Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1904-06-25
-[HESBPO. .

ways talk when | don't want to hear
you. and keep still when you ought to
have something TO say"
I'm seeing things"
Sit there and look at them, then;
I'm going to bed" was his angry reply.
In the right he was awakened by the
regular tap-tap of a hammer.
What in all possessed is she doing p
he asked himself.
lie listened Il few moments, then cot
Up. dressed and went to the spare room.
His wife was on her knees, lacking a
lag carpet upon the floor.
What are you doing? We had to get
along without butter and eggs, and YOU
sknnped US on everything you could. u
get that store carpet and lace curtains,
and new furniture. And row you're put
ting the old things back"
His wife did not answer. perhaps be-
cause her mouth was full of taeks; when
the last one was in place she rose to her
feet, saying:
Now help me set up the bed"
The old wooden bedstead with feur
posts capped by round polished balls was
put up. the cord woven in and straw
tick and fat feather bed placed upon il.
I'm get breakfast while you do the
chores; the boy will want to 90 early"
DO YOU want" But she had gone
into the pantry.
When breakfast was over, Frank said:
If You think I've done enough to pay
for what I've had I'll 60; I'm in hurry
to see grandmother"
'1'm-l'm-t is. / thought I'd 90
over that way this morning; YOU can ride
oVcr-it'S ten miles or more
He looked at his wife. but it was one
of the times when She ought to speak
and would not, so he and Frank went to
the barn to harness the horse.
When they were ready to 60 Frank
went into the house. Good bye, Mrs. -"
She did not tell him her name Thank
YOU for your kindness; I'll tell grand
mother how good you've been
Before they were out of sight of the
| house she was at work in the spare ROOM
She put blue and white Counterpart
upon the bed, and tackled a valance
around it, Old-fashioned copperplate
curtains replaced the lace ones; an old
spindle backed rocker and other old fur
| nitwc We're brought in, and she stepped
back and surveyed the room.
There! Everything is just as she
left it,"
Then she went into the kitchen. sat
down by the window. and waited Her
hands, unaccustomed to idleness, We're
nervou>ly locked together. When the
wagon came in sight she rose. trembling.
She's there; so is Frank she whispered.
They stopped by the gate at the foot
of the path. Frank sprang out and
/ looked toward the house Mrs Skinner
drew back and covered her face.
1 can't meet her" she groaned
Frank helped an old lady out of the
! wagon and led her up the walk; She was
81 SMALL Hnd her back so bent, that her
/ head scarcely came above him. As She
reached Il bush of southern wood she
/ stopped To pick sprig. Il remember
/ Just as we'll the day planted that bush
twas Susan's second birthday Far.
! Their on she picked Il leaf of Sweet Mary
and crushed il to make it give out its
aromatic perfume. Your father liked
! Sweet Mary leaves"
Very gently and carefully Frank helped
/ her up the steps and into the house.
/ Mrs. skinner took step toward her. and
/ her lips framed the word Mother" but
( not a sound came from them The three
/ stood in embarrassed silence until Frank
said;
/ Il uclc Rufus ,oys | may stay here
ard work for craudmother ii vou are
willing | didn't know your uame last
night. or wouldn't have spoken so: I
am Sorry'-he hesitated lutlc then.
~iyly. Aunt Susan."
/ She stopped and awkwarily kissed his