Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1903-07-30

She begins to take down her long
black hair.
I'm SO sleepy" she yawns. land
I'm so tired of books and. oh! Honora,
I'm so glad to get back home"
When Silas came again Honora was
shyer than ever. At the age Of twenty
eight coyness takes the form of cold
ness, and honest Silas was piqued by
Honora's apparent Indifference.
1T ha' allus been this a way" he
declared, hotly. You allus did put
child'en aforc me, Honora. 1t wasn't
enough ter wait till they growed up
mus now wait for their approval.
'Taint fair, Honora, faint fair.
IF I.isette didn't have a min ter
take hold o. teachin' a class in the vii
lage right off, why" shifting his
hat clumsily from one hand to the
other w what's to hinder her from
comm to live along with me an you
at Curtis Cottage? She'll have home
o. her own afore long-she air too
purity to lack for lovers. Come, now,
uonora, woman. let's so see what Lis
cite says to It,"
But somehow Honora shrinks from
consulting Iisette.
"Spose she don't like it. Silas.
'Spose it makes her unhappy-an' she
jes' come home, too? Mebbe, Silas, if
you would go to her little later on,
an kinder lead up to it, you might fin
| out"
But Silas is Off
"Spose she don't like It? Do | like
t spend all nay days alone? 'Spose 1t
do make her unhappy-ain't l ben
wantin for happiness all my life?
faint fair" lie muttered to himself,
"tain't far.'
And so the GOODNESS grew.
Honora piled the needle more dill
gently than ever. and the grim lines
about her mouth deepened She
never saw Silas alone. Llsette would
hasten to meet him, and her prattle
would relieve the others from the
necessity of trying to make conversa
| tion
Sometimes, when Silas was leaving
Lisette would gaiy offer to walk with
him, an Honora, looking up from her
work, would watch the two figures
disappear behind the hlll-the strong
broad shouldered man, and the slip of
a girl at his side
| And SO it came about one day that
| Lisette returned from her walk with
| deeper bloom on her cheek, and all
| unusual seriousness In her bright eyes
I "Honora," she said abruptly, look
| ing up from the low stool at Honora 5
feet, why don't you get married:'
Honora started Then wonderful
| light crcpt into her eyes and softened
the stern lines about her mouth.
Lisette knew Slas had told her
and the thought made Honora almos,
as shy as the girl at her feet.
well, yo' see, Lisette," she began
| Il was beginnin' to be afearI that YOU
wouldn't take kindly to, the idea. so
| thought ia sort o wait an see if
Lisette Interrupted her gaily, IF
| you couldn't get me settled off tirst:"
She clapped her hands in childish
| glee.
"Oh, Honora." she cried radiantly.
you won't have to wait any longer
| for doesn't it turn out beautifully:
I'm to be married, too! And, Hon
ora" in sudden burst of confidence.
Il wonder if you love your lover like
| | do Silas!
"Ain't you pleased. Honora?" she
breaks off, catching sight of Honora's
face. "Honora, don't you go against
it. l ran right off to tell you before"
| blushing prettiy, "before l had time
to say yes.
you see" she went on. at hap
| pened this way. l was sayin' how |
| hated the thoughts of takn' class in
| the village, an Silas he asked me how
| I'd like to give up the idea of teachin
an go to live at Curtis Cottage. An
| then" she stopped. overcome by
| sudden fit Of shyness.
and then" Honora's voice was
harsh echo to the girls faltering
| tones.
You stan in the light Of my guard.
| ian. Uonora," Lisette answered, sui
lcnly. Il can't get married unless
| you're willin'-what was there for me
| to do but to come an ask you? An.
OH Honora you amt goin' against it
you'll say you're willn'. won't you
Nora. darlin':'
Honora's head was bent over her
knitting. She was trying to pick III
a dropped stitch, and she was think
ing of her mothers dying prayer to
her.
When she looked up her face wore
its usual grim expression. but her
voice was no longer hard.
IL promise" she said. as If in an.
swer to that other appeal. "I'll say
I'm willin', Llsette"
And so, when again the sun sank
low in the west. 1t was Honora who
went to meet Silas. There was flush
on his face and wild CLEAN in his
usually mild eyes.
"Honora.' he says. thickly. "yo'
wouldn't tell her yoself, yo' sent me
to her. an | went AM He stops
short and stands before her in doyred