The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1896-12-30

should say. She looked around the
cheerful room with a feeling of long.
ing for her home. The copper kettle
purred like cat. Worn out with her
eontending thoughts. she would fan
have rested there and let things take
their course. But no. She would &c
away until 1t was all clearer in her
mind.
Looking again to see If everything
was in order she saw one of Granny
Simpsons dresses hanging by the
chimney. 1t was n dingy dress, and
smelled OF tobacco. She took 1t away
to closet, and then an inspiration
came to her She brought out one OF
her own. a bright pink calico to hang
in its place, after which she tied on
her veil aud went back to Mary
AIMS.
Presently John Anderson came In to
his lonely supper, stamping the wet
snow from his boots, his head down as
usual, but the warmth and glow
struck his dulled senses, and he looked
up in dazed wonder. "NIlrandyw he
gasped. The clock licked loud through
the silent house; the golden sides of
the copper kettle winked in the fire
Hight and kept up contented singing
TO itself. The truth dawned on him
slowly. She had been there and gone.
He crawled over to his accustomed
chair that Granny usually monopo-
lzed. Mirandy's stood opposite with
h fresh red striped towel on the back
He leaned his head against the wall,
and brushed with his grizzled cheek
The crisp folds of pink calico dress.
Then he broke down and sobbed out
all the misery OF six unhappy weeks.
Two days later, and the day before
| New Years, he drove up to Mary
AIMS gate in a new cutter. He did
not ges DOWN, INIT waited for Mirantiy
| to come out.
"Mirandy," he said, the settle.
ments are made ready for you to
sign.
Yes" she answered, "but you'll
have to take me as | am. Mary Ann
got that money. She needed It verse
than ! did wedding clothes He
meeklg assented.
Going back to the house she OBJ
served:
Mary Ann, me and your father are
going TO town, peckon as tomor
row Is New Yeaf stl.Jake and
the children had "a into the
bobsled and come over dinner. l
guess you'll hear some good news"
These two undemonstrative women
kissed each other and Mirandy went
away without telling anything more.
At II o'clock the next morning Mary
Ann and the children appeared Mt the
big farmhouse. The women busted
themselves in the Kitchen and ex-
changed condolences.
II never saw such house In all my
born days. ! had to get new milk
crooks yesterday. Granny Simpson
spoiled all the old ones a-letting milk
sour In them. And the table knives
that as we had to get new ones, we
might as well have them silver
plated. The others were lots of trou-
bic to keep bright. Amt they pretty?"
Mary Ann looked sympathetic and
admired the silver. II reckon Wen
have to trade peaches and cherries,
since you didn't get TO preserve any
clingstones."
'"Thank you. We got pretty tired Of
peaches last year, but If you want the
cherries, all right. reckon your faith
accounted for John Andersons cheer
fulness. When they sat down to the
table the host bowed his head and
prayed: For these and all other bless
ngs the Lord make Ms truly thank
| full"
He looked around upon the little
family and said In a gently, explana-
tory way: "And the other blessings
are that I've got some dear children
and dear woman, who don't stick at
anything to show me how mean I've
been. Amen"
Mary Ann was bewildered. Miriam
dy was blushing brighter than her
pink dress, but she managed to say:
me and your father have been get
ting married, and he's got something
for you and jake"
SpihN Pe'GNAF
to Jake, who was slow about some
things, and Mary Ann, leaning over
his shoulder, could make out nothing
for the blur before her eyes. At last
Jake sprang to his feet and waved the
papers over his head.
MARY Ann" he cried excitedly, "its
a deed for the forty acres, with stock
and $1,000 for machinery and stock
sheds. It's given to US for good and all
by-why from Mirandy. ! don't
understand"
"Yes, It's from Mirandy,' said his
father-in-law. "Them's her settle
ments, for her and the children, and
she lowed that meant Mary Ann"
He smiled benevolently and proceeded
TO help the children to drumsticks and
gravy. There is no knowing what ex-
plantations might have followed but
the women were busy with the, chill
dren, and after dinner Jake and his
| father-in-law talked about a hired
hand, who must be secured TO take
Jake's place, now that he had farm
of his own to manage. AS they were
going home in the evening the chill
dren in the new cutter with grandpa,
] Jake said: Mary Ann, what's settle