The Western news., 1901-07-24
MRS. BARRY'S HEARING

~~-~c~~~~-~~~~~~~~~
N0 Y!' exclaimed old Mrs. Barry
IM as with the freedom of one priv
~0Silege she walked without
knocking into the bright and cozy
kitchen of Miss Mora Minturn, what
ever does smell so good? Seems" with
another sniff, .'as eff it might be chilli
sauce"
Miss Minturn, in trim gown Of
dark-blue print, protected by great
bib" apron of turkey-red calico, nod
ded and smiled as she placed a chair
for her unceremonious visitor.
As rule, people in Tattleton were
'averse to exercising their lungs for the
benefit of Mrs. Barry. 1t was almost
impossible to make her hear, and if
you succeeded in doing SO, you were
more liable to be misunderstood.
Are you goin' to eat all that your
self this winter?" demanded the new
conner with her blinking eyes fixed on
the big granite kettle two-thirds filed
with the pungent, crimson, appetizing
mixture.
Miss Minturn felt that a nod and
veracity would now be at variance, so
she turned toward her questioner and
called out loud and clear:
mo. Nest of this is for person who
has such an attack of rheumatism she
could not pick up the tomatoes and
onions and peppers and put them up
herself"
Mrs. Barry continued to look at her
blankly and inquiringly. Mora Minturn
went up close to her.
Part OF the sauce" she exclaimed,
close up to the ear of her guest. ..is for
Mary Ann Cotter. who lives in the
Hollow"
i should think his help could do that
much cOokin' for him!' declared the
old lady. "He keeps enough of 'em. |
aIlus wondered, More-seein' as how
the talk has kinder got around to it
what for was the reason you and Mar
Ion Potter, of the Hail. didn't get mar
xied years ago, seein' you was sparkin'
so long"
Mora smiled as she noticed how the
old woman had confounded the two
names, which, until this moment, had
never struck her as being similar.
Il said Mary Ann Cotter, of the Hol-
bow. Mrs. Barry" she shouted.
The old woman flung up her hands
with gesture of irritation.
I'm little hard o. hearin', l allow.
but amt so deaf that amt heered
what you said. Some o. that there
good-smellin' chilli sauce is for Marion
Potter, of the Hall. Now you see."
Miss Minturn smiled as she went
back to the stove and fished her net
bag Of whole spices out of the thick
red compound. 1t was useless to i'm
press the truth on convinced Mrs. Bar
~. But she made her cup of tea and
Drought out some snowy tea cakes for
her delectation, and listened patiently
and with apparent interest to her bab-
ble, until the prosy soul took it into her
head to depart and hobbled off down
the white, winding road
A serious look came into Mora Min.
turns face as she went ON sealing lin
her chilli sauce in the little wide-moutb.
ed Jars she had saved for the purpose.
Marion Potter! So people had not
forgotten about her engagement to him
twelve years ago. What was the fool
Ash trifie about which they had quarrel
ed? And she had sent him back his
ring with few bitter words express
sive Of her satisfaction at having dis
xpovorod bor CT 10 in, tive
She had been wrong-all wrong. She
had other suitors after that, to be sure,
but she had found herself comparing
them to Marion Potter, invariably to
their detriment, and had discouraged
all such attentions. And now that her
mother was dead. and the boys were
gone and married, and she lived alone
In the cOzy little homestead with only
>&he orphan nephew she was bringing
mp, she found 1t lonely at times-very
lonely.
Walking across the kitchen, she re-
yan1ed her reflection in the little wal
nut-bound mirror that hung near the
window. The face that looked back at
iher was fresh, unwrinkled and pink
checked, despite her thirty-six years.
Her simple. active. kindly life had kept
her youthful In mind and body. But
ahe sighed az she turned away.
At that hour Marion Potter, stalwart,
gallant Of bearing. was
riding black horse slowly homeward
through the mellow sunset light. Many
) m,a ii3an had can't him shy 0lances of