The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1903-04-09


one on each side But to his surprise
his uncle scowled slightly and hurried
him into the house.
Only the CHEEKY voice of the fire
welcomed him. Herbert turned ques-
toningly to his uncle.
aunt? Is she wellT'
Jonas Alwyn showed momentary
confusion before the boys clear
glance. Then he said hastily:
"Well-oh, yes; but she amt to home
jest now-won't be fer several days"
Time sped swiftly. There was so
much to see and to do! True. his un
cle's disposition varied from extreme
cheeriness to fits of moody abstra ction.
He proved to be so skillful cook that
he filled his nephew with wonder.
'I'll bet aunt's pancakes don't beat
yours" he remarked one morning. his
mouth full of light cakes and strip
making the compliment trifle indis-
tinct.
Jonas started. then pushed away his
coffee as though something had affect
ed his appetite.
They're a sight better" he said 80
gloomily that Herbert laughed out
right.
81 didn't think you'd be sensitive on
the subject. uncle. When she comes
I'll tell her what you said. Have you
heard from her lately?"
"Not to say lately"
"Muther thought she was here when
You wrote" went on Herbert.
lis +. ..P rose eECittdlT.
"Yc Cent mean it, ne declared vc
hementIy. "No; We don't mean 1t.
cause We don't know nawthin' about
it. But she amt set foot in this house
for eight year come next November"
Herbert rose. pale in his turn.
'I'm sorry" he faltered. Il never
knew-mother doesn't know-that "~v-
thing had-gone wrong"
"Everything's gone wrcng," said his
uncle miserably. Suddenly he clutched
his nephew and hurried him to the
door. then down in the pathway. where
he faced him about before the two
fruit trees. ......
"This one" said his uncle. waving
his right hand much as if he were i'll
Producing duchess. sis Miranda Sweet,
and this one" wave to the left and a
frown, "is Miranda Sour
Herbert smothered desire to laugh,
ooh! Named after my aunt
"Jest so! Them two are Soc:!.in's.
an planted 'em the spring size went
away. It's mighty queer that the!
come true ter the names | give EN-!
AS ter her goin'-that WIZ misulder-
standin' She's got prop'ty Of her own,
about ez much cz i own, an she's
Twin on it ten miles away. I amt
he chOked little-"I amt seen her
sence that spring mornin' when she
an me had it out in the kitchen. ]
watched her bunnit so round the turn.
an'-an' amt heard word Of her
'cept what the neighbors let drop"
'Since she's only ten miles away"
said Herbert with all the straigEtfor-
ward confidence Of youth, Il should
90 to her and tell her it was just a
misunderstanding = 81: ."sg.*:f
That's jest what | can't do" re-
turned his uncle with extreme moodi-
ness. Every time | start. an I've
started more'n onct.' suthin pulls ME
back. | do b'lieve it's Miranda Sour"
miranda Souri,"
'When she went away. named
them two seedlin's fer her Miranda
Sweet" his voice faltered. Ito mind
me of how purity she looked the day
she an me stood up before the preach!
er. She was the pink cheekedest and
softest eyed gal in the hull village
then. 49, 70 80 = 81
81 named that tree Miranda Sour"
the old man went on doggedly, Ito
mind me how set an contrary your
aunt kin be when she's inclination
that away! That tree has got all of
Miranda's aggravatinest ways the
very way them leaves f1irt at ye is
jest perzactly like the fling Miranda
could give them skirts of hern when
she was swishin' past We an wouldn't
listen to reason
Herbert hit Miranda Sour q sharp
blow with stick.
81 wish worm would gnaw you.
wish a hurricane would blow you
down.
mo SIGH luck" said Jonas in tones
which expressed certain mournfui
pride. in his forecasting. mo sich
luck, She'll keep on a-growin.. an
Miranda an me will keep on gittin'
furder an furder apart" ~
Herbert looked round furtiyely. then
sided up to his uncle. ssa4A ~
'sgut her down. he whispered. one /
eysfon Miranda Sour to seSif she oyer.
heifd.
;s;e,pt. hsr ,downp excla{mM Uepas
! 81 81 81