The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1907-07-31

the only one in the whole place hat
knew of it till she'd been gone quite
while. Hop right in," she con-
tinued, affably, tossing the bundles
cumbering the seat into the straw
on the floor of the pung, "and I'll
take you down home.
Going to ask her to tea, were
you?" she questioned, as she guided
the horse down the slippery incline,
Now isn't that just like you, Mrs.
Graham! Most folks want her Just
10 help out, or something, she's so
handy. l shouldn't wonder If you
and l are about the only folks in
town that haven't had her in the
house to work"
The pink spots on Mrs. Graham's
cheeks turned dull red as they
neared the house. I'm not going to
ask you in, Mrs, Walker" she said.
a bit shakily, as she climbed out of
the pung. We're upset this fore
noon, getting ready for tomorrow
and ALL"
We'll. If you aren't the kindest
I person, Mrs. Graham" said the 9th
er, with wondering envy, "to think
/ OF asking Mrs. Blum, who everybody
knows isn't much to talk to, to tea,
when you look tired to death, and
about ready to drop. l declare" she
added, looking searchingly into the
face Of her victim, 81 don't knows I
noticed you were looking so tired
when we started! I'll come to-mor-
row night" she announced, cheer
fully. Il declare, it makes me fell
real. young again." She Slapped the
reins on the back of the big sorrel
and went on her way.
Did you get her, mother?" asked
the girl, anXiously, taking off the
bonnet and smoothing the tumbled
| hair.
We'll, if you haven't gone and
fixed the sitting-room up real nice,
4 Lucella!" said her mother, in pleased
surprise, as she looked into the
changed best room.
/ PA did it," said the girl. Hes
been indoors all morning, helping
round. He did all the lifting"
did he ask what l went for?"
questioned her mother, quickly.
No. He looked troubled, and
said you were working too hard"
We'll, I'm thankful he didn't
ask" breathed Mrs. Graham, fer
vently. Your pas overworked, Lu-
celia, and I've had no time to help
him. What with that ood-for-noth-
ing mans leaving last week, and the
gray mares breaking her leg, he's
got all he can carry, let alone two
hysterical women"
She turned to go upstairs, fol-
lowed by Lucella's questioning gaze
mo. l didn't get her." she said.
The next morning Lucella, putting
the freshly washed vases on the man
telpiece, heard her fathers heavy
step in the hall.
Where's your mother?" he asked.
Shes upstairs, pa" answered
Lucella, not turning.
You're not feeling sick, are you?"
he asked, watching the flushed
cheeks anXiously. 'Twouldn't do to
get sick now, with all the pretty
things in the bureau drawer to fix
up"
TITS mot that, pa" she began,
haltingly, then stopped, ashamed be-
fore the loving patience in the deep
set eyes. She threw her arms i'm
pulsively about his neck. Don't you
worry about me, daddy"
There, there!" he said. I'm none
tco clean, with these barn clothes
and all. That you, mother?" he
called, going to the foot of the stairs.
What's the matter, pa? Any
thing wrong in the barn? I'll run
right out and help" she answered,
cheerfully, as she came down. you
stay where you are, Lucella!" size
called from the kitchen door.
Hiram shut the door. Now, Mp
ria," he said, quietly, as he led hsr
to his own particular chair, you SIT
right down here; l want to talg.
What's the matter with Lucella?"
why, there's nothing the matt,
with her; only little tired, maybe.
She'll be all right tomorrow. She's
worked up over so much company"
She's not had any falling out with
Tom, has she?"
Land sakes, MOI"
There's nothing she wants, is
there, that she ought to have?"
"She has everything she ought to
have"
Hiram looked out of the window
for time. Suddenly he turned to
his wife. tits not on account of
the lace thing you were fixing for
the front door, is it?" he asked,
abruptly. Seems to me 1 haven't
seen it round lately"
Maria gasped. We'll. if that isn't
| the shrewdest everi" she calculated,
wonderingly. MY goodness, Hiram.
| don't know as l can tell how you
ever guessed the TRUTH We agreed
! to keep it to ourselves, Lucella and