Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1902-03-28

ionably large sleeves. 1t had just been
made over and the size of the sleeves
was supposed to offset the seantness
the nelghbor dressmaker there wasn't
any more pieces. and twas better the
serimpin' should come in the skirt, for
ones skirt didn't show in ones coffin,
and II she was to die sudden before
styles changed, why, the waist would
do nicely for her to be laid out In"
A moon in its second quarter was
showing above the eastern horizon as
Rastus walked across the lots after
helping his mother off. Beyond, at the
end of the lane, was another house. old
fashioned and yellow painted. There
lived Mr.. and Mrs. English, two child
less, mlddle-aged people. They We're
coming up from their house now. AS
he waited by the fence in the shadow
of lilac bush he could see them dis
unctly In the clear moonlight
somewhat bent figures, stepping irreg-
ularly. Between them walked another
figure. with youthful poises of head and
shoulders. and his heart gave queer
little jump at the sound of girls
laugh.
IF l haven't stove my thumb into
this cake" Mrs. English was saying
Never mind, ma. Turn Il 'tother
side to when you hand it in, and no.
body'll notice." suggested her husband.
The musical girl laugh sounded again.
Let ME carry 1t, Aunt Martha"
With thrill Of satisfaction 'Rastus
saw the nakpin-covered plate change
hands. The slim, quick-stepping figure
was ahead of the others now. As she
reached the gate he seized the coveted
opportunity, and moved forward, awk-
wardly snatching off his hat.
Good evening, Miss Holland. Let
me open the gate for you"
Never did gate latch so long refuse
to lift; and when she had passed
through was 1t not to pause and turn
back with pretty "Oh. dear" How
he blessed the rose branch that caught
her skirt, and so held her for his re-
leasing. THANK you," she said de-
murely, looking at him with the MOON
light In her eyes. Old Nell came up at
a brisk trot, but his mother was alone,
sitting very erect and holding the reins
far apart.
The Blake girls couldn't come Miss
Betsey had a bad turn last night, and
Miss Harriet didn't want to leave her.
SO you see you could have rode down
well enough. l know you've spoiled
wet grass cross lots"
"Well, you won't have to ride home
alone" said 'Rastus, happily, as he
helped her out. What were new shoes
In comparison with that interchange
of glance from a girls eyes. 81 don't
believe the Harlows were very much
surprised after all, mother. When I
got here every window was lighted.
We're early, too"
One by one, in twos and threes, and
merry family loads, the guests arrived;
and there was talk and laugh and inter-
change of kisses among the women; an
awkward standing aloof or scraps of
neighborly chaff among the men, until
the elder masculine element drifted to
the kitchen, the younger to the long
hall. and the. sitting-room circle was
strictly feminine.
Lou Harlow, bustling about among
the guests was more busily hostess-like
than Mrs. Harlow, herself. "Sarell
never mistrusted until the last minute"
she was telling every one. when we
suggested her fixing more'n usual for
the evening. she said she just knew
something was up
"Yes, it was real surprise until
then" corroborated Sarell Harlow, her
usually quiet face very animated, 'T
didn't suppose any one would remem-
Der that VIII and had been married
ten years to-day. It's real pleasant to
have ones friends so remembering"
Mrs. Green, taking inventory of the
tin things OH tile table smiled benignly
upon the speaker. She had found but
one dipper among the pile, and natur
ally felt the prestige of being the only
person who had given an unduplicated
article. Mrs. Dodgson. the local mer
chants wife, began talking at her ell
bow.
How nice Lou Harlow looks to-
night. That lace at her throat is very
becoming. hear something about her
and your Rastus. How's that?"
Mrs. Green drew herself up stiffly.
Folks can hear a good deal" she
said.
Rastus looks rather young to think
of marrying And Lou-why, she's
let me see." Mrs. Dodgson screwed her
face into arithmetical Fuckers. shes
three years older'n 'Rastus | remem-
Der she was born the same year as my
Ameret"
"Oh, well, it's the fashion nowadays
for men to marry older'n themselves"
Mrs. Green answered, with a. blandness
born of remembrance that Mrs. Dodg-
sons own son had welded woman
ten years his senior-a widow with an