Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1905-04-19

"why, yes! It's Easter, to-day ever.
where's" answered Title wisely.
When Title decided that the eggs had
roasted sufficiently, she took two fla,
sticks and rolled them out of the no,
ashes. Then. finding large, fiat lime.
stone rock to serve ms table, she placed
the salt in little white heap In the
center and arranged the roast eggs
around 1t. Bonnie looked on in speech
less admiration.
They were just ready to sit down to
their little feast, when n voice from
across the creek called out:
why. Till Lewis, wot yer dom over
thar"
oh! It's Mary Jane Iivesey." said
Iille with a quick breath of relief. Then
deciding to be hospitable on the present
occasion. no matter what the conse-
qnences were, she called back:
Bonnie an mes jest havin' n little
Easter by ourselves. Come over, Mary
Jane. and stay to dinner. won't yer?'
| You little witch" cried Mary Jane.
crossing to their side, and looking at
the dark roguish eyes and tangle of elf
ish curls under the queer little brown
hat. "Wot yer up to? Eggs. roasted
| Why. Till Lewis. don't yer know it's
Sunday, an plumb wicked to be out hyer
toastin' of eggs on SundayW
| Tillie for the moment was too con-
science smitten by Mary James rebuke-
full speech to frame an answer in self
defense. which Bonnie seemed to under
stand, for he said:
Its Easter, Mary Jane Livesey, an
they stuffs eggs evcr'wheres. Don't yer
| know that?"
Whether it was Bennie's pointed argu-
| ment, or the aroma from the roasted
eggs on the limestone table which fell
very temptingly on Mary James nerves
OF smell. is very uncertain. However.
when Tillie and Bonnie each took up an
egg and began removing the shell. it re-
quired no coaxing to induce Mary Jane
to lay aside her flowers and follow SUIT.
'"These eggs is mighty fne." remarked
the visitor. helping herself to the salt.
Amt they, thought" agreed Bonnie.
Il wish every day was Easter for, oh
a whole week.
'Whar was you goin'. Mary Jane?"
asked Tillie her mouth full of egg yolk.
TO Windyville," replied Miss Livesey,
who was the daughter of ranchman in
that vicinity, and looked up to MS per-
sonage of considerable Importance by
the young folks who lived near her.
"Thar's to be Easter sarmon Mt the
church over thar this mornin', and Nory
Randalrs to be thar. an I'm goin' home
with her fur dinner. You an Bonnie
come an go over to Windyville with.
me-" she persuaded. wishing to make
some return for their hospitality.
"Oh. let's go. Till!' cried Bonnie.
well. l don't care. never was to
church over to Windyville, 'cept when
my mas funeral sarmon was preached"
answered Tillie, her face growing very
sober.
IAN that's been as much MS FIVE years
ago. amt itY asked Mary Jane sympa-
thetically.
Eyes. an amt never been to my
mas grave but twice since they put her
in the buryin' groun' over to Windyvile.
Mis- GRIPPE lows as 1t be plumb foolish
fur people to CAD back an forth to
the graves o. dead folks" said Tillie.
her eyes full of unshed tears.
well. then, you'll go with Nor" in
quired Mary Jane
Eyes. Bonnie an nell co.
ha'ihs hnisheu the eggs, the little
party started up Wolf creek toward the
town. On the way Mary Jane gener-
ously gave Tillie the larger part of her
wild flowers.
When they arrived at the church.
which stood on the outskirts of the town
with a graveyard surrounding it, the
Easter service had begun.
Mary Jane led her oddly dressed COM
pany up the aisle, and seated them mid
way to the pulpit. Many eyes were
turned curiously upon the little stran-
gers, who trembled with childish emo
ton at finding themselves in such u
crowd of fine persons.
Though the remainder of the service
was short. Tillie was made very uncom-
Portable by the almost constant staring