The Minneapolis journal., 1903-03-21
THE HAPPIEST TIME
No. l1-Not a Sad Story.
By MARY STEWART CUTTING.
Copyright, 1903, by Mary Stewart Cutting)


love with James sandersfield, now the
Of the hat factory in which
he had been a common hand" for many
years. Helen had felt deeply with her
husbands disgust. for Kathleen had been
immodestly obstinate; what the outcome
would be they did not know.
'.Ycu needn't so in there" said Mrs.
Rawls impressively, as one Of her friends
an hour later. mis- Arm
strong's asleep on the lounge. She's clean
beat out watchin'. I sent the coachman
back to the stable when he came for her
just now :.s5s .,
: 1T don't seem possible that little Sill
vy's gone," said the newcomer in an awe
stricken voice. II just come up the
street now, and I could hardly get here
for people stopping me to ask about it.
Old Squire Peters himself halted the
sleigh and sent Miss Isabel over to in
quire. She said if there was anything in
the world they could do to let them know,
and she was goin' home to fix up some
thing that might tempt Mis- Rhodes to
eat. And you know them two ladies in
black that moved into thea big house on
the hill last fall? One Of them came up
afterward and said:
You don't mean that that dear little
boy with the blue eyes and yellow hair,
who lived at the foot Of the hill, is dead!
And when I said yes, twas as true as
gospel, though the dear Lord alone knew
why 1t was so, she looked almost as If
she were crying, and said: oh, do you
think his mother would mind If sent her
some flowers from our greenhouse? I
don't know her at all, but we have had
sorrow ourselves; and the dear little boy
brought US some golden-rod just the day
we came here-it seemed like welcome
to u.s. .
What beats me- said another woman
who had joined the other two, 'Is why
the Lord should take Silvy-'the only son
of his mother, and she a widow'-cut off
that child before his time, and leave old
Gran'pa Slade dodderin' round, who is
near 80 and amt never been no good to
nobody all his days. It does seem that
the old might be taken before the young,
when they just cumber the ground, like
gran'pa"
mis- Kawls! Mis- Beebe! Hitty
Phelps!' cried another conner, breathless-
ly. DO somebody come over to Mis-
Slade's; gran'pa's In a. dreadful way, cry
in and moanin' about little Silvy's death.
He says he'd oughter have been took in
stead. and that he's no good to anybody.
'Melia's afraid he'll take his life.''
The three women gazed at each other
with scared expression as they rose tc
the summons.
II tell you what" said Mrs. Beebe
I'll send Josiah around with the cutter
to bring grandpa over to our house tc
spend the day and get a good dinner. All
he needs is cockerin' up; don't believe
he's had an outing in dear knows when
You coming with us, Mis- Rawls?"
'Ill just step around a piece to Emma
Taylor's," said Mrs. Rawls, getting down
her shawl from hook. II won't be gone
a minute. I'd clean forgot the baby was
sick''
She glanced at the sitting room, and
then closing the outer door noiselessly
behind her, hurried up the street with hel
friends.
Helen walked suddenly in the empty
quiet house. She could not, in a sort Of
sweet, drowsy contentment, understand al
| once wehre she was. She gradually real.
lied that big wooden clock on the man.
| tel licked with loud, aggressive noise
that teakettle was singing somewhere
and that large, faded red hood hung OF
the wall directly in her line of vision, will
many -flowered pink geranium on shell
| below. She was closing her eyes one,
more when a loud knock on the outer doc
startled her instantly into a sitting posi-
ton. The knock was followed by another
then the door opened and a footstep wa
heard inside. Helen jumped hastily VI
and went toward the kitchen.
A tall man stood there, drumming will
his fingers absently on the table. H
raised his head quickly as she entered
and she saw that he had a thin, clean
shaved face, with firm lips and dark
steady eyes. His dress was the dress o
a gentleman. Although Helen had neve
spoken to him, she knew that this wa
James Sandersf1eld
II beg your pardon" he said stiffly. &c
came for Mrs. RawlS, I was sent fo
Mrs. Rawls.''
'She must have gone out" said Mrs
Armstrong, "but am sure that she will
be back soon. The message
'Is from Mrs. Rhodes" said the strang
er, taking up his hat. MRS. Rhode
would like Mrs. Rawls to come over to he
when she can
'Is she-' Helen began.
'She is very quiet-very peaceful.
did not expect to see her this morning
but she had sent for me; she knew
He bit his lip, and stopped as If it wer
very hard to go on. II carried Silly,
down stairs; she said was so strong
was comfort to her to have me do it.
He stopped again and turned away hi
head. II loved the child" he added afte
a minute, very simcly. t@
II am glad you were with her; knoy
it was comfort" said Helen "And
am glad that was in to take your mes
sage, Mr.. Sandersfield," she added lit
tie coldly. II am Mrs. Armstrong;
Il know; I know he replied with
gesture that was almost rough in it
curtness, and turned resolutely away
Good morning." he said as he passed on
Of the door.
Mrs. Rawls was full of pleasure tina
, her visitor had slept so long. The sleig
was once more waiting for Helen. ,"Te
Mrs. Rhodes I will be with her later,
she said as she tucked herself comforta
bly, in, and lay back against the red vel
, vet cushions. -
"Ma'am," said voice In her ca:
"Ma'am, may I speak to ye?" She turne
startled, to find a large, gaunt. bearde
man standing beside her, with his bi,
9 hairy hand laid detainingly on the sleigl
His working clothes had all the cole
worn out of them.
, What is it?" asked Helen, drawn
, back.
r "As come up I seen white Grape an
I ribbons on the door below and r i,,s