The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1899-05-03

Brown BeSS 1Or!' her mother asked, looA-
ing up from the dough she was kneading.
Il could go to the academy, mother, for
two more terms was the answer. Then.
perhaps l could-get the school at the Cor
ners."
Nonsense Susy. l need you 20 help me-"
her mother said. Keeping school is a
thankless business"
Its money" said Susie, land l do long
to help myself, and you, too. Money will do
everything that needs to be done"
Eyes, that's fact" spoke up Tom, land
there's lots wants to be done. I'd like to
clear that five-acre lot for potatoes and corn,
but l can't do it,
"And the house wants shingling' her
mother said plaintively, her careworn coun-
tenance taking on another shadow.
The front doors got crack all the way
across" Tom spoke up again, land there
ought to be fireplace in grannys room.
Then there's the barn; it's all we can do to
keep the hay dry
Il know all that" said Susy. 81 know the
house is getting TO be a scarecrow, and the
barn is worse, and that's why l want to be
earning. AS for the shingles. should think
you could put them on yourself, Tom; yes,
and mend the door"
"Where's the shngles?" Tom asked, in
his matter-of-fac way. where's the nails?
Where's the hammer? The old one is broken
past mending And where's the money to
get them with, should like to know"
Sure en- ugh,' said Susy, unless l could
earn it. That's why 1 want to sell Brown
Bess"
And If you do sell her, you won't get
much.' Tom said. she's so full of her tricks
the craziest colt l ever saw
I'm more and more afraid to have you
ride her, her mother said. But if you
should sell her, there's the mortgage to be
paid in October
eff sell her." said Susy. quietly, cit will
be to finish my education
That's always your cry" her mother went
on, in plaintive tones, mo matter what's
needed; but l s'pose we must give in. Bad
as the roof is, it shelters us. What would
we do without a house over our heads?"
I'D sell the cow, too put in Tom.
"And then grandma would just about
starve.' the mother supplemented.
Susy turned away from the table. angry
and grieved. but she said nothing, only ran
upstairs to her own room.
They dent see it," she sorrowfully muir
INJURED. They can't understand that it's
for their good and comfort I want to get
that school. I'm willing to wear old clothes
and to walk three miles and back every
day for the sake of finishing my education.
Let the roof leak awhie-if Tom don't patch
1t. Let granny sleep downstairs, where
there's a fire I'll help them all in year or
two--but they don't see it-they won't see it.
If can only sell Brown Bess! I'd go and
beg time for the mortgage or I'd borrow
money-or. maybe I get enough to re-
pair the house and go to school, too. If
only Brown Bess wasn't such little vixen!
1t will go hard to part with her, though; it
was my fathers last gift"
Tears rushed into the dark eyes but she
depressed them and went down stairs.
After helping her mother about the house
she donned her sunbonnct and ran into the
barn. Tom was rubbing down Brown Bess,
whose bright glossy coat shone like satin.
Much as l can do to take care of her."
said Tom. She wants regular groom who
would break her Of her nasty little tricks.
See how she throws her head up, and look
at her eyes flashing fire. Are you going to
the store? Mother wants sugar and molasses
and vinegar-and I've got to go to the field
Yes. I'm going said Susy. though I
dread it, the bill is so large. If sell Brown
Bess. that's the first thing I'll pay"
THAT and the mortgage" said Tom.
"Well, I'll saddle old Dick
Susy mounted to the back Of the slow old
cart horse with gloomy forebodings. 1t was
a warm September day. Even In the midst
Of her anxiety the beauty of the ride to
Hilston soothed and delighted her. Every
detail of the way was familiar to her. yet
when she came to Silver Ledge Falls, and
saw the white spray leaping over granite
rocks and dancing among tiny islands, she
stopped cid Dick and sat enjoying the scene
as if she had never beheld it before.
Good morning" said voice behind her.
ooh, Charlie she exclaimed with {. start
81 didn't hear you coming"
"No? The falls loud. I saw you
at the bend and followed, Going to town."
Yes Charlie" she made reply, and in
spite of herself her voice held cIri:u
tremor
you're worried over something" he said,
the keen lovers eyes noting the shadows.
Yes Charlie little-the same old trou-
lie. l want to set things to rights--and-
it's hard work. she said in low voice.
Il knew it. Why don't you leave all these
matters and come with me? The house is
waiting for you-ard SO am l. Susy dar-
ling. make up Your mind
He held out his hand, look of unutter-
able love making his rugged face beautiful.
IF father had only lived she said. "But
You rnow it is impossible, now, Charlie.
can't leave r'othernCt yet-and l must
finish the course az the B. academy and
keep school at least a year before I get
things Strengthened cut
He gave a long. low whistle, then urged
on his horse. bat storrcd again till Susy
came up with him.
You know III wait for YOU Susy as long
as you say, but It's rather hard on me, as
I'm forehanded and ready to marry Susy,
come, make up your mind. My house is a
large one. I'll take your mother and gran
ny. Tom can run the old farm, and
What! Let you support me and the
family too? Never" and her eyes flashed.
q would never permit it."
well, Susy, I've declared my willingness
to help you. if only you would let me- said
Charlie, but since you won't don't look so
sad and worried my darling. It's worth
serving and saving for seven years if can
only win you at last for my wife"
"Oh, Charlie' she said brokenly, "your
love is priceless. Only be patient"
I'll try and keep on hoping he said,
and they parted at the store.
The grocer met her with smile. Every
body liked Susy. No girl more genial than
she under ordinary circumstances, but to-
day her face was clouded, her manner pre-
occupied.
"Mr. Lee, have made up my mind to sell
Brown Bess,' she said, after getting the
things he poa6o1 "To vov Lpou onvhodv