Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-05-26

The chickens went to rcost, and Nam
again took up her pensive vigil on the
front steps.
The gloom deepened in the room
where Els Ann remained alone. She
was overwhelmed by the debris OF ali
the plans she had built on the Sl2
Nam had so foolishly spent for the
worthless box with roll of perfo-
rated paDer inside. She should haVf
carried the money with her when she
went to Monticello instead Of leaving
it in the bureau drawer and telling
Nam to watch out that tramp didn't
sneak in and get it. Seemed like them
there agents always waited till she
went away TO flock in on Nam. Musi
all know about her. Orto be some
law ag'ln agents. An where was she
to get money for that new winter jack
ct now? Butter'n eggs didn't fetch
any more thun would buy groceries an
shoes. with dress for Nam now an
ag'in. She'd Geen wearin' that OLD
jacket for years an years. Let's see,
how long was it? Well, hard to tell
exactly, but ever since the winter Thea
Brasstield begun to keep comp'ny with
her-fOr at least seven years comm
twict week, Winsd'ys an Satd'ys.
as reg'la as prayer meetin'. an never
word about gittin' married. Course
keepin' other fellers away. Everybody
thought they'd marry-had been think
in g, for six years-at least everybody
cent Els Ann
go right in, Thea. Els Ann, she's
In yander,' she heard Nam say from
her perch on the steps. Then Thea's
big boots dumped across the porch.
the screen door creaked and he sat
down in chair respectable distance
behind Els Ann. )
whats a you got in that box, Els
Ann?" he asked.
"lt amt no box" she replied listless-
ly; Its organette."
"Gee-mo-nee!' said Thea. PLAY us
choon' Els Ann moved the little
crank There was chuckling sound.
preliminary note or two; then 1t be-
ban to play Nearer. My God, to
Thee ''Suwanee River" Yankee
Doodle Annie Laurie" jigs, waltzes,
operatic airs, all i'll the same spiritless,
sleepy tone, came from the organette
as Els Ann, bound in the charm Of the
unaccustomed dissipation, turned on.
| BY degrees Thea Brassfeld moved
| the chair nearer and nearer to Els
Avn yy'hor r,oop lifto1 itc vel
low head above the lilac bush and
looked in at the window, Thea's left
arm was around Els AIMS shoulders.
| After what seemed to Thea hours of
| blissful oblivion from the cares Of
chinch bugs in the corn and smut on
the oats the music stopped abruptly.
| Els Ann reached out and felt the roll
er where the perforated paper had
been wound 1t was empty.
! Thea leaned forward The music
! had sanctitied the air. He felt like he
did the day he tiptoed up to the coffin
| and looked Mt his dead mothers face.
| 1t seemed sacrileg:ous to speak, SO he
pressed Els AIMS shoulder tenderly.
j She turned her face to him.
| ELS Ann" lie whispered-"Els'A Ann,
| will you have mef"
| Els Ann bowed her head. You
knowed would before you axed me,
she said gently and sighed as one signs
who sees great labor finished and put
| aside.
The screen door creaked. and Nam
stood in the CLEAN of moonlight flow.
| ing in through the window.
you put the han'le on the back roll.
er now" said she. "an' wind it up;
then it plays 'em all over ag'in. That's
what the fel!er said"