The Holly chieftain., 1897-04-16


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 a little impatiently
MS she turned from the window. Her
neatly spread tea table stood waiting.
There Were 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
actly the same thickness, pot of gold
en- butter, 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,
too! AS if there wasn't enough to
bother without that! 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
me they'll suffer. that's ALL"
Had the most daring urchin in Glen
vile beheld the scowl upon Miss Sarah's
face he would have hesitatedlong 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 moment later. "To think that
Grant should have his home sold on a
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. 1t
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 Atherton
said. gently:
Sarah. you will pardon your moth
er's friend il she tells you something.
Johns home is to be sold on the mort
gage in three weeks. Did you know it?"
NO" was Miss Grants uncompro-
missing reply.
1T is too bad," grandma went on,
after a moment. HE mortgaged it to
get money to take his wife to New
York for medical aid. 1t did her no
good, poor thing. Well, times nre hard
and man with an invalid wife and six
small children finds it almost impos-
sible to live on a clerks salary"
There was no softening of Miss
sarah's face. After few minutes she
stiffly bowed herself out. Grandma
Atherton watched her pass down the
street. troubled expression on the
usually placid old face.
I'm SO sorry" she said, shaking her
silvered head. Sarah could SO well af-
ford to help John. She has been grow
ing richer all these years while he has
been growing poorer"
This was the subject Miss Sarah was
revolving in her mind as she sat at the
ten table. 1t 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
into business. lost heavily through u
dishonest partner. signed n note with n
supposed friend. and paid it, then been
glad to accept a situation as clerk. Five
years ago he had asked his sister to adj
vance money on his pretty home.
sarah had refused curtly and scolded
MIN Tor incurrsng needless expense.
1T may do no good," he admitted,
put cannot let Amy suffer as she does
without one more effort for her relief"
i don't believe there T. much the
matter with Amy" the sister declared.
somehow the pink and white prettiness