The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1906-01-12
SACRIFICE
Unloved Libby.
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LIBBY Anderson hung the dishclotn
on its accustomed nail, and stood
there surveying l.. 1t was plain, from
the way she looked that she had de-
termined to speak.
Ma" she asked OF the woman who
was sitting before the little round
stove, what was those papers Dave
put In his pocket as came ln?"
Some things he was snowin' me- =
MA" she asked quiveringly, you
didn't syn anything, did you?"
Il didn't sign your name to any
ching. And the needles clashed
again.
She knew her mother too well t.
press fur her.
4 just couldn't understand Dave
coming here this time of year" she
ventured; land l thought he acted
queer"
The old woman was folding ner
knitting.
Pm going to BED and you'd better
come along too,'' was her reply.
A week went by, and although Lib
by had twice forgotten to feed the
chickens and had several times let
the kettle burn dry, she was Begin
ming to feel more settled in her mind.
She did up the work one morning
and went to town.
Her first call was at the solicitors,
and there she heard the worst. Ma
had assigned her 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 apd worked-it's not
fart" And, for the first time in many
years she was crying, passionately
crying.
It was feeling of outraged justice
that made her speak, for she was just
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 1T up the best could
for twenty years?"
The old woman put down her knit.
ting.
La, now, Libby" she said, not un-
kindly, don't take on. You'll never
want for nothin'!"
Libby stood there looking at her.
fu1x
you've done," she said; and turned
to the bedroom to take off her things.
It was not until the next month,
the clustering month of March, that
all was made clear. 1t was early in
the afternoon when Libby looked from
the window and saw man coming
In at the big gate.
THAT friend of Dawes from the
city is coming, ma" she said
"Gracious!" exclaimed Mrs. Ander-
son. and such day as 'tis!"
The stranger warmed his hands,
and disbursed number of pleasant
ries.
We'll, Mrs. Anderson" he said,
finally, your son wants me to make
little proposition to you
Mrs. Anderson looked pleasantly ex-
pectant
Dawes always maxim PROPOSE
tions." she chuckled
He's been good deal worried
about you this winter-afraid you
were not just comfortable out here
you two all alone"
Dawes always thinkin' of his
mothers comfort" she assented, and
looked triumphantly over to Libby.
We'll" he resumed, turning his
back to the older woman, 1T worries
Dave to think of your being out here
alone now that you're getting along
In years, so he's rented a nice little
place in town, and he feels sure it
would be better all around if you'd
just so in and take it,"
If that amt for all the world like
Dave!-always some new idea in his
head. But you tell him, Mr.. Murray,
not to be bothering. We don't want
to move IN 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 how it's"
Ma explained. Libby and me
wouldn't feel at home no place else"
Its too bad you feel that way"
he went on persuasively. for Dave
was so sure you'd like the idea that
hes gone ahead and made all arrange
ments, and I'm afraid there might be
a Little trouble about unmaking
them"