The Weiser semi-weekly signal. (Weiser, Washington Co., Idaho) 1904-1911, 1905-06-28

fashioned box were defiled on either
side of the winding brick walk. The
great frame house was in dire need OF
paint, and the once green window
blinds were nearly brown
"The little bird should have some one
to look after her." he said and stalked
away.
Hattie crept upstairs as quietly as
| possible. There was no light in her
room except the uncertain flicker OF
the fire. She struck a match and went
directly to the mirror. 1t was an old
time glass set in a narrow gilt frame
| fitted into the space between the win
dows. With the fast going fame she
looked earnestly at herself, then, smil.
ing happily, bent forward and kissed the
reflected image. In moment the light
was gone out
Mamma, l hope you slept WELL"
Hattie said in cheerful tones next
morning, after she had tiptoed into the
room and satisfied herself that her
mother was awake.
Mrs. Pennington looked extremely
comfortable in her high posted bed
stead, protected overhead by a canopy
upholstered in blue. The pillows were
large, with wide, full ruffies, and her
head, every hair of which was black
and smooth, rested high upon them, CIV
ing her the appearance of almost a
half sitting position. Across herf feet over
the snowy marseilles Counterpart, was
spread silk quilt made of accurately
pieced hexagons put together with tri-
angular bits of velvet.
Mrs. Pennington seemed glad of her
daughters coming.
My rest was much disturbed. nv
dear. I feel exhausted and fear 1 have
taken cold"
Then do not get up. The day is
cloudy, and the house very damp"
Mrs. Pennington coughed slightly and
settled herself back on the pillows.
while Hattie pressed the blankets more
closely about her shoulders. 1t had sud-
denly grown very dark. and now great
raindrops pelted the window panes.
Il have been lying awake a long
time, child"-Mrs. Pennington's voice
was muf1ed, speaking from out the bed |
covering-"and have been troubled
about many things" She sighed weari- |
ly None of your dear fathers friends |
have understood me, Hattie. They |
wanted me to I'LL my house with board |
ers, to have strangers, possibly pre-
Stunning people, constantly about me;
they insisted that you should 20 out
and mix with the world, but 1 have
thought differently. Darling, 1 have
meant everything for the BEST
Yes, dear mamma, you have done
everything for the BEST Their hands
found each other in a warm, tender
clasp. Then, with her head on her
mothers breast, Hattie spoke of Henry
Wayland.
TIE elder woman's face grew stern
as her daughters words became plain
to her.
DO you mean to tell me that Won
have permitted this young man to
make love to you on a casual meet.
mgr she exclaimed, pushing Hattie
from her and sitting erect. "That he
took occasion to make a proposal of
marriage while escorting you from a
neighbours house?"
Il see nothing the matter with the
OCCASION" Hattie said.
"And who is this person''-Mrs. Pen
nington threw her hair back from her
and assumed a stately air
who presumes to aspire to the hand
Of Hubert Pennington's daughter,
Mamma, you know Henry Way
land"
Very slightly-in no sense well /,
enough to warrant him"-she paused
in his present course. AS recall him
ne Is bluff, ofThand. There is some
thing intensely commercial about him. '
tie laughs loud, too, my daughter. l :
remember he once occasioned me a Sc
we're headache by his violent laughter
n the parlor. My nerves were posi-
lively unequal to his continued cachi.
nation"
AS Hattie vouchsafed no reply. Mrs.
bennington continued with even more
energy: THE Waylands are not much d
)iood-in trade every one of them r
AVOID the subject of pedigree with r
denry II you would be pleasant" Mrs
remington rose on one elbow and
placed the hand that was free beneath
Ter daughters chin. 81 hope Won will a
lot consider this proposal of Henry il
NaylaDd, Hattie. The thought of a
UGH marriage is obnoxious to me. e
Ills people were never in our set r.
hid, your grandmother would disown .,
'ou." II
AS SOON as possible the girl left her :
nother's room.
Mis- Harut is mighty sick, honey"
Iunt Emily said. bending over Hattie
hat night. IFS sent Ceezer fur de
octor."
Hattie threw on her dressing gown
no rushed into her mothers room.
DID You telephoneT she asked.
NO chile; we wuzn't gwyne ter
rust Ter dat Dey mOught git hIt
ron, ceezer went hisse'f,"
me doctor, an old friend Of TO- Fem.
Al a. nd