The Savannah morning news., 1901-12-01

laughed as if they'd never stop.
"As for Rhody, she was pale as death
ar fust an then red as a piny, an
pretty soon she up an fiounced out
meetin,' an Nels set there turnln an
sorts O. colors, an lookin' as II ne
like to foller her if he darst.
"That was the end o the church
meetin's. an finally the pig was solo
an the money given to the MISSION
aries. Twas months afore Rhody q
look at the Deacon. an she doesn't ike
him any too well now
lest arter that she sold her hogs
an went to keepin' hens, an she does
well, only she's afraid Nels II git
ahead of her You know he does con-
sid able in the hen line, too.
But land if it amt twelve O'Clock
an I must run" and she hurried away.
Its worse than I supposed Mrs.
Simpson said meditatively. Its eight
years since ma died, and querrals, like
children. grow larger every added year.
It's a shame, too, for l know they
like each other. But I'll see if 1 can't
straighten things out before I go
home"
The weeks that followed were hard
ones for both sisters. Rhoda didn't
improve as the doctor expected, and
low fever followed the accident and
left her weak and irritable.
It's dretful tejus work to take care
of her" Mrs. Hawkins confided to Mel
Son Babbitt when he stopped and
rather sheepishly inquired, 'How's
Rhoda?"
She's lookin' bad" she continued.
IAN ! shouldn't be surprised to have
her go off any day." and Nelson went
home more disturbed about her than
he had believed it possible to be again.
His old love for her revived, and he
passed a sleepless night, and in the
morning, pale but determined, present
ed himself at Rhoda's door and had n
long interview with Lavinia, from
which he went home in a more cheer
full frame of mind.
He was at the house every day after
that, and so helpful that Lavinia Won
dered how she had managed without
him, and grew more determined that
he and Rhoda should make it up"
The chickens We're sources of endless
toll and anxiety to Lavinia and throw
ing herself into a chair in Rhoda's
room one morning she exclaimed. I'm
thankful I don't own a hen farm I'm
tired to death running after them, and
if I've shooed that old speckled hen
off the nest once l have a dozen times
this morning"
(which one is it?" asked Rhoda
languidiy.
II can't tell one hen from another,
but she's what Nancy Hawkins calls
kinder yaller Completed. and has a
tuft of white feathers on her head"
That's Top-knot!" exclaimed Rhoda.
land ] want her to sit on the Dorking
eggs. You'll find them I'm basket in
the pantry. I wish you'd attend to
them now" she added fretfully. and
LaYinia reluctantly left her comfort
able chair to set Top-knot with the
DorSing eggs.
In due time these were Matched and
Top-knot was the pround mother of
twelve chicks.
Rhoda was still confined TO her room,
though able to hobble about with a
cane. and the doctor promised she
should get down stairs i'm a day or so.
Il suppose / shall have TO keep my
own side OF the hedge then" said Mel
son ruefully. He had been mailing up
d vine at the corner of the piazza that
morning.
II suppose So" answered Lavinla.
unless you can manage to surprise her
into owning that she cares for you, as
! believe she does"
Il wish" he began eagerly.
what that hen doing here"
The voice was weak but the tone WAS
sharp, and the pair started guilty.
and while Nelson slipped round the
corner OF the house. Lavinia hurried
10 the front.
"Rhoda sutton. What are you doing
heref' shc cried, as ahe forced her into
a chair
What's that hen doing hcrerr per.
sisted RhOda as she sank back weakly.
and pointed 10 the aweotpes bed whore
Top knot was diligently scratching for
her brood Of uhickenB,