Columbia courier. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1902-1905, 1903-11-20

| you invited Aunt Constance and ME to
dinner and because your son is coming
| home"
"ies. child, yes said Mrs. Nisbett
subsiding once more into the mournful
Ney from which Lida's sudden appear
ance had momcntarily aroused her,
"Joel's got the turkey shut up in a coop,
and the bakin's done, and I'm Just a-lx-
in them apples. and"
| "Oh, OH" cried Ida, who had lut.
tered to the window, what glorious red
leaves speckled over with little drops of
gold! May l make some wreaths for the
wall? Oh, please say yes"
Mrs. Nisbett said ''yes"-it would have
been hard work to say mo" to Ida
and tile gill soon came in, her apron full
of the sprigs of the old maple tree,
whose shadowy boughs kept the window
yelled with cool shadows through the
glaring summer days and showered fad
ing gold upon the dead grass when the
autumn came
| Mrs. Nisbett looked with tenderness
upon the graceful little figure seated on
the hearth rug, when the shine of the
high heaped logs lost itself in her bright
hair and made sparkles in her eyes, as
the wreatlls and trails of autumn leaves
grew rapidly beneath her def fingers.
Ida" she said softly, "Lida, my
dear" Ida looked up.
IL saw your Aunt Constance yesterday
but there's somethin' reserved about her,
and l didn't like to ask about you
whether you had decided to 60 out as a
governess or not: because, my dear, Joel
and | were talkin' last night, and we
both thought what comfort it would be
to have you here"
"To have me here?"
"We're old and we're alone, and some
how we've both took fancy to you. my
child So when your Aunt Constance
goes back to the city, II you choose to
come here
Mrs. Nisbett paused abruptly and burst
into tears.
1--WE had a little girl once. my dear,
and If she'd lived she would ha' been
nigh about your age"
Ida let the leaves drop down on the
floor as she sprang up and threw both
arms round the old woman's neck.
"Oh, Mrs. Nisbett," she whispered
softly, "you are so very, very kind. Be
lieve me, appreciate it all, but-but-
l hardly know how to tell you"
Mr. Nisbett listened intently. Ida
smiled and cried little and then whis-
pered 80 low It was scarcely audible.
II am going to be married"
Married" calculated Mrs. Nisbett
with all woman's interest in this i'm.
portant piece of information. "And who
tot"
"Your son lives In Iowa@in Pairing
toni"
YES"
swell, did he ever mention the name
Of"
Ida paused, her cheeks glowing
roses. Old Nisbett had come in with ar
armful of wood, bringing a gale with hin
from the frosty outer world.
"I'll tell you by and BY" whispered
Ida as she went back to her work.
"Joerll 20 out again arter awhile,
thought Mrs. Nisbett, "and then I'll heal
about Lida's beau"
But Joel sat down before the fire will
complacent satisfaction which bodet
i'll for the qualification of his wife's curl
osity, and finally accompanied Ida home
thus frustrating all his wife'e design.
! and cutting off her chance Of hearing
Lidn's story.
"Dear mel" thought she. ~ don't be
lieve the man was ever born who know
ed when he wasn't wanted! How lone
some 1t seems when Lida's gone! VIVA
does the girl want to get married fol
when l could ha' took such a sight o
comfort with her? Oh, dear, dear! Il
does seem as if the world was al
askeMi"