The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-12-01
ARHER GlEEES LESSON
BY MoNNE MOORE LATHAM.


haps we'd batter secure Martha Bran
let before shes engaged by someone else"
Il declare. Hammer, 1 don't see how 1
can pay a gil. The hire of the men Will
be awful hgl. You've always managed
afore, and What's to hinder you now"
Hannah sighed a hopeless. sasping sigh.
Il guess can; I'm year older than at
last harvett time, and I'm not we'll
.-Oh wei. shut off little on the kriclt-
knacks Fhey don't get such as you fix
other piates. I want to pay for that piece
o land his year, and it'll take close
scrimpin' 10 90 it. Mebbe l can hire help
for you next year"
And Abners heavy boots creaked away
10 the iiarn. while Hannah dropped into
chair. and-"cried?" No; she had passed
: beyond the period where relief is found in
tearS.
Ever since she had come to that farm as
1.-The young, rosy-cheeked wife of Abner
g cen she had known little else but work.
The Lord had mercifulIy spared her the
care Of a family in addition TO her other
cares. One pale little blossom had lain
upon her breast a few brief hours. and
that was the only realization shs had Lad
OF happiness and the oniY vent that had
been given the tenderness OF her natufe
Abner knew he had a wife because she
mnistered to his wants, mis- mouse was al
ways in perfect order and 10 table in the
country boosted Of better cooking.
But as for giving her teHdar word. or
an afrectionate caress. l haven't the least
thought such a thing ever occurred TO
MIN. Abner Green HAD no room in his
heart for sentiment
Hannah remained seated only a few mo-
ments. STE diG not have any time TO
waste in grief Then she suddenly rose,
and. with a peculiar light in her eyes, set
briskly about putting the house to rights.
When al was in order, she went up
stairs tot their bedroom, shut the door
ard looted It, then seated herself TO an
nnwontta task-that of writing letter
Her stlfeEed fingers guided the pen slow
ly over the paper, till at last it was fin
ished The letter was folded carefully
then and placed in an envelope, upon the
back of which she wrote in wavering
characters. "Abner Green" though once
she had gained a prize at school as the
best writer in her class.
The letter disposed OF. Hannah arrayed
herself in her best clothes-a rusty black
plan gray shawl. and a small black straw
bonnet very nearly innocent of garniture.
A time-worn valise held change OF I'M
ierwear and one plain gingham dress.
Last Of all. a pair of black silk gloves,
from which the worn fingers had been
rarity cut away and the edges carefully
hemmed. We're drawn upon her hands.
thick black veil tied over her bonnet. and.
with small umbrella in ore hand and
her valise in the other she stood mo-
ment. taking a last look AT the moon,
then turned away and went down stairs.
with more spring in her step than had
been there for many day.
She carefully locked the outside door,
and put the key In its hiding place for
she had seen Abner Green drive out of
the barn-yard soon after she went up
stairs
Straight down the read toward the rail
road she walked, neat, trim little figure.
despite her rusty dress, and years of toll.
Having reached the track. she stood un-
der the shadow Of a tree. silently waiting.
Suddenlr a rumbling noise warned her of
the approach of the train. 1t had passed
through the village. and at the next sta
ton she was a stranger.
From beneath her shawl she drew one
of Abners bandanas and waved it aloft.
The engine slackened its speed ana stop
ped beside her.
Il was in a hurry to GO she faltered.
so hailed you here"
In moment she was aboard and when
the conductor came through, she paid the
fare to a distant point. Are you surprised?
Wei; u was a wonder where the money
cana from. for Abner had never given
her more than a dollar at one time and
that at long intervals. though out of his
wfe's hearing he boasted of the money he
had out on interest.
Mile after mile the train sped on; and
Hannah almost pinched herself to be
fully assured that she was really awake.
Through one whole day ard night the
Journey lasted. and wnen the terminus
was finally reached. Hannah walked into
n little new-looking depot in a western
village. and inquired the way to Miss
BlodSet's.
Miss Hannah Blodget's?' said the bus
ting little man who sold tic--ets.
Yes. sir
Right over there in That little drab
house. with the green shutters. Want
your baggage taken over?'
i have none bat this thank YOU and
I can carry that slightly lifting her Va
Use. that he might see it.
/ few moments later the front door of
the drah cottage opened in answer to her
knock. and small. white-hared old lady.
wearing a tiny black lace cap and big
Gold-rimmed spectacles. looked inquirlng-
ly at her strange visitor.
Won't YOU come in and rest? though
oon't want to buy anything today" with
q slight glance at Hannahs vaiise.
Hannah stepped quickly inside and
threw hack her veil.
''oh, Aunt Hannah. don't You know
me-
1t never can be Hannah Green said
the wn.-e-haired spinster.
1T is: ana | gust came right along the
next day after your letter came Abner
was away from home. when 4 reighbor
boy brought the letter-so he does not
know I cot it. The money was enough
20 pay my fare. though it vas wonder
It was not stolen. just put in letter.
We'll" said Aunt Hannah who had
all the time had her arms around her
niece. Row did Abner take your COM
inc?"
lie don't know came sobbed Han
nah hystericaHy Ii was So pleasant 20
feel loving arm around her neck once
more. III was harvest. You know. and !
knew he never would consent Besides.
If he knew ! had the money he'd have
wanted I, nay took il. 10 pay on the last
piece OF land he bought. So I just came
without telling him lie viii never come
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