Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1906-04-13
MISS GRANTS
EYE.
Observation-Disclosures


IL -
N0 ISIS SARAH GRANT stood at
INVUl the window of her little dining
ooS room looking out at tie tiny yard
that separated her cottage from the
street. 1t was the last day of March,
but the air was full of the magnetic in
luence of spring. The grass was fresh
ening while in the bed of brown earth
at the right of the walk hardy daffodils,
~jonquils and one adventurous hyacinth
nodded to the passers-by.
Miss Grant sighed a little impatiently
as she turned from the window. Her
neatly spread tea table stood waiting.
There were a solitary cup, saucer and
plate, each of rare old china. The sill
yer was massive, of the fashion OF a
half century ago. There were slices OF
snowy homemade bread, all cut OF ex-
actly the same thickness, a pot of gold
en- butter, a chicken salad, milk, a glass
of amber jelly, and sugared ~doughnuts.
1t looked tempting. But the cloud did
not lift from Miss Grants face as she
brought the steaming teapot from the
kitchen and seated herself for her even
ing meal. She bowed in silence for a mo
ment. Then, adjusting her napkin care
fully over her neat black cashmere, she
said to herself:
"And Tomorrow April FOOLS day,
too! As if there wasn't enough to bother
without that! For the fact of its being
Sunday won't make any difference with
those unruly boys. Well. if they attempt
TO play any tricks upon me they'll suffer.
that's ALL"
Had tho r,N,S Iorio0 S1NphJr in (fnn-
Vile beheld the scowl upon Miss Sarah's
face he would have hesitated long before
attempting to ''fool' her. She creamed
her tea and slowly buttered a slice of
bread.
II haven't the heart to eat" she ex-
claimed a moment later. ITO think that
a Grant should have his home sold on a
mortgage. I'm glad our father didn't
live to know it."
Miss Sarah lar devoted the earlier
part OF the afternoon &c making calls. 1t
was at Mrs. Atherton's that some one
had spoken of John Grant, Miss Sarah's
only brother. There was an awkward
pause, Their dear old Grandma Atherton
said, gently.
Sarah, you will pardon your moth
er's friend IL she tells o something.
Johns home is to be sold on the mort
gage in three weeks. Did YOU know it?'
NO" was Miss Grants uncompromis-
ing reply.
at is too bad" grandma went ON,
after a moment. HE mortgaged it to
get money to take his wife to New York
for medical aid. 1t did her no good, poor
thing. Well, Tine are hard and a man
with an invalid wife and six small chill
dren inds it almost impossible to live on
a clerks salary"
There was no softening of Miss Sar-
abs face. After a few minutes she stiff
fly bowed herself out. Grandma Ather-
ton watched her pass down the street, a
troubled expression on the usually placid
old face.
Pm so sorry," she said, shaking her
silvered head. Sarah could so we'll af-
ford to help John. She has been grow
ing richer all these years while he has
been growing poorer"
This was the subject Miss Saroh was
revolving in her mind as she sat at the
tea table. 1t was twenty years since the
death OF her parents. The family wealth
had been equally divided between John
and herself. Her share, invested in her
present home and judicious loans, had
doubled. John had gone into business,
lost heavily through a dishonest partner,
signed a note with a supposed friend,
and paid it, then been glad to accept a
situation as clerk. Five years ago he had
asked his sister to advance money on his
pretty home. Sarah had refused CURLY
and scolded him for mourning needless
expense. ., . -.E
1T may do no good" he admitted, but
T cannot let Amy suffer as she does with
out one more effort for her relief"
Il don't believe there is much the mat
ter with Amy" the sister declared.
Somehow the pink and white prettiness
of Amy Grant had always exasperated
Miss Sarah. "If she'd exert herself more
and
But John rose hastily. I'VE will not
discuss that. 1t is time I was at the
store" and he walked proudly away.
Years had widened the breach. Mrs.
Grant was still an invalid. The six chill
dren were all overlooking with spirits,
rosy-cheeked and happy. Sadie, the old
est, at fifteen played at being h~ousekeep-
or and nurse. The house was always
bright and clean, but it was too noisy
and disorderly to suit f~astidious Miss
Sarah. Sadie, too, was another griev-
ance. She was a dimpled-faced girl with
her fathers clear gray eyes and proud
poise of the head.
"A regular Grant" Miss Sarah said to
herself. 'I'd take her and do well by her.
But l won't soon forget Madam Amy's
almost Indignation at my proposal. Give
away one Of my children? o, l couldn't
think of such a thing she said. Then
there is her ridiculous anne. She was
christened Sarah Catherine, but it's too
plain and old-fashioned, 80 she's Sadie
now"
The shadow of the evening had gathered
while Miss Grant sat over her untasted
supper. She pushed her plate away and
was about to rise when a gentle rap
sounded on the door. Without waiting
10 light a lamp she opened the door, and
peered out in the fast falling darkness.
No one was there. Her foot struck
against something lying on the doorsill.
It was a long, narrow package, apparent
" a box. A great wave Of anger rolled
over the spinster's heart.
"UoT dare those boys try fool tricks
ON me I" she uttered. IF / had 'em