Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1902-11-21

drops OF GOlds May l make SOM
~ tbs for the wall? oh, please sa.
yes"
Mrs. Nisbett said "yes"-it woult
have been hard work to say mo" Il
Lida-and the girl soon came in. hel
apron full Of the sprigs of the old ma
pie tree, whose shadowy boughs KEPT
the window yelled with cool shadows
through the glaring summer days and
showered fading gold upon the dead
grass when the autumn came.
Mrs. Nisbett looked with tenderness
upon the graceful little figure seated
on the hearth rug, when the shine of
the high heaped logs lost itself in her
bright hair and made sparkles in her
eyes, as the wreaths and trails of au.
tumn leaves grew rapidly beneath her
deft fingers.
Ida" she said softly. Ida, my
dear Ida looked up.
Il saw your Aunt Constance yester-
day, but there's somethin' reserved
about her, and | didn't like TO ask
about you-whether you had decided to
60 out as governess or not; because.
my dear, Joel and | were talkin' last
night, and we both thought what a
comfort it would be to have you here"
ITO have me here?"
Were old and we're alone, and
somehow we've both took fancy TO
you, my child. So when your Aunt
Constance goes back to the city, If you
aba,sa 70 cnt,,n hnrat'
Mrs. Nisbett paused abruptly and
burst into tears.
I'VE 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 Nisbett," she whispered
softly, you are so very, very kind.
Believe me, | appreciate it all, but
butt hardly know how to tell you
Mrs. Nisbett listened intently. Ida
smiled and cried little and then wills
pered so low it was scarcely audible.
II am going to be married.
"Married"' calculated Mrs. Nisbett,
with all woman's interest In this i'm
portant piece of information. And
who to-"
Your son lives in Iowa-in Parting
TOM
Yes"
We'll, did he ever mention the name
Of
Ida paused, her cheeks glowing
roses. Old Nisbett had come in with an
armful of wood, bringing a gale with
him from the frosty outer world.
I'm tell you by and by" whispered
Ida as she went back to her work,
Joel II go out again arter awhile
thought Mrs. Nisbett, and then II!
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 wifes designs and cutting off her
chance of hearing Lidas story.
Dear me- thought she. II don't be.
lieve the man was ever born who
knowed when he wasn't wanted. How
lonesome it seems when LidaS gone,
What does the girl want to get married
for when | could ha' took such Il sight
o comfort with her? Oh, dear, dear!
1t does seem as if the world was all
lskew"'
The next day, in spite of the weather
prophets prediction of snow, dawned
clear and brilliant as the dying smile
Of Indian summer. BY IL o'clock Mrs
Nisbett was dressed in her best silk
and cap, with the turkey browning I
in the oven and the cram
berry tarts doing credit to themselves
rs well as to their maker. the table
et. the fire high heaped with cracking
ogs and the plates dressed with coro-
lals of autumn leaves. Aunt Con
tance. a tall, prim maiden lady of I'M
certain age. stood before the bedroom
ooking glass arranging her couture J
Ida, in blue dress with a late au- |
umn rose in her hair. was tripping
Iither and thither as light footed and i
elpful as half Il dozen household fai-
les merged into one. while Mrs. Ms
ett stood regarding her with loving
We, murmuring to herself:
"Well. well. it seems like it was the
.ord's will to deny us of just what we v
lost want, but if | had a daughter |
ould wish she was like Ida =
As the old kitchen clock struck ] q
Irs. Nisbett. looking from the window.
ave little cry.
..vIri
nd, as | live. there's the boy with
inn -
Ida ran into the bedroom.
When she returned. Mrs. Nisbett was n