Mower County transcript., 1904-10-05

say, for his reply had not reassured
her. z'7...-, .fe, -stt5 - -. !.
h. " "Why do you think anything is wrong
with ne?'' he suddenly asked. 'Has
anybody" !
"You cayn't keep folks mouths shet,''
Mrs. Buckley said. ''You've got more
friends AN any boy in all this noun
tain country, but even body's best
friends will git jealous when he begins
to rise in the world. Most Of 'em
thought you was fyin' too high, George,
all along-in visitin' the best in Dar-
ley-an' they are tickled to be able to
circulate the report that she's goin' to
marry the governor Of the state. You
see they kin say that am not seem to
be talkin' agin you, but they are
chucklin' all the same.''
II can't help their talking nor their
thinking" Buckley said, with a sigh.
'But I believe I'd put bold face
on it an laugh at the idea O. marryin'
anybody right now. Then I'd sorter
slack off from goin' to the Cranstons'.
George, kin stand anything better, it
seems to me, than havin' 'em all think
you are miserable over it, an when the
wedding takes place.
'"Then you count on it as certainty,
do you?" His face clouded over, and,
In spite Of his self control, his voice
rang harshly.
She stared at him pityingly. 1'Thar's
no use talkin' about it, she said soft
ly. George, you hain't ready to ad-
nit it, an that's the Wust sign Of all.
You jest cayn't see it like other folks,
an thar's jest one reason fer that
you cayn't stand to think it possible"
He voiced no denial. What was the
use? The old woman, crude as she
was, had known him from the first pull
sation of the life that was now raging
like a mad torrent within him. In his
minds eye be had a glimpse of the vii
lage church, packed to the doors with
an eager, expectant crowd. He saw
the flowers on the altar There was
profound hush. The Cranston carriage
had driven up. The governor of the
state was assisting two ladies to alight.
All eyes were on the party Of four as
they came in and moved unconcernedly
to the Cranston pew. Lydia and the
guest Of honor were walking together.
She was being admired, envied.
George Buckley bowed his head; the
red light from the fire touched his
powerful neck and shoulders; he was
sinking into the deepest ooze Of de-
spair.
Mind you, I'm not sayin' one word
agin the gal," Mrs. Buckley broke into
his reflections abruptly. I'm fact,
like 'er. I can't tell you how much
do like 'et. Folks may swear they
hate kings am queens beca'se they
stand above 'em, but they'll feel hon
ored by the notice O. royal folks. That
may be one reason I like Lydia Gran
ston. I don't know, I'm only human,
but jest feel like she's of different
order. Do you know the time you in
troduced me to 'er? Well. a woman
knows q woman, no matter how differ
ent they've been raised, an 1 seed that
she was surprised toto see that was
well, jest like I am, but I TUX a
strong hkin' to 'er fer the way she
acted"
"The way she acted?' George Buck
ley spoke under his breath, but the wo-
man heard.
"Yes; could tell she was doin' 'er
level best to make me feel easy, an it
made me like 'er. Then the next
time"-
sarho nov+ +;,,o1, Coorro x,o. ,>oo1Y.~
surprised. did you meet her againT'
Mrs. Buckley was silent; her eyes had
fallen. She had said more than she
intended.
did you say you met her again,
mother-again?"
Mrs. Buckley looked up resolutely. II
never intended to mention that" she
said, IAN don't know as ort to now,
bein', as it seems, she never told you
abouc it. But it was when she was
over at Shirley Springs last week. One
mornin' she come here to see me, an,
George, as God is my judge, never
spent happier hour in all my life. I
don't know how it was, but she jest
had a way o. maxim me feel good. Eff
she ever thought she was better'n
common folks, nobody could "a told it.
I was piecin' scrap quilt, an she
set down an set to work on it. never
seed the like. Her little, slim, white
fingers jest moved like lightnin'. An
talk! She could think O. more cheer
full things to say than anybody ever
seed. It was that way till nigh II,
an then she left. George-she kissed
mev' % -
Buckley was staring, an unfathom
able expression in his big, yearning
eyes. .. - 49, =
'She kissed you, mother? God bless
herv' And he. rose and put his arms
about the old woman's neck. His eyes
were glistening. 4
Eyes, she did twice, out at the gate.
never intended to tell you about that,
fer II didn't think it was exactly the
sort O. thing toto make you take yore
mind of'n 'er, but she did it, an to
my dyin' day I'll always think we'll Of
'er an stand up fer 'er. They may