The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1896-11-03

Miss Nancy wondered, looking at
, The firm chin, and the hair that had
been so brown now streaked with
/ gray, If 1t was not very Lonesome ont
/ there, and If he had qlite forgotten
the old days
/ The clock at last warned her that
she must be about her preparations
T Tor supper, and after excusiDg herself
she brought in a dish OF oranges to
peel. She worked swiftly, though her
hands trembledand felt "Ill thumbs"
She had almost finished her task, when
an orange slipped out OF the dish and
rolled on the floor. Both stopped TO
pick itup, and their hands met.
Dear - he said, holding out his
arms.
Miss Nancy gave Que glance iuto
the face so near her owD, and in a mo.
ncnt was crying softly on his
shonldcr.
What m Uttered the years of waiting,
the years of toll and trouble? Moth
ing mattcrcd any more
The clock licked on, and Miss Abby
awoke from tho little "cat nap" she
he had been enjoying.
Nancy che called, sharply.
Miss Nancy started, and raised her
crimson face with its new expression
from its resting place
Wait a minute, dear heart, whis.
pcrel jim. al want to know when
You'll 60 back with me. went away
TO make a fortune and home for
you. They're waiting. When will
lou go?"
"Nhen viii go?" echoed Miss
Nancy, beviderelly.
Nancy :" called Mss Abby again.
''I'm 'lraid / don't know what
what you mean, jim" fa!tered Miss
Nancy.
why. back out West. I've got
pretty little place there, with thirty
acres or 20, aud nary n mortgage.
You'll have neighbors, for there's three
other farms near, and you sha'n't
work, Nancy, I'll get q girl"
"Ani Abby ?" asked Nancy.
Jim WIlmot stal ted.
81 had forgotten her." he said,
helplessly. "But where's the rest Of
the relations? Or why couldn't she
go to a home r-something?
The flush in Mis-; Nancy face faded,
and little line oi pain formed around
her mouth
"5he'd never stand it to leave this
place. She's lived here all her life,
Jim, she said, slowly.
There was silence for moment,
then she continued, steadily:
81 shall never leave her so good
goodby, jim"
And You'll sacrifice yerself and me
fer notion he replied. hotly. "All
right, then, / sha'n't leave my farm
nud settle down In this humdrum place
Jest fer the sake Of your sister. Good.
by, Nancy. And five minutes after
the horse drove ont Of the yard and
down the hill, while one lonely woman
s'rllrcl her eyes for last glimpse of
II, and the gathering flares OF snow
were already filing mp its tracks.
She stood there long while watch
ing the su.len clouds and tia. snow
that was coming thicker and faster.
Little pu,Ts OF wind blew the flakes OF
~uow against the pane, and Miss
Nancy wondered vaguely If they felt
unhappy because they melted so soon.
At last she reused herself and went
into the bedroom. Miss Abby, tirel
OF calling, hal fallen asleep. She was
thankful for the respite, and going
out softly, prepared her own supper
aud the iuyihls. while the wind blew
fuv.ously arouu tue little old house
and fairly shook Its foundation.
She sat by the fire with her head on
her hands long nfter her sister had
eaten her supper, and being satisfied
H I. Ha az. Cd. cad. q b.
questions, Ind gone 90 sleep again.
Int the Gre died down and it grew
chilly Il the little kitchen, 20 finally
she, too, went 60 her nights rest. it
was very late when She dropped into
light sleep, ami the morning soon
came.
The javpassel ireari'v Miss Abby
talked inoa sanity o.. Jim Jim. until
her sister felt she should scream or go
mad; b1t She d,i neither, aud was
only % little NOR. tender, little more
patient
The night -etil With regular snow
storm. Miss Abby declared they would
ue showed boo by morning. The wind
blow down tas chimney with means
lIEc on uneasy sp.ut
Tn the morning Miss Money was
.tsr.laj by the darkness 900 tho little
looms The wind had blown the snow
l big drift. against the win lows and
door What sd Abby bal feared
.li como o. pass, uuI tlcy w,r.
showed i1. E1' thers was no cause
for worry as yet. II.ra was plenty oI
.yuIiu pantry aud wood iu The
alJl.0t. llsr. ras rp stOes TO SNIFF