The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1903-04-09
Copyright, 1902, by the S. S. Mcclure
c mpany

which grew almost at the Threshold
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
tioningly to his uncle.
"Aunt? Is she wellT
Jonas Alwyn showed momentary
confusion before the boys clear
glance. Then lie 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 distraction.
He proved to be so skillful Il 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 a trifle indis
tinct.
Jonas started. then pushed away his
coffee as though something had affect
ed his appetite.
"They're sight BETTER" he said 40
gloomily that Herbert laughed out
right.
IL didn't think you'd be sensitive on
the subject. uncle. When she comes.
III tell her what you said Have you
heard from her Iately?"
"Not to say lately"
"Mc,hrr thought she was here when
you wr"t"." Went on Herbert.
49, T. y. ;.>.l t,-,.1.
- "..I mean it," ae declared We
heme, H. mo; We don't mean 1t.
'causH &c 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 faltored. Il never
knew-mother doesn't know--that ""v-
thing had-gone wrong"
"Everything's gone wrcng," said his
uncle miserably. Suddenly he clutchod
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 in
Producing a duchess. lis Miranda Sweet
and this one" a wave to the left and
frowH, "is Miranda Sour
Herbert smothercd a desire to laugh
ooh. Named after my aunt
"Jest so! Them two arc S"c:,.in's
an l planted 'em the spring size went
away. It's mighty queer th"t the!
come true ter the names I give EN-:
AS ter her eoin'-that WIZ q misu der
standin' She's got prop'ty Of her own
about eZ much oz | own. an she's
Twin on it ten miles away. l amt
he chOked a little-"l amt seen her
sence that spring mornin' wheH she
an me had it out in the Kitchen. !
watched her bunnit so round the turn.
an'-an' l amt heard word Of her
'cept what the EeiGhGors let drop"
"Since she's only ten miles aNay."
said Herbert with all the straigl tfor
ward confidence of youth. Il should
20 to her and tell her it was just a
misunderstanding
THAT'S jest what can't do" re-
turned his uncle with cxtrc2:" moodi-
ness. Every time | start. an I've
started more'n onct. suthi2 pulls me
back. do b'lievc it's Miranda SoIr.''
miranda Sour
"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
th~ h,,n I'LL
then.
II named that tree Miranda Sour"
the old man went Oh 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 a sharp
blow with a stick.
II wish worm would gnaw you. I
wish a hurricane would blow you
down."
"No SIGH luck" said Jonas in tones
which expressed a certain mournful
pride, in his forecasting. 'sNo SIGH
luck, She'll keep on a-growin', an
Miranda an me will keep on gittin'
furder an furder apart" ..: &c.,
Herbert looked round fartively. then
sided up to his uncle -""4a |"L.
"Cut her down." he whispered, one
eysIon Miranda Sour to See II she oyer 4
hard.
setpt.s her DOWN.. exclaimed gapas
q BY. - s:iI