Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1906-01-24
) SACRIFICE
OF
!. Unloved Libby.

sSsss$sessssssssss9s&sss$s
Libby Anderson hung the dishcloth
on its accustomed nail, and stood
there surveying 1t. 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 int"
Some things he was shown me-"
MA" she asked quiveringly, .you
didn't sign anything. did you?"
Il didn't sign your name to any
yhing.' And the needles clashed
again.
She knew her mother too well to
& press fur her.
Il just couldn't understand Dave
coming here this time of year." she
ventured; "and l thought he acted
queer" RlYNaI
knitting.
I'm 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 tegin-
ming to feel mere settled in her mind.
She did up the work one morning
and went to town.
Her first cali 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.
It was not until the old place came
in sight that she broke down.
It's not fair she crlea UT, when
I've stayed here sEd worked-it's not
fair!" 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
Tor twenty years?"
The old woman put down her knit.
ting.
La, now. Libby" she said, not UNI
kindly don't take on. You'll never
want for nothin!"
Libby stood there looking at her.
Il think you don't realize what
you've DONE" she said; and turned
to the bedroom to take of 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 a 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.
well, Mrs. Anderson" he said,
finally. your son wants me to make
q little proposition to you.
Mrs. Anderson looked pleasantly ex-
pectant.
Dawes always maxim PROPOSE
Mons." she chucAed.
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.
WELL" he resumed, turning his
back to the older woman. ut 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 1t
would be better all around If you'd
Just 80 in and take it."
II 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
70 move in town-do we Libby?"
mot II we can help It," she re-
Piled.
Dawes been away from the place
30 long that he don't see how 'tis,"
Ma explained. Libby and me
wouldn't feel at home no place else"
ITS too bad you feel that way"
he went on persuaslveiy, "for Dave
was 30 sure you'd like the idea that
he's gone ahead and made all arrange
ments, and I'm afraid there might be
q. little trouble about unmaltng
them"
He turned to Libby.
How soon do you think you could
move? By the first Of May?"
II suppose So" she answered in a
dull voice.
April came, and for the fftieth
time the old woman watched the white
give way to the green on the hills
that curved in and out around her
Old home.
As long as she could, Libby let her
have her dream. Her heart was not
hard toward Ma now. Ma had not
understood. And Libby was glad she
could have those few springs days
before she was torn from the old
homo.