The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1897-04-16

nrated her cottage from the street 1t
was the last day of March, but the air
was full of the magnetic influence OF
spring. The grass was freshening while
in the bed of brown earth at the right OF
the walk hardy dalfodils, jonquils and
one adventurous hyacinth nodded to
the passers-by,
Miss Grant sighed little impatiently
as she turned from the window Her
neatly spread tea table stood waiting
There were a solitary cup, saucer and
plate, each of rare old china. The sill
yer was massive, of the fashion OF a
half century ago. There were slices Of
snowy homemade bread, all cut OF eX-
ectly the same thickness, pot of gold
en- butter, a chicken salad, milk, glass
of amber jelly, and sugared dOughnuts.
1t looked tempting, But the cloud
did not lift from Miss Grants face as
she brought the steaming teapot from
the kitchen and seated herself for her
evening meal. She bowed in silence for
q moment. Then. adjusting her nap
KIN carefully over her neat black cash
mere, she said to herself:
"And to-morrow's April Fools day
tool AS if there wasn't enough to
bother without thatl For the fact OF
its being Sunday won't make any diff,
ference with those unruly boys. Well
if they attempt to play any tricks upon
NE they'll suffer, that's all"
Had the most daring urchin in Glen
Vile beheld the seowl upon Miss Sarah's
face he would have hesitated long before
attempting TO fool" her. She creamed
her tea and slowly buttered slice OF
bread.
81 haven't the heart to eat" she ex,
claimed a moment later. ITO think that
a Grant should have his home sold on q
mortgage. I'm glad our father didn't
live to know it,"
Miss Sarah had devoted the earlier
part of the afternoon to making Il
was at Mrs. Atherton's that some one
had spoken of John Grant, Miss Sarah's
only brother. There was an awkward
pause, then dear old Grandma Athertou
said, gently:
Sarah, you will pardon your moth
er's friend if she tells you something
Johns home is to be sold on the mort
| gage in three weeks. Did you know it p
NO." was Miss Grants uncompro
missing reply.
sit is too bad" grandma went on
after a moment. ale mortgaged it Il
get money to take his wife to New
York for medical aid. It did her NJ
| good, poor thing. Well, times are hare
and a man with an invalid wife and sil
small children finds it almost impos
sible to live on a clerks salary"
There was no softoning of Mis-
sarah's face. After a few minutes sh
stifiy bowed herself out. Grandm,
Atherton watched her pass down tn
street, a troubled expression on III
usually placid old face.
I'm so sorry. she said, shaking he
silvered head. Sarah could so we'll at
ford to help John. She has been grow
ing richer all these years while be ha
been growing poorer"
This was the subject Miss Sarah wa
revolving in her mind as she sat at tn
tea table. 1t was 20 years since III
death of her parents. The famil
wealth had been equally divided be
tween John and herself. Her share, in
vested in her present home and judiciou
loans. had doubled. John had gon
into business, lost heavily through
dishonest partner, signed a note with
supposed friend, and paid it, then bee
glad to accept a situation as clerk. Fiy
years ago he had asked his sister to az
vance money on his pretty bomr
Sarah had refused CURLY and scoIde
him for mourning needless expense.
1T may do no good, be admitte,
''but ! cannot let Amy suffer as she dee
without one more effort for her relief.
Il don't believe there is much tn
matter with Amy" the sister declare.
Somehow the pink and white prettines
of Amy Grant had always exaspel
sted Miss Sarah. eli she'd exert heI
self more and"
But John rose hastily. ave viii nc
discuss that. 1t is time was at tn
store, aud he walked proudly awal
Years had widened the breach. Mr.
Grant was stiIl az invalid. The 81
children were RIi overiOwing with spil
its, rosY-cheeked and happy. saGil
the Oldest. at fifteen played al bsin
honsekseper and nurse. Tbs hons
was sFways bright and clean, butt wa
too noisy and disordeFly to suit IA
tidiaus Miss SaEah. Sadie. too. MAS al
athergrieganee. SheWasa dimpled-faee
MIL .7sfzt. t,s.gs 3, $50 - =