The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1900-10-31

|
ing over the foam-touched waves as
they lashed up against the beach. 1t
was very strong tonight, and there was
n dash of sleet with II. Miss Canary
had drawn her striped shawl closer
about her shoulders and stirred the
fire into brighter glow.
She was n thin. angular woman, of
60 or more. Her face was hard with
many lines OF care. She had not taken
| life easily; though. living alone In the
little cottage, her simple, uneventful
life had had seemingly few grievances.
/ Miss Canary tended her flowers. kept
her house in order, and owed no one.
What cause had she then TO worryi
Tonight she held in her hand a let
ter, and more than once settled her
spectacles to re-read 1t. Joel Canary
her only brother, was at the point of
death. How she had loved him! 1t
seemed. tonight, that she could see
him so plainly-a little lad, when she
was already n woman grown, running
to her for everything, his sunny curls
tossing brightly over his white fore
head; could see again his laughing
eyes.
She had loved him with all the
forgiven him for loving ard marrying
as he had done. She had opposed II from
the beginning. a pink and white doll
face, that was all! 1t had been a grim
satisfaction, when the news came that
the foolish little woman had run away
from home to join some opera COM
pany, dcsertlng child and husband.
That was what the story had been.
She had not cared to investigate 1t fur
ther. 1t was nearly five years ago, and
she had not forgiven Joel. He had
but met his deserts. she had said stern
ly. Now he was dying. He had not
prospercd. the letter said, and there
was nothing to leave, nothing save
the little lad-Joel." And the writer
begged in her brothers name that she,
his only sister and kinswoman. would
care for the child. She Eliza Canary,
who had no dealings with children,
who dreaded their approach as some
unknown species of untamed animal!
She had suddenly the care and re-
sponsibility of one thrust upon her!
Her untasted tea stood on the little
round table. Mousey, the big Maltese,
rubbed herself against her mistress
dress, vainly desiring notice. Miss
Canary had indeed forgotten that she
had no tea, and that Mousey's saucer
of milk had not been poured. She
sighed heavily and folded up the let
ter.
"It's got to be, I s'pose," she said.
Much living alone had given Miss Can
ary the habit of talking to herself. II
s'pose l know my duty; the Lords
always made 1t plain enough for me,
whatever folks may say bout not
knowing what the Almighty wants 'em
to do. That's just shiftin' the respon-
slbillty. I'm thinking. Joers child! /
l almost wish I'd seem him afore he
went; but / told him I'd never speak
to him again II he married that girl,
an / never broke my word yet, an
never intend to-but oh, l wish to
mercy the cpild hadn't pever come!
How ever Tin to keer for it. I don't
know. There'll be dirt over every
thing-my carpets an clean floors; an
noise like the Fourth of July all the
year round. An he'll be certain to
tease Mousey."
This slast was evoked by the factthat
Mousey had put up her paw and was
gently patting Miss Canary's lap. The
old woman rose mechanically, and,
with hands that trembled little,
poured the milk. The wind outside
blew the curtains at the windows. 1t
sounded like a voice of distress afar
of.
II never knowed the wind to blow
that way and bring anybody luck"
said Miss Canary; "an' it sure has
brought my share Of trouble" she ad-
ded with groan.
For the next few days Miss Canary
held herself and home in readiness for
her new charge. She had repaired
little white bed in small but spot
lessly clean room. She carefully laid
pieces of drugget by its sides for the
bare feet. She baked an overwhelm-
ing number of pies, and even made
doughnuts. She had not made any for
so long that they were rather n failure.
"But boys stomicks can stan most
anything" she said, IAN Joel used to
love 'em So"
When finally the boy arrived, having
come in charge of comparative stran-
ger travelling in the same direction,
Miss Canary was not prepared for him.
She was in the back yard hanging out
her modest array Of washing, when
the vehicle stopped, and n tlny-such
tlny-little figure was lifted out, and
then the driver whipped up his horse
and was off, leaving what looked like
bundle of rags at the gate.
Miss Canary's hands were wet, she
wiped them hastily upon her apron as
she hurried forward. Two grave blue
eyes-Joel's had been blue-met hers.