The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1906-04-06
GETTING RID
OF HER
By DOROTHY DEANE
Copyright. 1906, BY Joseph B. Bowissl

Even if Daisy had not been a win
some little body, Granny would have
adored her, for was she not Johns
child? John was her first born, her
only son. A good son, too, John was.
But he grew ambitious after he mar
ried Lida-that was the way Granny
tried to explain it to herself. Ida was
an ambitious woman, driving and en-
ergetic. John thought Of his wife and
child, and wanted to get on in the
world. And the parlor needed piano.
None of these things troubled Daisy.
She did not know that the house was
too small for Granny, now that she had
grown feeble, and had lost her bit of
money. To the baby's notion, the
world held nothing BONNER than Gran
ny's cuddling arms, nor prettier than
the bits of curls that nodded at either
ear.
1t was one afternoon while Daisy
was asleep that Ida took her sewing
and went upstairs to Granny's room.
The unwonted attention set the old
lady in flutter, but Ida herself was
cool and calm, though she wished
Granny hadn't such disagreeable way
of staring straight into ones face
while she listened.
How would you like to go visiting
this winter, Granny" Ida asked,
presently, keeping her eyes on the
seam she was sewing.
ITO Mary's?" cried Granny, eagerly.
Ida frowned slightly. You know
we'll enough it amt to Mary's. She's
got her hands full, with seven chill
dren."
Yes" sighed Granny, 81 know; but
she'd be glad to have me come, Mary
would, if she was able. She never for
gets her mother"
Ida bit off fresh thread, with I'M
necessary energy. Some of my folks
over at Stratford would like first-rate
to have you come there and stay
awhile. 1t would be change for you"
Granny's face frightened. "Do they
really want me?"
Ida nodded. Her face was flushed
a little. John and l have been talk
next Monday"
But there's the\ baby" said Granny,
her eyes dimmed. 81 can hardly bear
to think of leaving Daisy"
Ida gave her sewing a jerk.
'fDaisy's been shut up here with you
too much. 1 want her outdoors more"
Granny wiped her eyes when she
thought Ida was not looking. cts
real kind of you, Lidy. / know you
think I'm ungrateful, after you and
John have planned it for me. But it
kind of took my breath away, coming
so sudden. You see it's 20 years since
| went visitin' anywhere.
"And suppose it will be hard for
me to feel at home anywhere except in
my little room. It's always been mine.
Father planned it for me when he built
the house. He had those drawers built
in for me, and the cupboards under
the windows, because l like cubby-
holes" She laughed softly, and
brushed off another tear that had
crept out on her withered cheek. She
had forgotten her listener, John was
born in this room, and Mary, and little
Susie-she only lived to be five. And
John was such cunning little fellow.
Sometimes it seems as if could see
him in his short dresses"
Ida flounced up suddenly. 'It's
time John was out of short dresses"
she cried; then she whipped out of the
room.
why, Lidy-wait-" gasped Granny.
81 amt said anything, have II" But
Jah 20 hod oil du clio he
stair door behind her, and Granny was
left alone with her slow tears and her
slow thoughts.
When John Williams came home that
night, his mothers place at the supper
table was vacant. He REDEEMED and
glanced across at his wife.
'She said she didn't want anything"
Ida explained.
You've told her! You didn't waste
any time"
You're glad enough that l have"
retorted his wife. 'It wasn't anything
of a pleasure
You needn't have been in such
hurry"
"She didn't suspect anything. l
uoi UCIiONC ohC II lllHu IL
John pushed away his plate and left
the table. She'll like it we'll enough
when she gets used to it," he said,
testify. ut amt such bad place,
over there at Stratford. It's just the
name of the thing. But you needn't
tell her beforehand"
and you needn't tell Daisy. She's
not to know that Granny is going"
When Monday came, and John drove
up to the door, Granny had been ready
and waiting for an hour.
John went into the kitchen where
= his wife was. He sat down INSTEAD
lily. Idly" he said, cit seems an
awful thing to do"
Ida gave him a scorching glance
but her voice was quiet. 81 thought
likely you'd back out at the last min
ute. You never did have much back
bone"
John lifted his head and looked at
his wife sullenly. mo-" he said Il
hope you'll remember that, whenever
you think of this day.
Granny turned to look back at the