Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1903-11-25


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
glaring summer days and showered fad
ing gold upon the dead grass when the
autumn came.
Mrs. Nisbett looked with tenderness
upon tho 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
tha wreaths and trails Of autumn leaves
rev rapidly beneath her deft fingers.
| Ida" 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 go out as q
governess or not; because, my dear, joe
and I were talkin' last night, and we
both thought what a comfort it would be
to have you here"
"To have me here"
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 tc
come here
Mrs. Nisbett paused abruptly and burst
into tears.
1--WE 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-
1 hardly know how to tell you"
Mrs. Nisbett listened intently. Lda
smiled and cried 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
tor
"Your son lives in Iowa-in Parting
toni"
YES"
"Wen, did he ever mention the name
| Of
Ida paused, her cheeks glowing
roses. Old Nisbett had come in with al
armful Of wood, bringing gale with him
from the frosty outer world.
"I'll tell you by and by" Whispered
Ida as she went back to her work.
"JoePll 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 bodec
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 mel" thought she. 81 don't be-
lieve tho 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 fol-
when l could ha' took such sight o
comfort with her? Oh, dear, dear! II
does seem as if the world was al
askewl"
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 bcauti
| fully in the oven and the cranberry tarts
doing credit to themselves as well as tt
their maker, the table set, the fire high
heaped with cracking logs and the plates
dressed with coronaEs of autumn leaves
Aunt Constance, tall, prim nader
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
helpful as half dozen household fairies
merged into one, while Mrs. Nisbet1
stood regarding her with q, loving eye
murmuring to herself:
"Well, we'll, 1t seems like it was the
Lords will to deny us of just what we
most want, but If I had a daughter
could wish she was like Ida
AS the old kitchen clock struck 1 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
~