Rosebud County news. [volume] (Forsyth, Mont.) 1901-1906, 1902-11-27

Mrs. Nisbett listened iiitently. Ida
smiled and cried little and then WIS
pered SO low it was scarcely audible.
II am going to be married.
"Married!' calculated Mrs. Nisbett,
with all u wO.nan's interest in this I'M
portant piece. of information. And
who too"
"Your SON lives in Iowa-in Parting
TOM"
Yes"
"Well. did he ever mention the name
off,
Ida paused, her cheeks glowing
roses. Old Nisbett had come in with ali
armful of wood. bringing n gale with
him from the frosty outer world.
IN tell you by and by" whispered
Ida as she went back to her work.
Joel II go out again arter awhile
thought Mrs. Nisbett. land then Ill
hear about Lida's beau"
But Joel sat down before the fire
with cOmplacent satisfaction which
BODIED i'll for the qualification of his
wife's curiosity, and finally accOmpa-
MED Ida home, thus frustrating all
his wife's 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 l could ha' 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.
Nisbett 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-
certain age, stood before the bedroom
looking glass arranging her coiffure.
Ida, in blue dress with late au.
tumn rose in her hair, was tripping
hither and thither as light footed and
helpful as half a dozen household fai-
| ries merged into one, while Mrs. Mis-
bett stood regarding her with loving
eye, murmuring to herself:
"Well, well, it seems like it was the
Lords will to deny us Of just what we
most want, but if had a daughter I
could wish she was like Lida.''
AS the old kitchen clock struck l
! Mrs. Nisbett, looking from the window
| gave little cry.
"There he comes-there comes JOEL
and, as live, there's the boy with
| him"
Ida ran into the bedroom.
| When she returned, Mrs. Nisbett was
clasped in the arms of tall, handsome
man of four or five and twenty.
Ida" said the proud matron, striv
ing to disengage herself from the affec
tionate clasp, this is my son Stephen
and-why. what's the matter?"
For Stephen had dropped her hands
with an exclamation of surprise and
amazement. and Ida stood there glow
ing crimson.
"Lida! Why, mother, this is a sur
prise indeed that you have prepared
for me!''
81 prepared!' echoed the astonished
old lady. well, that's a good un
when I'm ten times as much surprised
as you be! Ida. what does this
mean?''
ut MEANS" said Ida, with a demure
smile-she was beginning to recover
her scattered self possession-"it means
that this is the gentleman l am to bt
married to!'
"Stephen!" cried Mrs. Nisbett, sis
Ida to be your wifey'
"She has given me her promise t.
that effect, ut least" said Stephen
looking proudly down upon his Lowell,
little fiancee
"Well, if it don't beat all how queer
things do happen" said Mrs. Nisbett
her face radiant. "And you've beer
Twin neighbor to me these six weeks
and l never knowed it. Ida. VIII,
didn't you tell me?"