The Somerset reporter., 1900-12-20

The last scarlet bar OF the gorgeous
autumn sunset was fading out behind
the tall poplars along Turkey creek
when Barstow Browns creaking old
farm wagon turned the corner Of the
road which led TO bis lonely and Ill
kept home.
There's the light Albumin already
In Mis- Elviry Richards window" he
commented. at does git dark awful
early nights now. Seems like hern's
the cleanest KEEP an the cheerfulest
lamp in the bull township"
And indeed ii did seem to illuminate
with its friendly radiance the little one
story house By the roadside. 1t looked
like a beacon--a star. 1t made Farmer
Brown think In admiring but unformu-
lated fashion Of a steadfast love-pure.
unwavering. brilliant 1t attracted
him. 1t drew him-the worn and
harassed body and soul of him. Uncon-
sciously he frightened the rens. But it
was not until the plodding horses
stood still in response that he won
dered whether he might venture in
visit
Suddenly he lifted his head and
sniffed-once, twice. Then he hurried
ly twisted the reins around the whip
stock and clambered down from tie
high seat Swiftly. soundlessly. ex-
cuse apd encouragement had come to
him-in the guise of an odor at that
IL. f,.fs 1T.
chill sauce" He was hurrying up the
short path to the front door at which
he knocked. "Pll tell her want the r.
ceipt for Susie Reilly to make some
by. That's the ticket. Oh. howdy. NJ :
Richards! | was goin home from mill
an the incest smell come a-hoatin
down the road, Seemed s if | WAS
back in mothers again. an she was
putin up chilli sauce" He sighed and
moistened his lips at the recollection.
80 | thought I'd come in an find how
you make it. Our ripe tomatoes amt
all gone yet. Maybe Susie Reilly could
make quart or so!'
Forty placid and benignant summers
had passed over the brown head Of
Elyira Richards. but where was the
girl along Turkey creek who carried
herself with more grace and dignity.
and what matIon could boast such a
fresh complexion and bright eyes as
shci
ITO be sure!' she cried heartily.
You come right in. Mr.. Brown" She
drew forward the best rocking chair.
with the Rattenberg tides on the en-
treating red plush arms.
"'Tisn't rluch | need make. livip
alone as ! do, but a good storeroom Is
a fine thing to fall back on. You'd need
lot In your house, I'm thinkin. Il
give you the receipt with pleasure. an
a jar to ta''a nome for Susie to taste
by. How does she get on. Mr.. Brown"
Barstow Brown looked around the
bright little room, at the shining gla'
lamp with the red flannel wick, Will /
stood behind the row of freshly potted
geranium 81 DIS In the recessed window.
then back at the plump. white aproned
figure opposite.
Not too we'll Mis- Richards She's
kind of shiftless. II comes natural to
some folks to be shiftless. Seems like
the work allus keeps a bit ahead of
her. Seems like she can ne more catch
up with IL than-than she could with
a cottontail. But she means well. Most
shiftless folks allus means well. got
to be movin." He rose reluctantly.
THE young ones. they'll be a-mlssin
me-"
Lands sake, now, an you couldn't
wait till | make you cup Of coffeef
No? That's too bad. Wait till 1 get
you the chill sauce. anyhow. What's
that? Could you come out to the kltch
en- while I'm a-gettin it? Why, of
course. Mr. Brown
Twittering and stepping briskly.
Miss Elvira tripped ahead. and Bar
stow Brown plodded after. He was
aghast at his own temerity, but Ia
nppetizing smell of the chill sauce
drew him to the kitchen as the white
brillance of the lamp had drawn him
to the parlor.
MY" He breathed and stopped
short. This BEATS He was looking
around the gayest, coolest, most i'm
maculate little kitchen he had ever be-
held. From the black mirror of
stove. with Its golden grin through the
opened draft. to the shining plates on
the dresser the row of crimson filed
glass Jars on the table. the dishpan
that glittered like silver and the cat
asleep on the braided mat. all things
bespoke industry, energy. comfort
Something in his attitude OF tiruidi
ty. In his look Of wonder that wa. al
most one of awe: In his neglected per
sonal appearance. went straight TO tue
woman's warm heart of Miss Elylra
Pioha"ds He had been such a spruce.
good looking fellow 10 years ago! Her
glance, that was keen If kindly, noted
all things-the shirt with the band all
gone; the coat, with holes at the ell
bows; more than all, the hollows at
his temples and in his checks. Those
and the weak tears that came into his
eyes! She busted herself writing out
the recipe--and talking.
at amt any too easy. ! guess, with
only Susie. She never was a hand 10
look after children. an there's three
to your place. | expect ii amt been
like home since-since Cyrilla went
away"
Barstow Brown was silent 1t had
not been a happy home before Cyrilla