The Somerset reporter., 1905-06-22

$3.50 .'"H otoou Will KILT suSIeuutu
over the pan Of apples she was pairing
thinking her Imagination might have
played her trick 1t came again-low
entreating.
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 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
frail. old figure of woman The plain
black cashmere gown. the thin shawl,
the close little bonnet, all were dripping
rain, from the stiff jet spiralS orna-
menting the bonnet to the hem of tire
poor skirt. And the face that looked
up at Nan, dumb and beseeehing, WAS
childishy pathetic in its usefulness.
The woman held worn bag cutched
in one hand.
- faltered the stranger depreeat
ingy-"I got caught in the RANT
Nan threw back her head and
laughed-a grlish laugh crisp and in
fectious, and the shrlyeled countenance
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 | couldn't help laughing.
Here, sit down in this rocker near the
stove" She deftly 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 u bundle of
wetness! Whatever will l do with
youEa
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 4 year
ago, when she had graduated from the
high school, the hope that she might
60 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 foolshness. 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
installed in her place And silently.
but with fierce inward rebellion, she
accepted her duties. But her father
had been man of letters and a pro
fessor in university. and she had in
herited his love of learning So it was
with heavy heart she saw the days
slipping by and with them the time she
would fam have given to the acquire
ment of further knowledge Today
many hidden tasks still remained 10
be accomplished. and here WIS this for
lorn creature on her hands.
I'm sure I'm sorry to be making
you trouble my dear" piped up the
paintiye old voice. If when after
I'm rested bit you'n be telling me my
direction iii be moving on
But suddenly She went ghasty white.
She caught her hand sharply to her
side. and her lips turned blue.
Here cried Nan. take this" She
had gone for stmulant and WIS
back, holding it pressed to the witch
ing mouth. The old woman swallowed
the liquid and tried to rise.
Sit still"' commanded Nan. You're
ill, You mustn't stir"
Nan stood before her tall and slen-
der in her blue cotton gown, with a
big white apron belted in at her waist
The pure pallor of her skin was ac.
ccnted by the blackness of her brows
and lashes. Her gray eyes We're wide
with perpleXity.
"Wait Il minute" she ordered and
went flashing up the back stairs. She
reappeared with load of garments
over her arm. You're such n mite of
a thing the clothes that I've Outgrown
will tit you" she said. Your bag?
Here it is-safe behind you. There"
She worked rapidly AS she talked.
Now 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
burning"
She was on her knees In minute
and had snatched the oven door wide
open. A smoking blackened mound
confronted her. And. as i'll luck would
have 1t, at that very moment Helena
Burnet, her cousin and mistress of the
house owing 10 the invalidsm of Mrs
Burnet, came sailing into the Kitchen.
whats this" She cried sharply. She
was in street attire. but had been well
protected from the storm. Your cake
ruined And that who is that person."
Her cheeks scarlet from embarrass-
ment and the heat of the oven, Nan
was hastily removing the cake.
shes an old lady who got caught In
the shower" the girl explained nerv-
ously. Ibid Aunt Ellen come, Hell
ena?"