Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1902-11-26

bright hair and made SparkleS In ner
eyes, as the wreaths and trails Of au-
tumn leaves grew rapidly beneath her
deft fingers.
"Lida," she said softly, "Lida, my
dearp' 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 governess or not; because.
my dear, Joel and l were talkin' last
night, and we both thought what a
comfort 1t would be to have you here"
ITO have me here"
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.
1--WE had little girl once, my dear,
and if 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. Nlsbett" she whispered
softly. you are SO very, very kind.
Believe me, appreciate it all. but
butt hardly know how to tell you."
Mrs. Nlsbett listened intently. Ida
smiled and cried little and then whis-
pered so low 1t was scarcely audible.
81 am going to be married"
"Marriedv calculated Mrs. Nisbett,
portant piece of information. "And
who to?"
"Your son lives in Iowa-ln Parting
toni"
"Yes."
"Well did he ever mention the name
off,
Ida paused, her cheeks glowing
roses. Old Nisbett had come in with an
armful of wood. bringing gale with
him from the frosty outer world.
"I'll tell you by and by" whispered
Ida as she went back to her work.
Joel IL so out again arter awhile"
thought Mrs. Nisbett. land then I'll
near ABOUT LlQu Deau
But Joel sat down before the fire
with a 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 | 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 dozen household fai-
ries merged into one, while Mrs. Mis-
bett stood regarding her with loving
eye, murmuring to herself:
Lords will to deny us Of just what we
most want, but If had daughter l
could wish she was like Ida"
AS the old kitchen clock struck 1
Mrs. Nisbett, looking from the window,
gave little cry.
"There he comes-there comes Joel,
and, as l live, there's the boy with
himr'
Ida ran into the bedroom.
When she returned, Mrs. Nisbett was
clasped in the arms of a tall, handsome
man Of four or five and twenty.
"Lida," said the proud matron, striv-
ing to disengage herself from the affec-
tionate clasp, this is my son Stephen,
and-why, what's the matterr
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 meP'
81 preparedw echoed the astonished
old lady. "Well, that's good un,
when I'm ten times as much surprised
as you be! Ida, what does this
meanW
at means" said Ida, with demure
smile-she was beginning to recover
her scattered self possession-'it means
that this is the gentleman am to be
married tor
"Stephenw cried Mrs. Nisbett, '.is
Ida to he yoi1r wife2''