Middletown transcript., 1904-11-19

nestled closer into the pillows
in the old wooden rocker, whicll hao
been drawn up to the tiny front ~indoW'
where she could watch the passerby. IL
diverted her mind from the clumsy
wooden crutches beside her, which she
had regarded with shrinking aversion
ever since she came from the hospital
They seemed to proclaim aloud the TACT
that henceforth she was to be only a
helpless cripple.
The fire was getting low, but Ethan
would be along presently. He always
sbut mn the store at six o'clock, and IL
was half-past five now. A flock oi rust
ling dry leaves fiuttered down the path
from under the maple by the gate, ana
she watched them with a vague sense
of loss. They were vivid green wheh
she was taken to the hospital. since
then they had changed to yellow anu
drifted in golden showers to the '''''e
grass plat. Now they were dull orowh'
and struck her with sense OF untldlhess
as they scurried hither and thither be-
fore the November wind. Ethan had
no time to rake them up besides, sile
had ALWAYS done such little jobs as TINS
herself He had probably never even
thought Of it.
She moved uneasily in her chair and
peered farther down the street. a sud
den brightness lighted up her face at
sight of the stopped gray-haired man just
coming into sight. :,
He looked in at the window and smiled
while vet his stiff fingers fumbled at 'he
gate-latch.
He's always glad toget home, Ethan
is, though he knows he'll have to get
his own supper and tidy up afterwards
Most men would be all out OF sorts with
taking care of me and all, but Ethan
ain't!" Polly often spoke her thoughts
aloud-they we're company for her.
He came in, briskly rubbing his hands.
"It's little bit wintry tonight.
wouldn't wonder if we had snow tor
Thanksgiving" be said, going up to the
little stove. "Why, the fire is all out.
Have you been cold, Polly?" There
was real concern in his voice.
''Not to speak Of Ethan. ! couldn't
among all these pillows. How is bust
ness?" Polly always asked this question
Sometime Ethan answered her readily
sometimes he evaded it. Tonight he
was stirring the fire, and his face was
in the shadow, but his voice sounded
cheerful. '1t's perkin' up some, | think,
Polly" he said.
"Does the Barkers and the Sowerses
trade there yet? You know they had
just commenced when got hurt p
The old man shook his head. mo
I can't remember as they have bought
anything of me lately, but I've got some
new customers.
Polly looked disappointed. Il was
in hopes We could manage to keep them
thev are such solid folks. A body ain''
never afraid of their asking to have any
thing charged"
81 get cash nowadays, Polly-I ain'i
kept no book account for quite spell,
he told her.
''You don't say, Ethan. ! did't sup
pose you could ever pluck up courage
enough to say no when body asked
for credit you've always been SO lenieni
with folks. Is'pose you've had to steer
pretty close to the wind since I've been
sick. 1t has been an awful expense,
Ethan. Pve wondered time and again
how you've stood it SO we'll. Seems to
me you're just as clipper as ever. Though.
'I amt no cause to complain, Polly,
when see you looking SO well. 1t was
more than I'd dared to hope for, part OF
the time"
! An old-red glow warmed Polly's sal low
cheek and shone in her dim eyes. They
were lovers yet, despite their sixty years,
"It amt likely Til ever he able to go
back into the store, Ethan, but maybe
can hobble about after a spell and tend
to the house little.'
81 sha'n't need ye in the store, Polly.
/ can get along all right alone down
there" he said hastily.
She looked at him curiously. Ethan
had always depended on her Judgment
in the store.
He looked up deprecatingly. sit amt
that don't want you with me, Polly" "
he hastened to assure her. "Pm getting
used to doing it alone. and there amt
no need Of you trying to work in two
places at once. Take your time about
getting well only just set there by the
window where l can see you when |
come up the walk of nights. 1t sort
of rests me to gee you"
"I'm likely to do considerable setting,
I'm afraid, Ethan" she said.
He looked up anxiously. 'If you
could only make up your mind to try
'em, Polly-the crutches. They'll hold
you. I made IN of the best hickory,
and there amt brash spot OH EN-"
81 know you did, Ethan. You took
a master lot of pains and trouble with
'em, but"
II know it'll be pretty hard on you
at first, but you'll get used to it and
you'll gain faster"
She looked up at him piteously. "It
would be different if / only had to use
'em for a spell-if I'd ever be able to
90 without them, but 1 won't, Ethan.
You know I won't. Seems as if I'd
rather set here by the winder forever"
she said hopelessly.
The sorrow on his face touched her
heart.
"Don't take it 90 hard, Ethan. I'll
try 'em, l surely will. After all, ought
to be glad can try 'em. Supposing it
had been my back, like that Sanders
boy. He's got to lie there as long as
he lives-day in and day out. / am