The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1905-06-15

The April downpour was at its fiercest
when the knock came to the kitchen
door. 1t was timid knock-so timid
that Nan stood with knife suspended
over the pan of apples she was pairing,
thinking her magination might have
played her trick. 1t came again-low,
entreating.
The girl crossed to the door and
opened it,
Good land.'' she cried Come I'M
You poor little soul, whoever you are,
come in.'' And out of the binding rain
she caught the little black, shrinking
figure and whirled it into the warmth
and spicy scent of the big kitchen
She stood and looked at her unexpect-
ed visitor, her gaze a curious blending
of amaZement and compassion. Such q
frail. old figure of q woman. The plain
black cashmere gown, the thin shawl,
the close little bonnet, all were dripping
rain, from the stiff jet spirals orna-
poor skirt. And the face that looked
up at Nan, dumb and beseeching, was
childishly pathetic in it's wistfulness.
The woman held a worn bag clutched
in one hand
81, faltered the stranger deprecat-
ingly-''I got caught in the rain.''
Nan threw back her head and
laughed-a girlish laugh, crisp and in
fectious, and the shriveled eountenance
of the intruder relaxed into smile.
Pardon me-" cried Nan, controlling
herself; ''only it was SO evident you
had not been under shelter the last
hour that 1 couldn't help laughing.
Here, sit down in this rocker near the
stove.' She deity unpinned the soak
ing shawl and removed the pulpy bon
net. Dear, DEAR" she exclaimed,
you've no rubbers on! And your feet
are dripping! You're just q bundle of
wetnessl Whatever will / do with
you?
She spoke with the air Of solicitude
she might have used toward a child
Nan was only seventeen, but she had
many burdens on her shoulders, and
she bore them with courage A year
ago, when she had graduated from the
high school, the hope that she migl9tt
go to college was strong within he.
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 at 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
stalled in her place. And silently,
out with fierce inward rebellion, she
accepted her duties. But her father
had been man Of letters and a pro-
fessor in a university, and she had i'll
herited his love Of learning. So it was
with q heavy heart she saw the days
slipping by and with them the time she
would fain have given to the acquire
ment of further knowledge. Today
many hidden tasks still remained to
lorn creature on her hands.
I'm sure I'm sorry to be making
you trouble, my DEAR" piped up the
plaintive old voice. eff when after
I'm rested bit you'll be telling me my
direction I'll be 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 thisn' She
had gone for a stimulant and was
back, holding it pressed to the twitch-
ing mouth The old woman swallowed
the LIQUID and tried to rise.
'Sit stillr commanded Nan. you're
i'll! You mustn't stir"
Nan stood before her, tall and slen-
der in her blue cotton gown, with
big white apron belted in at her waist.
The pure pallor of her skin was ac-
cented by the blackness Of her brows
and lashes. Her gray eyes were wide
with perpleXity.
'Wait a minute" she ordered and
went flashing up the back stairs. She
reappeared with a load of garments
over her arm. You're such a mite of
a thing the clothes that I've outgrown
will fit you," she said "Your bag?
Here it is--safe behind you. Therev
She worked rapidly as she talked.
Nov you're dry and comfortable any
how, if you do look funny"
The old woman smiled up at her
gratefully. She did look funny in the
schoolgirl gown of red, but the color
had come into her cheeks, and her
chilled feet were growing warm in the
dry stockings and slippers.
Now I'll make you some tea and
toast" declared Nan, hanging the wet
clothes to dry. "And then must get
back to- Good gracious, my cake is