The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1900-12-29


N from one window to another
~ and gazed upon the sur
rounding scenery. Truly it
was worthy Of attention. for Mother
Nature had been very lavish IN the dis.
trublton OF her beauties around Bar
tonyille, and on this October morning
the hills and valleys were decked IN
az the gorgeous iiufs Of autumn foli
age.
Yet Aunt Eliza saw none Of this; her
heart yearned for the kind husband
who had suddenly been taken from
her Hers had been a life OF peace
and plenty. but now had come the
hardest Of an hloWs IN her declining
years.
Years ago when her only child died,
she took her brothers two little girls
TO live with her mud for sixteen years
she and her husband had taken the
places Of their dead parents.
After Thomas Barions death II was
found ilaat there was little more than
the grand old house left 20 the widow.
and she. whose FIRST thought had al
ways been for others. was now griey-
ing not only Tor the dead. but because
she was no longer able 70 provide in
the old way for her two nieces.
Bessie Gardiner sat In an easy chair.
regarding her aunt with an unsympa
thetic lcok. when Beth came in.
Wen. auntie. how do you think ]
look n she asked. gayly turning from
side to side as II 10 invite criticism
VERY nice. but what does q ali
meanY asked Aunt Eliza
Cant you guess. dears Look At this
dress and apron-this large shade bat
and this nice bright shining pail. I'm
going TO pick cranberrics. Come, Bes.
Sc. are you comingf
sBeth Cardiner What DO you meant
How dare you think OF such a ihingi
Pick cranbcrrics. indeed You shah
not disgrace us IN this way. You
know that Gerard Dayton is 20 call
this afternoon" cried her sister angri-
H.
.Well. ! suppose you can entertain
him. said Beth; then going 10 her
aunt. she throw her arm around her
neck and said earnestly
Dear aunt. DO you think I am In
sensible 20 an your goodness You
have been q mother TO as since our
own mother died. and we never can
half repay you. l realize that you
are no longer 10 a position 70 do as
YOU have done. and we must take our
turn now. From this time, dearie-
you are my special charge, and just
as ! would take caic Of my own dear
mother WIN J gladly care for You"
Aunt eliza WAS deeply affected, and
returning Betu's caresses. replied:
"God bless you. my darling
HcssIe regarded her sister scornfui'
Iy ana asked:
And pray, DO you intend 70 support
the family by picking cranberriess
.No. dear" quietly replied Peth. IL
have engaged to teach the village
school at q salary Of $3.50 a year. Not
& large sum. / know but n win keep
the wolf from the door. aunte. and it
may be the beginning OF better things
II was my secret. and ] have uivulged
II sooner than Intended But | must
make haste or / shall earn no dimes
to-day Good.by; better come Bessie
Wait tin you see my wealth rolling IN.
NY but youll be envious." And gay
ly kissing her hand to ihem both. she
tripped lightly down the path and was
soon lost 70 view.
when she returned from her work
late IN tic afternoon Bessie was seated
on the lawn with Gerard Dayton at
her feet. How cool and comfortable
she looked. and what contrast 70
her own appc rance Yet. at the sight
az her bright, rosy face. Gerard Day
ton's countenance lighted up with un-
mistakable pleasure
Bessie noted this. aud in a voice
which plainly showed her disposition
said:
Here is our rustic maiden now. SIR.
Dayton. what think you Of Beth In
her new spherer
But Beth gave him ne chance 70 re-
ply. She burst forth with
"Oh. il was great fun. Why, the
little things never looked SO pretty as
when 7 saw them growing. 1t seemed
almost q shame to rob the slender little
vines of their adornment But the en-
thusiasm Of the plckers' Is infectious.
and soon found myself 'scooping EN-
ln' with an cagerness Wondering on
ettollacss Aud see. here are the
checks whish 4 received for my labor
forty two. That number represents
S320 OF course. had help; I didn't
pick half Of them.r she said. laughing.
~ "bul Il ls very gratifying to my
vanity ! suppose you would cali it. !"
II am sure. Miss Beth, that you are