The Savannah morning news., 1901-12-01

why, that's Top-knot and the Dork-
ing chickens. She Matched every egg,
and I've let her have the run of the
garden, but I'll shut her up if you say
So"
"Lavinia Simpson" cried Rhoda
tragically, do you mean to say you
set the Dorking eggs under that hen?'
"Of course I did. Don't you remem-
Der you told me to do SOP"
Il told you?" repeated Rhoda trem-
bling with weakness and excitement,
Il told you to set the eggs that cost
me so much trouble under one of Mel
son Rabbits hens?"
oh a light broke into Lavinia's
brain. She understood now why Mel
son had smiled so queerly when she
praised Top-knot's motherly qualities.
The scamp" she thought amusedly.
HE ought to have told me my mis-
take"
Aloud she said carelesly. 80 that's
one of Nelson's hens. We'll. she's a
good little mother, and though I'm sor-
ry for the mistake, there's no harm
done She seems to know how to man
age a family"
"Of course there's harm done! cried
Rhoda. How do you suppose 7 feel
to have Nelson Dragging that he let
me have hen to set my Dorhng eggs?
Id lotted on them so much, too. and
just as likely as not he'll claim the
whole lot
Hes mean enough TO do it!' and
here her weakened nerves gave away
and she sobbed pitifully.
Now Rhoda," said her sister
resolutely. You know Nelson couldn't
be hired to do such mean thing! I'm
ashamed of you keeping up silly
quarrel all these years just because
your pride was hurt when poor ma
asked Nels to take care of you. He
wasn't to blame for that, and there's
no sense in your laying it up against
him.
I'm not going to have you flying in
the face of Prudence any longer.
Why. every dumb thing on the farms
knows what's right. and does it best
to go shares with Nels.
IT'S nothing but pride that keeps
you two apart. for l know he thinks
the world of you
A red flush crept over Rhoda's pale
face. He acts like it" she said bit
terly.
Yes. think he does" replied Law
inia ignoring the sarcasm, and as for
you, | believe you love Nelson Rabbit
and always have, and you needn't beny
it,
I'm not going to deny it, It's true"
Rhoda lifted her head de1antly.
Then you're a wicked woman
You've let your pride spoil a good
mans life. to say nothing of your own
said Lavinia sternly.
Rhoda moved uneasily. 81 wasn't
going to be thrown at any man head
she murmured covering her face again
"Rhoda!'
She dropped her hands and sprang
up with a startled cry. "Nelsoni Mel
son Babitt, you here?" she stammer-
ed. Then you heard"
Yes" he answered, II heard what
it is worth a life time of misery TO
hear. You can't send me away now.
sweetheart" and he drew a step
nearer while Rhoda fell back in her
chair sobbing like a child, and then
Lavinia slipped away and left them
together.
An hour later she ventured out upon
the piazza and found them sitting there
hand in hand, like two children.
Nelson was first to see her. Don't
go" he said as she drew back. you've
been a good friend to me when hadn't
one in the world" and he glanced mis-
chievously at Rhoda's crimson face, az
he added.
IT'S taken us a good while TO make
up our minds. but we've at last decid-
ed to take Deacon Welman's advice
and get married In order 20 keep rot
only the pigs. but the hens In the
family"
Said Lavinia. I'm glad you've come
10 your sense ~ last