The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1901-09-05


enough" he answered slowly; "you
were always harder-featured than
Loocy. Folks did say as you took
the skim and left the cream for her.
Yes, | see it's Martha right enough
He said it with thoughtful reslg.
nation, for she had surprised the ve-
neer of thirty years clean off him!
and they had both sprung from a
class which is giveI. to speaking
plainly about personal appearance.
"Slt down. he said little more
cordially, 'and tell me how you came
to be In these parts
II came TO keep house for Jack
in Maryland. but he died of con-
sumption two years ago"
She answered very briefly, and he
did not think fit to inquire as to her
present circumstances. If Martha
Derriman had not prospered. the fault
was none of his.
Dear, dear! and Jack the young
est of you all! What about Loocy
now? l suppose she was married up
comfortable years ago"
For all his hardness he was lit
tie i'll at ease then, and his look avoid
ed hers. IL he had seen her eyes
then In their wistfulness. as she an
swered jauntily enough
ITO be sure; married up comfort
able to Jimmy Mech, six months
after you stopped writing to her."
Although this was not true, It
should have been grateful hearing TO
Timothy. yet he resented it.
what! pretty piece like Loocy
married up to that girl, long-legged
Jimmy. a man as never thirds his
mangold? l always thought he was
after you; he'd have done well enough
for you"
Under the influence OF her presence
the unaccustomed words belonging to
his youth came trooplng back of their
own accord. No other way of speak
ing to her would have been natural;
nor did she seem offended at his in
situation that anything I'm the shape
of n man was good enough for her,
but not for Lucy. Her eyes even
sparkled as she answered.
'They are married all right and are
as happy as can be! There's heaps
OF young stock on the farm, and you
should see 'em of a Sunday setting
in church with their five boys and
two girlsl Twas pretty sight when
1 was home. but they must be fine
lads and maldens by now"
His face darliened, being a childless
man with head, money-lovlng wife;
and just then he seemed to see Lucy
in the exquisite bloom and freshness
of young womanhood. How the sun
shone in her hair, just as it used to-!
None of his gold was one tithe as
bright
Tho woman leant eagerly forward.
81 low as you really loved her at
the onset"
"God knowsl l was but boy
chap. with my way to make, and
Loocy hadn't nothen.'
But lie knew regretfully that the
lad and the girl had even then been
rich with untold wealth-rlch in youth
and hope-ay. and love, treasure
that his Golfers had not contained for
years.
You've changed" she said slowly.
What sperrity lad you nsed to be!
Can't you mind dowsing Dan Legg
in the pumptro because he served
our kitten bad-an all-over white kit
kaI III. &ef
The clerk opened the door
"Mr. Carl Rasch to see you, sir"
II cannot see him. l am particu-
larly engaged"
Then Timothy Burt turned to her
with n frown of anxious recollection
on his lined forehead.
"Not an all-over white kitten
surely; hadn't it u patch of tabby on
the back? Ay. / can mind how Loocy
hollled out; she was turrible fond or
cats. A bal buoy that Dan Leggs!
I'd do the same again" Then hab-
ltual caution asserted itself-"Bnt he
bid fair to make an awful big char :"
She eyed his unathletlc figure with
grave compassion:
you've plimmed since then. do
fancy you'd not stand much Of a
snock now. But you need not be
netting Dan Legg any more; he's been
dead these many years"
The silence lay heavy between them,
Sntll he suddenly turned suspicious;
"Where was you when dowsed
Dan? can only mind Of Loocy being
by. Where was you TOP
Il was In the bakehouse. stripping
feathers. 'Tis so long ago you for
get"
This remark was provldential In
suggesting a new train OF thought.
"You and your feathers, Martha!
couldn't bide In house when you
was bakin' of them. Tell about
smltchesl xim smell OF 'em now"
She laughed softer laugh than
Martha had ever been guilty Of
Martha, the terrible tidy woman; So
called. more In evaporation than adj
mlratIon. by the victims OF her rabid
cleanIlness-M Martha. who was too
NEAR and saving to pay her sisters