Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1898-07-08

forth. She had a feeling of satisfac-
ton in seeing them there. They had not
gone to adorn Lucinda's fine house.
For moment she had been tempted
Heaven and herself alone knew how
much the $50 offered meant to her
but it was only an instant that
she had wavered, and Lucinda should
never know it. The latter had spoken
truly; there was not another pair to
equal them. Well, Lucinda must have
some disappointments. Life had gone
very smoothly with her.
No; she would not sell those candle
sticks, poor as she was. Her mind
went back to the long-past youth;
to the family gatherings, the merry
markings, and how always the candle
sticks had been one of the important
features. They had been her grand
mothers, who had received them from
her mother, and she had had them in
the old colonial days.
The room grew dim as the flame died
down. Miss Maria arose with a sigh,
and went out into the kitchen to pre-
pare her supper.
Meanwhile, at her tea table, Mrs.
Antrim was giving her husband an ac-
count of her call. cts SO provoking.
Those candlesticks are just lost in her
mean little house. And they would
make that room perfect. I have never
seen any candlesticls to compare with
them. They used to say that old Mrs.
Henshaw's grandmother brought them
over in the Maytlower.
well, her grandmother did live in
Plymouth. The family was always
very proud of them. l should think
Maria would be glad to sell them now
that she is SO poor. But she always
was queer"
II wonder if that nephew of hers is
out of the penitentiary, yet said Mr.
Antrim.
''He was sentenced to three years
Poor Maria, she has had hard life;
that boy that she had brought up from
a baby turned out so badly, and then
losing nearly all of her property! She
dred dollars year left. don't see
how she lives! wonder how she man.
ages!"
Frequently that winter did Miss
Maria wonder about the same thing
Times were hard, and she found il
difficult to procure the sewing with
which for several years she had eked
out her slender income. Often, as hel
glance fell on the candlesticks, did the
temptation to accept Mrs. Antrim's
offer assail her. But she would Sc,
her lips firmly, and think, "No, never
One evening in March she had jus:
cleared away her supper table and was
resting before her sitting-room fire. II
was later than her usual hour for that
meal, for she had been finishing some
sewing, the first she had had in several
weeks.
A faint and hesitating knock came tc
the door. Miss Maria arose and opened
it. 1t was dark and rainy. She could
see no one. - .......
'..Who is there" she asked, sharply.
A figure moved into the light stream
ing from the door. Miss Maria repeat
ed her question.
cts me-Aunt Maria." said husky
voice, and the figure came nearer. Miss
Maria retreated step.
"You, Martin! What do you want?'
she demanded, sternly.
''I've no place to go. just got out
last week, and I've been tramping ever
since"
"And you dare come here?"
"Tm tired out-1'm hungry"
"And you come to me! You have the
assurance to come to mel" Miss
Mara's voice grew harder with each
word that she uttered.
Just let me stay tonight, Aun,
Maria, 4" .
Don't call me that" she interrupted
fiercely. =ea t"at
'You are nothing to me, go!"
''Let me stay tonight, just tonight!
I'm hungry, and it's so wet!"
''Go!" repeated Miss Maria, roughly
closing the door. A sudden and violent
gust Of wind dashed up against it. She
opened it again. The figure was moving
away. "
Martini" she called. "You may stay
tonight. sCome in,' moving back from
the door that he might enter.
He was youth of some 20 years, thin
haggard, his hair unkept, and hi
clothes disordered and weather worn
He took off his battered old hat, anC
stood trembling before Miss Maria's
awful gaze.
"You're fine sight!" she said, slow.
ly and contemporary, as her eye:
scanned him from head to foot.
The water was dripping off from his
; wet clothes and formed little pools or
!. her spotlcss floor. She stood few
!; moments regarding the wretched fig
ure, then moved quickly over to the
. fire.
est down and dry yourself" She
commanded, pushing chair in from
of the flame.
The young fellow obeyed, shiverins
: He bent over the blazing logs while
Miss Maria went out into the kitchen.
She stirred up the fire in the stove
1t was almost out, but revived suffi
GENTLY to heat some tea left from sup
: per. She poured out cup and carried
' it to her unexpected and most unwel
come guest.
Drink it," she said, CURLY. H,
: drank it eagerly, and second cu]
i which Miss Maria brought him witt
: some slices of bread and butter.
a Now she said, when he could ca
no more, 'you can stay here tonight
S Then what?" She was sitting opposit
o him, stern and unbending.
). The food and warmth had given hin