The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1902-11-27

key from which Lida's sudden appear.
ance had momentarily aroused her.
"JoePs got the turkey shut up in a
coop, and the bakin' IS done, and I'm
/ just a-hxin' them apples. and
"Oh, OH" cried Ida, who had iut-
tered to the window, what glorious
red leaves speckled over with little
drops of gold. May | make some
wreaths for the wall2 Oh, please say
yes
Mrs. Nlsbett said "yes"-it would
have been hard work to say mo" to
Lida-and the girl soon came In, her
apron full Of the sprigs of the old ma
pie tree, whose shadowy boughs kept
the window yelled with cool shadows
through the glaring summer days and
showered fading gold upon the dead
! grass when the autumn came.
Mrs. Nisbett looked with tenderness
upon the graceful little figure seated
on the hearth rug, when the shine OF
the high heaped logs lost itself In her
bright hair and made sparkles in her
eyes. as the wreaths and trails of au-
tumn leaves grew rapidly beneath her
deft fingers.
Ida" she said softly. "IIda. my
dearr' Ida looked up
81 saw your Aunt Constance yester-
day, but there's somethin' reserved
about her, and l didn't like to ask
about you-whether you had decided TO
60 out as a goyerness or not; because.
my dear, Joel and | were talkin' last
night, and we both thought what II
comfort it would be to have you here y
ITO have me here2"
Were old and we're alone, and
somehow we've both took a fancy to
you, my child. So when your Aunt
Constance goes back to the city, If you
choose to come here
Mrs. Nisbett paused abruptly and
burst into tears.
I'VE had a little girl once, my dear,
and II she'd lived she would ha' been
nigh about your age"
Ida let the leaves drop down on the
floor as she sprang up and threw both
arms round the old woman's neck.
"Oh, Mrs. Nisbett." she whispered
softly. you are SO very. very kind.
Believe me, | appreciate it all, but
butt hardly know how to tell you
Mrs. Nsbett listened intently. Ida
smiled and cried little and then whis-
pered SO low it was scarcely audible.
81 am going to be married"
"Marriedw calculated Mrs. Nisbett
with all woman's interest In this i'm
portant piece of information. And
who tor
Your son lives in Iowa-in Parting
tom"
YES"
"Well. did he ever mention the name
Of
Ida paused, her cheeks glowing
roses. Old Nlsbett had come in with an
armful of wood. bringing a gale with
him from the frosty outer world.
IN tell you by and by" whispered
Ida as she went back to her work.
Joel III go out again after awhile"
thought Mrs. Nisbett. land then I'll
hear about Lidas beau"
But Joel sat down before the fire
with complacent satisfaction which
BODIED Ill for the qualification of his
wife's curiosity. and finally aceompa-
MED Ida home, thus frustrating all
his wifes designs and cutting off her
chance of hearing Lida's story
Dear me- thought she. Il don't be
lieve the man was ever born who
knowed when he wasn't wanted How
lonesome it seems when Lida's gone,
What does the girl want to get married
for when | could Ia took such sight
O comfort with her? Oh, dear, dear.
1t does seem as if the world was all
! askew"
The next day, in spite Of the weather
prophets prediction of SNOW, daWned
clear and brilliant as the dying smile
of Indian summer. By II o'clock Mrs.
Nlsbett was dressed in her best silk
and cap, with the turkey browning
beautifully in the oven and the cram
berry tarts doing credit to themselves
as well as to their maker. the table
set, the fire high heaped with cracking
logs and the plates dressed with coro-
nails of autumn leaves. Aunt Con
stance, tall, prim maiden lady of un-
looking glass arranging her couture.
Ida, in blue dress with a late au-
tumn rose in her hair, was tripping
hithcr and thither as light footed and
helpful as half dozen household fai-
ries merged into one, while Mrs. Mis-
bett stood regarding her with a loving
eye, murmuring to herself;
well. we'll. 1t seems like it was the
Lords will to deny us of just what We
most want, but If | had a daughter
could wish she was like Ida"
AS the old kitchen clock struck
Mrs. Nisbett. looking from the window,
gave a little cry.
"There he comes-there comes Joel,
and, as l live, there's the boy with
HIM
Ida ran into the bedroom.
When she returned. Mrs. Nisbett was
claspcd in the arms of tall. handsome
man Of four or five and twenty.
"Lida," said the proud matron, striv-
ing to disengage herself from the affec-
Tomato clasp, this is my son Stephen.
and-why, what's the matterY
For Stephen had dropped her hands
/ With an exclamation of surprise and
amazcment. and Ida stood there glow
ing crimson.
"Lida, Why. mother, this is sur
prise indeed that you have prepared