Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1903-11-24

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
Aaring 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.
"Lida," she said softly, "Lida, my
dear!' Ida looked up.
II saw your Aunt Constance yesterday
but there's somethin' reserved about her,
and I didn't like to ask about you
whether you had decided to 60 out as a
governess or not; because, my dear, Joel
and I were talkin' last night, and we
both thought what comfort it would be
to have you here"
ITO have me here2'
Were old and we're alone, and some
how we've both took fancy to you, my
child. So when your Aunt Constance
goes back to the city, If you choose to
Mrs. Nisbett paused abruptly and burst
into tears.
'We had little girl once. my dear,
and if she'd lived she would ha' been
nigh about your age"
Ida ret 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-
hardly know how 10 tell YOU"
Mrs. Nisbett listened intently. Ida
smiled and cried little and then whis-
pered so low it was scarcely audible.
Il 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
top
'Your son lives in Iowa-in Parting
TONI"
YES
"Wel, did he ever mention the name
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'll tell you by and by whispered
Lida as she went back to her work.
"Joel'n go out again arter awhile
thought Mrs. Nisbett, "and then I'll hear
about Lida's beau
But Joel sat down before the fire with
a complacent satisfaction which boded
i'll 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 me!' thought she. 81 don't be-
lieve the man was ever born who know
ed when he wasn't wanted! How lone
some it seems when Lida's gone! What
does the girl want to get married for
when I could ha' took such a sight o.
does seem as if the world was all
askewr'
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, tall, prim maiden
lady of uncertain age, stood before the |
bedroom looking glass arranging her Golf
fure. Ida, in blue dress with late
autumn rose in her hair. was tripping
hither and thither as light footed and
belpful as half a dozen household fairies
merged into one, while Mrs. Nisbett
stood regarding her with a loving eye,
to herself:
"Well, well, it seems like it was the
Lords will to deny us of just what we
most want, but if L had a daughter /
could wish she was like Lida.''
As the old kitchen clock struck Mrs.
Nisbett, looking from the window, gave
a little cry.
''There he comes-there comes Joel.
and, as l live, there's the boy with him."
Ida ran into the bedroom.
When she returned, Mrs. Nisbett was