West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1902-11-27


grass when the autumn came
Mrs. Nisbett looked with tenderness
upon the graceful little figure ecatcd
on the hearth rug. when the shine OF
the high heaped logs lost itself In her.
bright hair ami made sparkles In her
eyes. as the wreaths aud trails OF au-
tumn leaves grew rapidly beneath her
deft Fingers.
''Lida." she said softly. "Lida. my
dcarr' Ida looked up.
81 saw your Aunt Constance yester-
day. but there's somcthln' reserved
ahort her. and didn't like TO ask
about you whether you had decided to
20 out rs governcss or not; because,
any dear. Joel and were talkin' last
night aud we both thought what
comfor, II would be TO have you here"
ITO have me hcrcf"
Were old aud we're aione. and
somehow we've both took fancy to
you. my child So when yopr Aunt
Constance goes back TO the city. n you
choose 10 come here
Mrs Nlsbctt paused abruptly ana
burst Into tears.
I'VE had little cir, once. my dear.
aud II she'd lived she would ha' been
nigh about your age"
Ida let the leaves drop down on the
floor as she sprnng up and threw both
arms round the old woman's neck.
"Oh. Mrs Nisbctt." she whispered
softly, you are 40 very. very kind
Believe me. | appreciate II ALL but
butt hardly know how to tell you."
Mrs Nisbeit listened inten,ly. Ida
smiled and cried little and then wills.
pcred no low Il was scarcely audible.
II am going to be married"
Married. calculated Mira. Nisbett,
with all n wouian's interest In this lm-
por,ant piece Of Information. And
who tor
"your son lives I'm Iowa-in Parting.
TONI"
"Ycs"
"wcil, did he ever mention the name
off,
Ida paused. her cheeks glowing
roseS. Old NIshctt had come In with an
nrui:nl of vand bringing gale with
him fr',;n the frosty outer world.
I'm tell you 10y and by" whispered
Ida as fbe went back TO her work.
Joel n 80 out again arter awhile"
thought Mrs. Nisbctt. ''nnd then I'll
hear about i.ida's benu"
but joel Sat down before the fire
with compliment satisfaction which
BODIED III for The qualification or his
wife's curiosity. und finally accompa.
nicd l.ida home. thus frustrating all
his wife's designs ana cutting OF her
chance OF hearing Lidn's story.
"Denr me- thought she. II don't be.
licvc the man was ever born who
knowed when he wasn't wantcdl How
lonesome II seems when LIda's gonel
Whit does the girl want 10 get married
for when ] could ha' took such sight
o comfort with her? Oh. dear. dearl
II does seem as II the world was all
askewi'
The next day. In spite OF the weather
prophets prediction OF snow. dnwned
clear and brilliant ms the dying smile
OF Indian summer. BY II o'clock Mrs
Nlsbctt was dressed IN her best silk
and cap. with the turkey browning
beautifully IN the oven and the cram
berry tarts Going credit to themselves
as well ss 10 their maker. the table
set. the fire high heapcd with cracking
logs and the plates dressed with coro-
uais OF autumn leaves Aunt Con-
stnncc. tnll prim maiden lady OF un.
certain ngc. stood before the bedroom
looking glass arranging her coiffure.
Ida. In n blue dress With a late au-
tumn rose la her hair. was tripping
hIiher aud thlther ms light footed and
helpful MS bnif dozen household fall
rlcs merged into one. while Mrs. Mis-.
bett stood regarding her with q loving
eye. murmuring TO herself.
We'll. well. II seems like it was the
Lords VIII 20 deny us OF just what we
most want, but II ! had daughter
could wish she was like Ida"
Az the old kitchen clock struck 4
Mrs. Nisbett. booking from the window.
gave little cry.
There he comcs-therc comes Joel,
an1. M ] live. there's the boy with
himr
Ida ran into the bedroom.
When she returned, Mrs. NIsbett Wa
ciasped In the nrms OF n tall. handsome
man OF four or Ave and twenty.
Ida" said the proud matron. striy.
ng to disengage herself from the affec.
tionate clasp. "this is my son Stephen.
nnd-why. what's the matterT
For Stephen Ind dropped her hands
with mn exclamation OF surprise and
amazcment. am Lida stood there glow
Ing crimson.
'Lida. Why. mother. this Is a sur
prise indeed that you have prepared
for me-"
y prelmrcdF' echoed the astonlshed
old lady Well. that's good uu.
WHEN I'm tcu times as much surprised
ms you be. Ida. what does this
mean?"
1T nieanS." said Ida. with demure
smile she was beginning TO recover
her scattered self posseSsion-"lt means
that this Is tile gentleman am to be
married to-.
"sicphcnr cried Mrs. NIsbctt. 'is
iida 10 he your wifeT'
''eif ,ns given nie her promise 10
that curct az least" said stephen,
lsollng proudly down upon his lovely
little flancce.
well. N II don't beat oil how queer
things do happcnF' said Mrs. Nisbett,
her face rndiant And you've been
Iivln' neighIior 10 me these six weeks
and ! never kBowed II. Ida. why
didn't you tell mcy"
"Bccausp never dreamed that Ste.
plicn RlHinebaui my bctrothed western
lover. was anything 90 Mrs. Nisbett."
said f.iGa. lansllifv.
"'fhcre It's. now circulated the
farmer "i.ow WIS she TO know that
lac was only tiy rcrbcw. adopted when
his parcnts died. twenty good years
rgo. Wee always called him son,
and bo's always bccn syn 20 MS But
Lldn didn't know Old woman. what
DO you sny 10 Stephens wifeT