Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1905-06-29
AN ANGEL
UNAVARES
Py KATE N. CLEARY
CopsrisA., lml, b, Kate NJ. Cleary


when tie kaocl came 10 tic kitchen
door. II WIS t.in!d knock--so timid
tliat Nmn 5000 with luifc suspended
over tie pan OF apples she was pairing.
tla.Eiug her imagination might have
played her a trick Ii came again-low
cntrea,ing.
The girl crossed to the door and
opened it.
Good land," she cried Come in.
You poor little soul, whoever you are,
come in,'' And ont of the binding rain
she caught the little black. shrinking
figure and whirlcd IL into the warmth
and spicy scent OF the big kitchen
she stood and looked at her unexpect-
ed visitor. hcr gaze IA curious blending
Of Amusement ana compassion. Such a
frail, old figure Of Il woman The plain
black cashmere gown, the thin shawl,
the close little bonnet, all were dripping
rain, from The stiff jct spirals orna-
menting the bonnet 40 the hem Of the
poor skirt. And the face that looked
up at Nan, dumb and beseeching, was
childishly pathetic ia It's wistfulness
The woman held worn bag clutchel
in one hand.
Il faltcred the stranger deprecat-
ingly--'I got caught in the rain."
Nan threw back her head and
laughcda glrlish laugh, crisp ana in
fectious, and the shriveled countcnance
OF the intruder relaxed into n smile
Pardon me-" cried Nan, controlling
herself; only it was so evident you
had not been under shelter the last
hour that couldn't help laughing
Here, sit down in this rocker near the
stove" She deftly unpinncd the soak
ing shawl and removed the PUPPY bon
net. Dear, dear" she exclaimed,
''3ou've no rubbers on, And your feet
are dripping! You're jus, bundle of
wetncss! Whatever will | do with
yout"
She spoke with the air of solicitude
she might have used toward child
Nan was only seventeen, but she had
Gany burdens on her shoulders. and
she bore them with courage. \ year
ago, when she had graduated from the
high school, the hope that she might
go to college was strong within her.
But her aunt and cousin had condemn
ed her desire and derided her ambi-
ton There was no money To spare
for such fooliShness. There was work
to be done nj home.
The latter fact the girl was given
no opportunity to doubt The maid OF
all work had been dismissed the week
Of her graduation, and Nan had been
Installed in her place And silently
but with fierce inward rebellion, she
accepted her duties. But her father
had been Z man of letters ana pro
fessor in Il university. and she had in
herlted his love of learning SO it was
with a heavy heart she saw the days
slipping by and with them the time she
would faln have given TO the acquire
ment Of further knowledge Today
many hiddcu tasks still remained to
be accomplished, ana here was this for
lorn creature on her hands,
I'm sure I'm sorry TO be maxim.
you trouble, my dear" ppcd UP the
plaintvc old voice. IF when after
I'm rested Il bit you'll be telling me my
direction I'll he moving on"
But suddenly she went CHASTITY white
She caught her hand sharply TO her
side, and her lips turned blue
Here" cried Nan, take this" She
had gone for stnnulant and was
back. holding 1t pressed TO the witch
Ing mouth. The old woman swallowed
the liquid and tried to rise.
"Sit stll! commanded Nan. You're
i'll, You mustn't stir!'
Nan stood before her. tall and sleu
der in her blue cotton gown, With Il
big white apron beltcd in at her waist
The pure p0llor of her skin was ac-
cented by the blnckucss of her brows
and lashes. Her gray eyes were wide
with pcrplexity.
"Wis minute" she ordered and
went flashing up the back stairs. She
reappcared with load of garments
over her arm. You're such Il mite Of
thing the clothes that I've outr~own
will lit YOU" she said Your bag?
Here it is--safc behind you. There"
She worked rapidly rs she talked.
"Now you're dry and comfortable any
how, If YOU DO look funny
The old woman smiled up ut her
gratefully She did look funny in the
schoolgirl gown Of red. but the color
had come into her checks, and her
chilled feet were growing warm in the
dry stockings and shippers
"Naw IN make you some tea and
toast" declared Nam hanging ,he wet
clo hes to dry, And then must ges
barE to- Good gracious, MY cake is
burning"
Shr was on h,e knees IN minute
and hal sngtchc0 the oven door wide
cpcn' 4 smoking, blgtlcnad mount
e.t.ntcl hc@ Ana as m lack would
ha,r il. at that very momeut Helena
iiuru,t her cousin ANA mistress OF ,he
hca>, owing O. the iuyaljdi-m OF Ms
iu1rt. came sailing into the kitchen
What's tlNs" She cried sharply, She
was In street attire, hut had been vol
protected from the storm. Your cdhc
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