The Jennings daily record., 1902-07-15
\ Mrs. Barry's Hearing. |


she walked without knocking into the
bright, cozys- kitchen OF Miss Mora
Minturn,~ whatever does smell SO
good7 Seems with another sniff,
as ef it might be chilli sauce"
Miss Mintrun. in Q trim gown of
dark blue print. protected by . great
bdb" apron Of turkey-red calico,
nodded and smiled as she placed a
chair for her unceremonious visitor.
AS rule. people in Tattleton were
averse to exercising their lungs for
the benefit Of Mrs. Barry. It was al
most impossible to make her hear, and
II you succeeded in doing so, you were
more than liable to be misunderstood
Air you goin' to eat all that your
self this winter?" demanded the new
conner with her blinking eyes fixed on
the big granite kettle two-thirds filled
with the pungent, crimson, appetizing
mixture.
Miss Minturn felt that a nod and
veracity would not be at variance, so
she turned toward her questioner and
called out loud and clear:
No. Most of this is for a person
who has such an attack of rheumatism
she could not pick the tomatoes and
onions and peppers and put them up
herself
Mrs. Barry continued to look at her
blankly and inquiringly. Mora Min
turn went up close to her.
Part OF the sauce" she exclaimed
close up to the ear of her guest, ''is
Tor Mary Ann Cotter, who lives in the
Hollow"
should think his help could do
that much cookin' for him!' declared
the old lady. HE keeps enough Of
'em. allus wondered, Mora-seein' as
how the talk has kinder got round to
it-what for was the reason you and
Marion Potter, OF the Hall. didn't git
married years ago, SEEM you was
sparkin' SO long"
Mora smiled as she noticed how the
old woman had confounded the two
names, which until this moment had
never struck her as being similar.
Il said Mary Ann Cotter, of the Hol-
low, Mrs. Barry" she shouted.
I'm little hard O. hearin', I allow,
but amt 80 deaf that l amt heered
good-smellin' chilli sauce is for Ma
rion Potter, OF the Hall. Now you
see"
Miss Minturn smiled as she went
back to the stove and fished her net
bag OF whole spices out of the thick,
red compound. 1t was useless to i'm
press the truth-to attempt to impress
1t, rather-on convinced Mrs. Barry.
But she made her a cup of tea and
brought out some snowy tea cakes for
her delectation, and listened patiently
BILE, until the prosy soul took it into
her head to depart and nobbled off
down the white, winding road.
A serious look came into Mora Min
turns face as she went on sealing up
her chilli sauce in the little wide
mouthed jars she had saved for the
purpose.
Marion Potter! So people had not
forgotten about her engag cement to him
twelve years ago. What was the fool
lsh trifle about which they had quar-
relied? And she had sent him back
his ring with few bitter words ex-
pressive Of her satisfaction at having
discovered her mistake in time.
She had been wrong-all wrong.
She had other suitors after that. to be
sure, but she had found herself COM
pairing them to Marion Potter, invari-.
ably to their detriment, and had dis
couraged all such attentions And now
that her mother was dead, and the
boys were gone and married she lived
alone in the cozy little homestead with
onlysthe orphan nephew she was bring
ing up, she found it lonely at times
very lonely.
Walking across the kitchen, she re-
garded her reflection in the little wal
nut-bound mirror that hung near the
window. The face that looked back at
her was fresh, unwrinkled and pink
checked, despite her thirty-six years.
Her simple, active, kindly life had kept
her youthful in mind and body. But
she sighed as she turned away.
AT that hour Marion Potter, stall
wart, bearded, gallant of bearing
was riding his huge black horse slow
ly homeward through the mellow sun
light. Many maiden had sent him
shy glances of admiration-many who
would have been honored by his hon.
age since those old days when he was
known as the lover of Mora Minturn.
But he was not the man to give his
heart twice nor to do woman the
Injustice ST Offering her mere affection. !
AsQVounded by his books and dogs,
ID out Of his own life at his
II home on the hill
B! Look out!" he cried, sud |
eining up. by George, but l |
rode over you!'
bid woman coming toward him,
mad so Unexpectedly darted for