Custer County Republican. (Broken Bow, Neb.) 1882-1921, 1903-11-19

been hard work to say mo- to Ida
and the girl soon came In, her apron full
Of the sprigs of the old maple tree,
whose shadowy boughs kept the window
yelled with cool shadows through the
giaring summer days and showered fad
ing 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 autumn leaves
grew rapidly beneath her deft fingers,
Ida" she said softly, "Lida, my
dear" Ida looked up.
Il saw your Aunt Constance yesterday
but there's somethin' reserved about her,
and | didn't like to ask about you-
whether you had decided to go out as a
goyeness or not; because my dear, Joel
and | were talkin' last night, and we
both thought what comfort 1t would be
TO have you here"
TO have me hereY'
We're old and we're alone. and some
how 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.
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. Be
lieve me, | appreciate it ALL but-but-
l hardly know how 10 tell you"
Mrs. Nisbett listened intently. Ida
smiled and cried a little and then whis-
pered SO low it was scarcely audible.
II am going to be married"
Married. calculated Mrs. Nisbett,
with all a woman's interest In this i'm
portant piece Of information. "And who
TOT"
Your son lives In Iowa-4n Parting
ton?'
YES"
well, did he ever mention the name
Of"
Ida paused, her cheeks glowing
roses. Old Nisbett had come in with an
from the frosty outer world.
"I'il tell you by and BY" whispered
Ida as she went back to her work.
"JoePll go out again arter awhile"
thought Mrs. Nisbett, land then I'll hear
about Lida's beau"
But Joel sat down before the fire with
complacent satisfaction which BODIED
Ill for the qualification of his wife's curl
osity, and finally accompanied Ida home,
thus frustrating all his wife's designs
and cutting off her chance of hearing
Lida's story.
Dear mel" thought she. II don't be-
heve the man was ever born who know
ed when he wasn't wanted! How lone
some 1t seems when Lida's gone! What
does the girl want to get married for
when l could ha' took such a sight O.
comfort with her? Oh. dear, dearl 1t
does seem a. IL tho world was all
aSkeww
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. Mis-
bett was dressed in her best silk and
cap, with the turkey browning beauti-
fully in the oven and the cranberry 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 coronals of autumn leaves.
Aunt Constance. a tall, prim maiden
lady Of uncertain age, stood before the
bedroom looking glass arranging her Golf
fure. Ida, In a blue dress with late
autumn rose in her hair. was tripping
hither and thither as light footed and
helpful as half a dozen household fairies
merged into one, while Mrs. Nisbett
stood regarding her with a loving eye,
murmuring to herself:
well, well, it seems like 1t was the
Lords will to deny us of just what we
most want, but if / had daughter /
could wish she was like Ida"
AS the old kitchen clock struck / Mrs.
Nisbett, looking from the window, gave
little cry.
'"rhere he comes-there comes Joel,
and, as live, there's the boy with himr'
Ida ran into the bedroom.
When she returned, Mrs. Nisbett was