The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1905-03-24
LIBBY THE UNLOVED.

Libby Anderson hung the dish cloth
on its accustomed nail, and stood there
surveying it. 1t was plain, from the
way she looked, that she had deter
mined to speak
Ma" she asked of the woman who
was sitting before the little round
stove, what were those papers Dave
put in his pocket as l came in?"
Some things he was shown me-
MA" she asked, quiveringly, you
didn't sign anything, did your
II didn't sign your name to any
thing" And the needles clashed
again.
She knew her mother too well to
press further.
Il don't just understand Dave coming
here this time of year" she ventured;
land | thought he acted queer"
The old woman was folding her knit
ting.
I'm going to bed. and you'd better
come along, too" was her reply.
A week went by and although Libby
had twice forgotten to feed the chick
ems, and had several times let the ket-
tie burn dry, she was beginning to feel
more settled in her mind.
She did up the work one morning
and went to town.
Her first call was at the solicitor,
and here she heard the worst. Ma had
assigned their home to Dave. She did
not make any FUSS she was too old
fashioned for Mysteries.
1t was not until the old place came
in sight that she broke down.
Its not fair" she cried out, when
I've stayed here and worked-it's not
fair!" And, for the first time in many
years, she was passionately
crying.
1t was feeling of outraged justice
that made her speak, for she was just
a woman-the daughter of pa.
MA" she said, do you think pa
would like to think of your assigning
the place to Dave, when I've stayed
here and kept it up the best | could
for twenty years?"
LA, now Libby" she said, not I'M
kindly, don't take on. You'll never
want for nuthin'"
Il think you don't realize what you
have DONE she said; and turned to
the bedroom to take off her things.
1t was not until the next month, the
clustering month of March, that all
was made clear. IT was early in the
afternoon when Libby looked from the
window and saw man coming in at
the gate.
THAT friend of Dawes from the city
is coming, ma" she said.
Gracious" exclaimed Mrs. Ander-
son, land such day as t isl"
The stranger warmed his hands and
disbursed number of pleasantries.
"Well, Mrs. Anderson" he said
finally, your son wants me to make
little proposition to you"
Mrs Anderson looked pleasantly ex-
pectant
Dawes always maxim propositions"
she chuckled
Hes been a good deal worried about
you this winter-afraid you were not
just comfortable out here-you two, all
alone"
Dawes always thinkin' of his moth
er's comfort" she asserted; and looked
triumphantly over to Libby.
well" he resumed, turning back
to the older woman, sit worries Dave
to think of your being out here alone
now that you're getting along in years,
SO mes rented nice little place in
town and he feels sure it would be
better all around if you'd just go in
and take it."
IF that amt for all the world like
Dave!-always some new idea in his
head. But you just tell him, Mr.. Muir
ray, not to be bothering. We don't
want to move to town-do we Libby?"
mot if we can help it," she re-
piled.
Dawes been away from the place
SO long that he don't see just how t
u.s." ma explained. Libby and me would
not feel at home no place else.'
Its too bad you feel that way" he
went on persuasiyely, 'for Dave was
SO sure you'd like the idea that he's
gone ahead and made all arrangements,
and I'm afraid there might be little
trouble about unmaking them
He turned to Libby.
How soon do you think you could
move? BY the first of May?"
81 suppose So" she answered in a
dull voice.
April came, and for the fiftieth time