and packing them IN
baskets, laughing as they worked, I'M
til they saw the plaid cloak coming
again.