Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1903-07-30
MISS KONORA'S LOVER.
~~Noo@O.NN~N
OO HERE! That bit o red do

NO HERE! mat DIT o req 90
VI brighten things considerable;
- Honora turned her head
from side to side so as to get the best
effect Of the jar of holly She had ar
ranged for the mantelpiece.
AS she spoke, the cat looked up
from the hearth and purred its salts
faction, the wood fire cracked cheer
ily, and the kettle hummed Il song of
contcntment.
Uonora took up her knitting-she
was never idle long and soon the
busy click of her needles joined the
chorus of approval.
But somehow the stockings did not
lengthen as rapidly as usual tonight;
every now and then Honora laid down
her knitting to gaze at the jar Of
holly.
Poor Honora. Her hands had al
ways been so full of work that she
had never found time for the little
ornaments of life. and the bright, red
berries had warmed her heart.
There had been very little to bright
Vii iNi tNNlity NiSht SNt'i'' 'N'' oA'N4
all, she admitted, as she regarded the
holly, it might have been worse, and
things We're coming her way at last.
Since the age Of fifteen she had
been provder and protector for the
two younger children, but during the
weary years that followed their or
phanage, hadn't Silas been the most
faithful Of lovers? She was going to
reward him for his patience at last.
poor fellow. now that she had full
filled her promise to her dead mother,
and Lisette and Paul were able to
help themselves.
Out Of the meager funds the rents
brought in she had managed, with
the help of her needle, to give them
little education, and when Lisette
came home from the adjoining town.
where she had been with relative at
school for the past year. she ought
to know enough, Honora reflected, to
teach the younger village children,
and Paul was apprenticed to neigh
boring mechanic.
There was no longer any reason
why she should not marry Sllas-now
that she would not be a burden to
him. If her life had been full of
work, hadn't his been empty of love?
And, yes. she would reward him for
those years of patient waiting.
Honora rose and laid aside her knit
ting, and rs she walked past her jar
Of red holly berries, little of their
color seemed reflected on her usually
somewhat grim face.
From the depths of an old fashioned
trunk she carefully lifted a long, fiat
package. Tendery removing the
wrappings, She shook out the folds of
a timsy blue silk dress pattern.
Honoras toll hardened hand ca
ressed 1t lovingly. She had bought it
at bargain several years before. 1t
was the only extravaganza she had
ever been guilty of. and she had
boarded it rs she had the hope that
was to make radiant the years to
come.
Often. in the lonely time which.
thank Heaven, she had left behind
he had stolen to the trunk for a
glimpse Of her treasure. and she
shimmering blue silk had seemed a
connecting link between her and
brighter future.
us rather narrer," she observed
IAN III have to sorter k'mp little,
but amt been village seamstress all
these years fer nothin', an it'll make
n real lovely weddin dress"
She had barely time to restore the
silk to its proper folds. before there
was sound of approaching wheels.
and Silas, who had driven Lisette
from town in his ne-horSe wagon.
wondered why Iionora's greeting was
so confused.
lie lifted in the box containing all
Of Lisette's worldly goods, and lit.
tie while after they heard him whistle
chcerily to old Dobbln.
"lIow broad and strong he is.w said
Iisette, abruptly. II like tall men,
don't you, IIonora|
IIonora colored with pleasure Mt the
compliment paid her lover. She was
so proud of him.
She would like to have told Lisette
how he was as fond as he was brave
and strong. but poor Honora had been
compelled to shut up her love in her
heart for so long that she found it
difficult to parade 1t.
Lisette regarded her embarrassment
with establishment.
why, Honora. don't you like Silas?
Well. do. And think" she adds,