The new South-news., 1907-10-19

ny Mhcd hhe was rested and the
kitchen In It's wonted order. she
would make the particular Kind OF
wafilca grandpa liked for supper. and
feel comfortable fense OF having
thereby balanced III accounts
Well taken care Of tho old man
certainly looked as he sat BY the win
dow that day, and everything about
the substantial farmhouse bore proof
OF the same kind Of care. The room
was spotloasly clean. and every chair
In ita appointed place. ~Mathy's n
prime manager" he always said of
her: but som times he had n weary
feeling Of being managed too much.
lie watched Christy pass down tho
walk end turn in tho direction of
neck'a Maybe they were right, and
Debby never would send. T. cloud
had come over the summer day. and
the world looked strangely empty and
lonesome. Debby had been the one
girl among all his boys. and Il had
hurt more than tho fathers heart had
Acknowledged even to himself when
she married and left the old nest.
though tnat was before her mother
died.
Since thcn--woll they all thought
he would bc so well on with Johni"
| lie supposed h5 had bocn-"Only
Martby's so busy. an | s'pose old
folks is hard 70 put up with some
times' he murmurod. II was ufual-
ly an one 20 be "pu up with" that he
thought OF himself here. But at
Dcbbys-she had her mothers ways,
and there we're little children in her
home. too--a tiny girl named after
Mary. lie seemed TO feel the cling
ing OF the soft arms about his neck
aud new life with the touch. No, Il
could not be that Dcbby did not want
him; Martha did not know.
Chrlrty. at the corner OF the gar
den fence. looked back. saw the face
at the window. and walked moro
slowly What did he see. she won
derod. in those long hours OF gazing
down the roadg old fficndsg Old
days, when he was the contre instead
OF the outside of overythingi How
strange II must seem to be stranded
so while lifc's great busy stream
flowed byl She had never thought
OF IL before. but she could not shake
on tho thought now, and when the
matter OF tho currants had been set
tied, she broke away frcm Mrs. Beck 4
| ncighborly gossip. and walked home.
ward by way OF the village. That. at
least. could not hinder Aunt Martha.
'.--"'' uzwrry-U--S.----s---.~
mo pos,oiiice ~as but ono corner
OF the village store. and the post
master and merchant in one answered
her inquiries with the easy familiar
ity OF oil acquaintanceship.
Cant | show you some dress
goods, Miss Chrlstyg Lcttersy Not
any for your folks to-day. No; that
letter for the old gentleman hain't
got here yet. He's cxpcctin strong
as ever. rockong"
A laugh completed tho sentence.
and was echoed by the three or four
loungers who had dropped In for the
afternoons news. The subject seemed
indeed TO awaken unusual hilarity In
two occupants OF a seat on the gro.
Gerry counter; and one--a redfaced
youth. with bristling hair and n very
blonde Observation-Disclosures An ex
PLANTATION: Fact is. Bufham. the old
gentleman called for his mai
little bit ago. while you was out
He got n letter this time for sure"
There wasn't any for him." sale
Mr.. nufham In startled incredulity.
well. he got one all the same. ans
we didn't meddle with the Unite.
States mail. either" laughed tn,
Joker, with a significant wink. "W
spied him when he was way acros
the bridge. YOU see; and. OF course
: wa knew what he WAS after; so W
had time to get one ready. Jim an,
me. You ought &c have seen how h
grabbed IT. and went on spry as
/ cricket"
= Chrssty's flashing eyes and fam
: ing cheeks made MIR. Bufham's apprs
ciative laugh die suddenly in fai..
gurgle. and he turned upon the ma
s n glance OF mild rcproof THAT wa
Q goin' too fur. Jim--a letter too fui
y OF course. no ofronse wasn't mean
i Miss Christy. only bit OF Joke"
d But Chisty tarricd for no apol,
e giles. Poor grandpa She saw ho
Il Il all had heen--how the doubt avail
S cned by Aunt Martha's words ha
n made the silent waiting intolcrahl
A. and he had slipped OUT to tako Il
s long walk. SO hard for him no,
n alone. She could well believe tn
It he had snatohed the pronered lett,
A. eagerly, IL would seem like life
him. Aud to think II was only g.,
N, mockery at best How could II a
!, pear only funny TO those mel
~ How dared they call such thing
\, Joke, .ier heart was hot with indi
r nation and pity as she hurried dow
n the street. anxious only TO overtal
4, the tired. totterine feet which som
/, where along the way were precedil
8, her.
$, He had passed out OF the villag
aa and the bridge which spanned ,
!. shallow river showed no trace OF hi
10 Christy scanned the winding road
the hillside beyond. surely he cou
NOT hava paSs.A ON, ~ Ss~h: :