The Delta independent., 1896-04-22

yecs ee1sS ts ysss
on her lap, but her eyes were unrclent-
ing. After moments hopeless irrcso-
luton, Bartlett bent his head over his
plate and murmured:
For what we are about to receive,
oh, make us truly thankful. Amen"
Mrs. Bartlett echoed the last word,
having also bowed her head when she
saw surrender in the troubled eyes of
her husband.
Now, It happened that Yates, who
had seen nothing of this silent struggle
Of the eyes, being exceedingly hungry,
was making every preparation for the
energetic beginning of the meal. He
had spent most Of his life in hotels and
New York boarding houses, SO that II
he ever knew the adagc "Grace be-
fore meals" he had forgotten it. In
the midst Of his preparations came the
devout words, and they came upon him
MS = stupefying surprise. Although
naturally = resourceful man, he was
not quick enough this time to cover his
confusion. Miss Bartletts golden head
was bowed, but out of the corner Of
her eye she saw Yates look of amazed
bewilderment and his sudden halt OF
surprise. When all heads were raised
the young girls still remained where
II was, while her plump shoulders
quivered. Then she covered her face
with her apron, and the silvery ripple
Of . laugh came like . smothered
musical chime trickling through her
fingers.
why, Kitty!" cried her mother, in
sstonishment, what ever Is the mat
ter with your"
The girl could no longer restrain her
mirth.
You'll have 70 pour out the tea,
mother" she exclaimed, as she ned
from the room.
For the land's saie!" cried the as
tonished mother, rising to take her
frivolous daughters place, what ais
the child? don't see what there Is to
laugh At"
Hiram scowled down the table, and
was evidently also Of the opinion that
there was NO occasion for mirth. The
professor was equally in the dark.
II am afraid, Mrs. BARTLETT" said
Yates, that am the innocent cause
OF Miss Kitty's mirth. You sec, madam,
it's . pathetic thing to say, but really
I have had NO home life. Although I
attend church regularly, Of course" he
sddcd, with jaunty mendacity. Il must
confess that I haven't heard grace Mt
meals for years and years, and-wcI.
wasn't just prepared Tor It. have no
doubt made an exhibition of myself
which your daughter was quick TO see.'
1T wasn't very polite" said Mrs.
Bartlett, with some asperity.
II know that" pleaded Yates, with
contrition, but 1 assure you II was un-
intentional on my part"
"Bless the mani" cried his hostess.
II don't mean you. ( mean Kitty. But
that girl never could keep her face
strnight- She always favored me more
than her father"
This statement was not difficult to
believe. for Hiram, 1T that moment,
looked rs II he had never smiled in his
life. He sat silent throughout the
meal, but Mrs. bartlett talked quite
enough for two.
"well, for my part" she said, II don't
know what farming's coming TO. Henry
Howard and Margaret drove past here
this afternoon rs proud IS Punch In
their new-covered buggy. Things is
very different from what they was
when I was q girl. Then . farmers
daughter had 70 work. Now Mar
garet's took her diploma At the ladies'
college, and Arthur he's begun At the
university, and Henry's sporting round
in new buggy. They have . piano
there, with the organ moved out into
the back room"
The whole Howard lots . stuck-up
set,- muttered the farmer.
But Mrs Bartlett wouldn't have that.
Any detraction that was necessary
she felt competent TO supply without
help from the nominal head Of the
house.
"No, don't 20 20 far ss TO say that.
Neither would you, Hiram, IL you
hadn't lost your lawsuit about the
line fence; and served you right, too,
for IL wouldn't have been begun II I
had been 1t home At the time. Not
but what Margaret's . good house.
keeper, for she wouldn't be her moth
er's daughter II shc wasn't that, but
IL does seem 70 me . queer way 70
bring up farmers' children, and only
hope they can keep IL up. There were
no pianos NOR French and German in
my young dsya"
"You ought 70 hear her play! Ny
lsnds!' cried young Bartlett, who spoke
for the first time. His admiration for
her accomplishment evidently went
beyond his powers Of expression
Bartlett himself did not relish the
turn the eonversstSon had taken, and
he looked sooewhat unessily st ths
two younG stsangefs. The pg0fessos's
cosstsaaosswasopsA sad frank, sd he
was listening WITH respectful interest
10 Mrs. BaStletCs talk. Yates bent
over his plate with aushed face. SD