Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1907-01-30


A ing voice at the postOfice win
dow. Alexander Watson, the
postmaster, peered over his steel
gfmmsd spectacIes at the little, with
sRea old lady outside the grating, and
Beplied as usual, mo, not to-day"
With a sigh Miss Jane Pease walk
q quietly out into the dusty country
read Every day for years she had
come TO ask the same question, and
every day she had received the self
Bans answer. To the neighbors' knowl-
eSgs, no one had written to her since
sha was a young girl. They would
have known it if anyone had, for Polk
vile Is no exception to other country
Gowns when it comes to knowing ev-
szyone elges business.
Miss Jane was what people called
Aalons IN the world" She never had
any brothers or sisters; her father
and mother were both dead, ard she
had no near relatives living. At her
fathers death, all that remained of
Als once comfortable income was few
thousand dollars in the bank, and by
rigid economy she had made this suf-
ice to support herself and the old
white horse of the family. In a snug
little cottage house oyerhung by state
% eimS, with a small veranda facing
The south where hOneysuckle shed its
sweet perfume in summer and the snow
Ill 4-l =, r-f,1 fn Of
ss0lation. None of the neighbors ever
called. Miss Jane was too stuck up"
ehey said-too cold and reserved. This
was because she did not choose to join
N the village gossip with the Others
Cor no spinster on earth possessed a
warmer, more affectionate nature than
hers
On this particular morning the bit
Ger loneliness of her life seemed to
strike her more forcibly than ever be
fore Perhaps, it was because every
thing looked so bright and happy-the
Birds, the trees. the flowers by the
roadside just bursting into bloom. A
squirrel ran across her path Us she
wendell her way Up the hill. perched
On q rail fence by the wayside and
shattered knowingly for minute; then,
Whlsked away Into the woods beyond.
She was startled from her reverie by
Miss Priscilla Hunters voice.
"Any mail2' she called from the
shadow Of her vine-clad veranda.
Miss Jane felt the sarcasm in the
tons, and It cut her deeply. Tears of
anger and reproach sprang to her faded
gray eyes, but she chOked back her
wrath. She was too proud to show her
Irritation. She tried to answer cheer
fully, mo, not this morning." then she
added quickly, But I'm expecting a
RsteF tomorrow"
"Hcps you won't be disappointed,
came again from the veranda.
81 don't expect to be be-" was the
arm reply. as Miss Jane passed on.
The idea which had been growing
sn her mind all the way up the hill had
taken form at last. Ny, but wouldn't
She ne.ghbors be curious? She quick
sned her pace. 1t seemed as if she
could not walk fast enough to reach
home 20 put her plan into execution.
A red spot burned in either cheek. She
turned the key hurriedIy in the latch
and went into the house. In another
moment she was at her desk in the
Back parlor, her bonnet and shawl dis
earded, pen in hand, writing, writing
. H.. e, Eny,1n5n1
When she finished, it was nearly II
o'clock. The fruits of her labor. four
large white envelopes with bullying con-
tents, sealed, stamped and addressed
IN a eranpled hand Ito make her writ
eng look unfamiliar) to Miss Jane
PeRse, Polkville. lay before her. The
most troublesome part of her labor
ehe posting yet to be accomplish
ed The poStmaster's inquisitive eyes
would follow her every movement, and
abe scorned the Idea OF being twitted
Df writing to herself. Polkville must
not know. These precious letters must
be posted elsewhere. As quick as a
cash 0verton came into her mind.
There were mail boxes in that town.
She could drop her letters into a box
and 20 one would be the wiser. The
only drawback was that Overton was
aImost twelve miles away.
n know what I'll do" she said sud
denly to herself. II won't stop to get
dinner, I'll take a little lunch and drive
over there. If I start now, I'll get
back At dusk"
She packed a light lunch, and then
ran out to the stable to harness old
Dolly TO the wagon. 1t was on the
stroke OF II when she started out Of