Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1897-04-15

tiny yaru lndI sep
arated 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 daffodils, 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
half century ago. There were slices of
snowy homemade bread, all cut of ex-
getty 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
4 moment. Then. adjusting her nap
k.n carefully over her neat black cash
mere. she said to herself:
And to-morrow's April Fools day,
too! As if there wasn't enough to
bother without that! For the fact of
its heing Sunday won't make any diff
ference with those uuruly boys. Well,
IL they attempt to play any tricks upon
NE they'll suffer, that's all"
Had the most daring urchin in Glen
willie bpheld the scowl upon Miss Sarah's
face he would have hesitated long before
attempting to fool" her. She creamed
her tea and slowly buttered a slice of
bread
II haven't the heart to eat" she ex-
claimed a moment later. ITO think that
a Grant should have his home sold on
mortgage. I'm glad our father didn't
hive to know it."
Miss Sarah had devoted the earlier
part of the afternoon to making calls. II
vas at Mrs. Atherton's that some one
had spoken of John Grant. Hiss 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 if she tells you something.
Johns home is to be sold on the mort
gage III three weeks. Did you know it?'
No" was Miss Grants uncompro-
missing reply.
lit is too bad" grandma went on,
after a moment. He mortgaged it to
get money to take his wife to New
y ork for medical aid. 1t did her no
good. poor thing. Well, times are hard
and a man with an invalid wife and six
small children finds it almost impos-
sibIe to live on clerks salary"
There was no softoning of Miss
Sarah's face. After few minutes she
sIifly bowed herself out. Grandma
A;herion watched her pass down the
street, d troubled expression on the
Usually placid old face.
i'm So sorry" she said. shaking her
siIN cred head. Sarah could so well af-
ford to help John. She has been grow
ing richer ali these years while be has
been growing poorer"
This was the subject Miss Sarah was
revolving in her mind as 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. Her share. in
vested in her present home and judIcious
loans. had doubled. John had gone
dishonest partner. signed note with
supposed friend. and paid it, then been
glad to accept a situation as clerk. Five
Years ago he had asked his sister 10 ad-
vance money on his pretty home.
Sarah had refused CURLY and scolded
him for mourning needless expense.
lit may do no good" he admitted.
"but cannot let Amy suffer as she does
" ithout one more effort for her relief"
Il don't believe there is much the
matter with Amy" the sister declared.
Somehow the pink and white prettiness
of Amy Grant had always eAasper-
ated Miss Sarah. If she'd exert her
self mere and"
But John rose hastily. I'VE will not
discuss that. II is 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-cheeked and happy. Sadie.
the oldest, at fifteen played al being
and nurse. The house
was always bright and clean, but it was
too noisy and disorderly to suit fas-
tidious Miss Sarah. Sadie, too, was an
other grievance. She wpsa dimpled-faced
girl with her father'sclear gray eyes and
Rroud poise Of the head.