The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1907-10-18

Tea To ntlp MIS-. W ehSter wash up ana
put away the dishes. She was very
fond Of her Aunt Lucy, as she called
her. though SHE was not her own aunt,
but cousin of her mother-a
slight, worn woman, who stood now at
the sink patiently, while Sylvia, her
slender waist girt about with a big
apron, went lightly to and fro across
the kitchen, and little Jane danced
and sang to herself by the window,
her dark head and scarlet dress vivid
in the fading light.
You ought TO have a cupboard in
the dining.room for these pretty cups.
Aunt Lucy" said Sylvia, stopping to
look at the piece Of old china in her
hand
Yes, said her aunt; 80 I've told
the squire. But he says we've always
kept EN- there. You know how t is
with your Uncle Lemuel. II he says
he will he will. and If he says he
won't he won't"
"Yes?" said Sylvia, reaectively.
She stood with her pretty head on
one side. forgetting to wipe the cup.
ITS Just that way about the pump"
Mrs Webster went on. In her thin.
gentle voice. There tits, up on top
o the hill, and the path steep and
stony and sllppry in winter, and not
one of the neighbors but what has got
a pump in the kitchen now. But the
squire says his folks always got along
with the well up there, and what was
good enough for them's good enough
for us, and don't believe anything in
the world would induce him to put a
pump In the house. faint that he
cares It's just that will OF his.
Once he's set his foot down, he won't
bulge
"Of course, the boys bring the water
sometimes; but LENS away so much,
and Luke, he's really too small.
There's little Jane" she went on pres.
emily. nodding toward the child.
"Shes got It. too Just like her ia.
ther, for all the world Sets no name
for it. Once she gets her mind on
thing you cant move her any more'n
you could the side o the house. Queer
how 1t runs in the family The squire
got 1t right from his father and now
he's handed It down to little Jane,
straights a die"
A few weeks later Sylvia, coming to
the house one afternoon with little
package carefully wrapped up In her
hand, was met AT the kitchen door by
Luke.
Good morning, Luke she said.
brightly where's your mother?
Hush! Don't say anything! It's her
birthday, you know. and I've brought
her"
She stopped. seeing that the boys
face was grave, his manner full of an
unwonted and hesitating solemnity.
What is it," she asked quickly.
Jane" said the boy. She's worse
lots worse. II guess she's goin
to die"
"Oh.-no!" cried Sylvia, why, she
was better--Lem said sol"
shes worse" he repeated stub
bornly, his boyish face working. Il
guess she's goin TO die"
sylvia" called Mrs Webster soft.
ly from the stairs. rs that you?
Wait-I'm coming down" Her thin
face was worn and white with anx.
iety. "She was better" she said,
dropping down at the foot of the
stairs. THE fcver'B left her, and the
pain--but now she's took 1t into her
head she won't take her medicine nor
her food Not thing can we get past
her lips-we darent force her-and
we've coaxed and argued, and the doc.
tor he's tried. and-it's no use.
i've just sent her father in," Mrs.
Webster went on. drearily. Il
thought maybe he might be able to do
something with her But don't know
Il don't know"
MAY | 20 up" asked Sylvia, She
did not wait to take off her shawl, but
ran lightly up the stairs. and slipped
into the room just before the squire
came in with his heavy, cautious tread
over the creaking floor.
Little Jane lay quietly on her pillow.
her small white face white as itself.
framed by HeT tangled DtdCk HdlT, Hti
dark eyes open, wide and watchful.
She did not move as her father bent
over her His rugged old face was
drawn and tremulous.
Instantly the pale lips we're com.
pressed in n set, unchildlike look OF
determination.
"I-cant!" she said, In low whis'
per.
Sylvia put her hand to ne, ewes
The parcel which she still held in her
lap rolled off and fell to the floor. As
she stopped to pick 1t up. something
occurred to her. Her eyes frightened
Jane. dear" she said. softly and
cheerily Look! have something
pretty to show you. DO you know
what day 1t is? No? Why, It is moth
ers birthday! You forgot, didn't
you? And mother was 30 busy taking
care OF you that she forgot, too
Wouldn't II be nice II we could give
her a surprise, Jane-you and and