The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1907-02-07

MADE THE WORK LAST As LONG As ros
sIBLE
wife. She had more tact than he and
would know just what to do.
This mental throwing Of the respon-
sibility from his own shoulders brought
back his natural cheerfulness aud
buoyancy. and he smilingly motionet
for the girl to climb into his wagon.
Ever ride after mule beforeg' he
asked as he left the animals head and
climbed up on the seat beside her.
mo" Then her face grew wistful.
do you suppose father and the boys
are at home todayT
Il low they won't be there Jest right
now" he said eyaslvely. You see,
they didn't know you was comm, SO
they happen to be of for spell. But
you mustn't let 1t put you out any"
with more animation. "I'll take you
home, an my wife'll fix you up mighty
comftable till they git back"
THANK you. But why can't l 20
right to the house and wait for them :
II would be such surprise"
"No, no" he objected, with sudden
entreaty. "By no manner O. means
Bachelor llvin' amt apt to keep r
house fixed up, an jest now 'tain't In
place for you. know that You must
do Jest like say an come to my house
for spell"
"Well. II you think best" She was
silent for some time, watching the un-
familiar plants along the roadside and
the curious, bright colored chameleons
that flashed from the warm sand In
front of the mule and disappeared
with marvellous rapldity among the
palmettos.
Gurus, amt theyY' said williams
as he followed her glance. Jest like a
bit O. rainbow strung on llghtnln'. But
they're 'mazin' fine things for pets.
Your brother Freddy used to have one
that would scoot out frop spme 1liser .ss
Great hand, Freddy, for pets"
At the mention of Freddy she lost
interest In the plants and chameleons
and turned to him with tender. trem.
uo9us smile on her lips.
ut Will he 80 pleasant to have ones
own folks to live with" she said softly
"They were all nice to me at the
school, but none of them belonged to
me- 1t will be almost llke-like heaven
to live In the same house with father
and the boys"
Williams reached out and struck his
mule viciously, but she did not notice
81 suppose everybody round here
likes father, he Is such good man."
she went on In tone that was an as
sertion rather than question.
"He kept you to school pretty
steady" returned her companion. Il
knew he had gal up north, but had
an ldee she was stayin' 'mong her kin"
Father has done everything for me
everything" said the girl, with ten
der light In her big gray eyes. He
was not rich, for he once wrote that ]
might have to wait few days for my
years tuition, rs money was hard to
get. But It came the very next day.
and he always sent me plenty for
books and dresses and everything
wanted He wrote for me never to
stint myself on anything and that after
4 tnI n N
come home, but TO keep on with my
music and drawing and other studies
and when ! had learned all could al
the school he was going to send me to
Europe to learn more Dear. dear IN.
ther! / hope l may be able to make II
up to him some time"
Williams gave quick sidelong glance
at the earnest face and then gazed
steadfastly at the road ahead. He had
known Booty John for eight years and
could not remember single redeem.
Ing feature about the man. He was
Srratic, shiftless and utterly irresponsi.
BILE. His life was one long spree that
reeled between absolute drunkenness
and serI-jtwoxicntion. But he was
good lawyet and fine scholar and even
In his partial stupor was able 70 pick
up good deal Of money about the
courts and IN other ways. People sup
posed that all this money went to the
dramshops. and the u,pposition maS
them regard the man with extreme dis
gust, for his house was mere hoyel
and his boys wholly neglected and un-
cared for.
When they reached the vine covered
cottage In front OF his orange grove he
carried In the trunk and yalise and
presently called his wife aside and
pade whispered explanation. Then
be went to the barn 10 unharness his
mule. But he made much longer
Job OF It than was necessary. and when
IL was finished he leaned upon his fence
and gazed with unobscrvant eyes at
his fields OF sweet potatoes and pine
apples and bananas. His wife came n
him there.
"Did you tell herr he asked.
"Yes," In low voice. He noticed
that her lips trembled.
Take II hardT'
shes high strung. Jim. an that
Kind o folks mostly take things hard
but they don't make show. She
wouldn't b'lIeye me ut first, an when
she did she turned white an stared at
noihin' tili IL jest bust on, cryin
myself Seemed Ike ] never felt 10
sorry for anybody In all my iife."
The two stood there nearly half an
hour. then the girl left the house and
passed down the road ON the opposite
side Of the fence.
she's goin' over 10 look At ber house
now" said Mrs Williams In a low
voice Il told her twan't ~ 10 1--we In.
. but she said they'd lived In u an she