Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1897-04-17

w tiny yard that sep
GRATED her cottage from the street. II
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 ut 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 q solitary cup. saucer and
plate, each OF rare old china. The sill
yer was massive, of the fashion OF
half century ago. There were slices OF
snowy homemade bread, oil cut OF ex-
Gctly the same thickness, pot OF gold
en- butter, n chicken salad. milk, glass
of amber jelly, and sugared doughnuts
1t looked tempting. But the cloud
did not lift from Miss Grants face as
che brought the steaming teapot from
the kitchen and seated herself for her
evening meal. She bowed in silence for
a 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 IL there wasn't enough to
bother without that! For the fac. oil
its being Sunday won't make any diff
ference with those unruly boys. Well,
II they attempt to play any tricks upon
me they'll suffer, that's ALL"
Had the most daring urchin In Glen
willie beheld the scowl upon Miss Sarah'a
face he would have hesiiated 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 q moment later. ITO think that
q Grant should have his home sold on 4
mortgage. I'm glad our father didn't
live to know it,"
Miss Sarah had devoted the earlier
part Of the afternoon to making calls. II
was ut Mrs. Athe-ton's that some one
had spoken of John Grant, Miss Sarah's
only brother. There was an awkward
pause, then dear old Grandma Atherton
said, gently:
"Sarah. you will pardon your moth
er's friend II she tells you something.
Johns home In to be sold on the mort
gage In three weeks. Did you know It 2"
"No," was Miss Grants uncompro-
missing reply.
''It Ii too bad" grandma went on,
after moment. "He mortgagcd Il to
get money to take his wife TO New
York for medical aid. II did her no
good, poor thing. Well. times are hard
and q man with an invalid wife and six
small children finds II almost impos-
sible TO live on clerks salary"
There was no softcning OF Miss
earah's face. After few minutes she
stiffiy bowed herself out. Grandma
Anterior watched her pass down the
street. a troubled expression on the
usually placid old face.
"I'm 80 sorry" she said. shaking her
silvered head. "sarah could SO well af-
ford to help John. She has been grow
ing richer all these yenrs while he has
been growing poorer"
This was the subject Miss Sarah was
revolving In her mind % she sat at the
tea table. II was 20 years since the
death Of her parents. The family
wealth had been equally divided be-
tween John and herself. Tier share, in
vested In her present home and judicious
loans, had doubled. John had gone
into business, lost>heavily through q
dishonest partner, signed note with
supposed friend. and paid II, then been
glad to accept 4 situation rs clerk. Five
years ago he had asked his sister to adj
vance money on his pretty home.
Sarah had refused CURLY and scolded
him for incurring needless expense.
at may do no good" he admitted.
''but cannot let Amy suffer as she does
without one more effort for her relief"
81 don't believe there 10 much the
matter with Amy" the sister declared.
Somehow the pink and white prettiness
Of Amy Grant had always exasper-
sted Miss Sarah. eff she'd exert her
self more and"
But John rose hastily. I've viii not
discuss that. II Ia time was at the
store" and he walked proudly away.
Years had widened the breach. Mrs.
Grant was still an invalid. The six
children were all Overlooking with spir-
its rosy-eheeked and happy. Sadie.
the Oldest. Ut fifteen played Al being
1,ousekeeper and NURSE. The house
was always bright and clean. butt was
TOO noisy and dIsorderly to suit fas-
tidIous Mlss Sarah. Sadie. too. wns an
othereriesance. shewasad impled-faced
eirlwifh her fHther'sclear gray eyes and
proud poiss u The head.