The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1907-12-31

record for q family Of amy pretehlVns
To responsibility tn the staid little
town. And the Danforth name had
been one Of the most aristocratie
there for many years
First We lived in our own dear old
home, where I was born Frances had
enumerated the evening before, sit
ting on the porch in the soft April
moonlight, with her lover on the steps
below her. Then when Cousin 1ebe'
dee and the mortgage took that, ~
spite Of all our pinching and planning
all the years / was growing up, we
had that nice house on River street
The next year we had 70 give that up |
as too expensive and move to this /
place. that might say something
against, but won't, because-well, be-
cause won't Dick, she lucidly ex
planned with a downward smile al me
young man, who knew very we'll that
she forgave the house its many faults
for the sake Of having found her ro-
nance within its walls. But there
nothing but the lowness Of rent IN
favor Of the house we're going to- she
ended. TITS cramped and shabby and
inconvenient in every way. When !
think how far below the old h me
we've got in only three years, ri
really fear we shall find ourselves
moving to the poor farm one Of these
springs"
She tried to laugh, but she finished
with sudden catch in her bright
voice. She was more than discour-
aged with the family prospects, and
tired out with all the preparatory
packing and tearing up she had done
that day. Only strong determination
kept her from tears.
! IF you would only move TO my
I, house one Of these springs-or soon
4 er," began Dick stedman, reaching III
/, 10 take one Of his sweetheart's small
! brown hands, that were pretty in spite
\ OF all the work they had had 70 DO.
But Frances pulled it inpatient!
q away.
q "You couldn't AFFORD to marry M
j whole family, Dick, even II we'd le
you, and they can't possibly spare ~
!. az maid-of-all-work and general mana
ger as long as the money comes in 8
q. slowly and the children grow out
a their clothes SO fast Therel don't K
us waste any more time tonight tall
" ing Of disagreeables or Of what can
VI be-"
ke IF your great-aunt only hadn't mad
er such cruelty unjust will" Dick b
gan again: and again Miss Danforf
cut him short.
IF wishes were horses, then be
- gars would ride" she noted. absurd
ar MY gFand-aunt did make her own W
~ to suit herself, as ] probably shall
ever am wealthy old spinster a.
~ able to afford dislikes; and what
~ the use Of ifs? Once more sugge
that you start some pleasanter tot
40, this last Of our evenings on this ple'
uld ant old porch"
We Apparently he obeyed; for tn
,rb talk grew lower-toned, and her pre-
Inv dark head and his comely, fair 9
md drew quite unnecessarily close to ca
an other as it went on. When he 4
~ which was early, in consideration
rec. her busy tomorrow, there was
cor. brightest of smiles on Miss Danfort
face as she went into the parlor.
stry But the smile faded as she lool
the round the familiar room. The I
With Of the mover was already upon
ons. The tacks were out Of the carpet,
3 of the bookcase was emptied and its {
call tents piled IN corner
acre The handsome furniture-much
g to handsome and aristocratic in its st
tead " old-fashion for the cramped Il
res room with its cheap. glaring, gilt
ern? per and worn carpet-bore traces
rough usage.
The furniture had been the sole
acy left Mr. Danforth by the vii
TO a his Aunt Deborah, an eccentric
the lady who had practically adopted
very as boy, brought him up in idle
de. to expect her money, and turned
ivid- out without a penny when he deci
Isted to marry to please her and did m
one to please himself
When at length Miss Deborah
dis It was found that she had lefi
her valuable antique furniture to
mer- nephew, as the last Of the Danfo
iding coupled with the provision that
sick should forfeit it II he ever atten
quit to sell a single piece, and haG
ques- uueathed her very considerable
tune to a distant and already VI
poor do cousin, Zebedee Smith by MAJ
mer- Mr.. Danforth had philoscph
the accepted the situation and the
aking ture, selling on the commoner t
he already had to settle some
OF long-standlng With the prot
lna. and crowding his small rooms
Ione,g the richest Of carved oak and n
I cost any. most Of which was present.,
further decorated by the iack.l
,oking and boot-heels Of his irrepre
}. The boys.
arious The next day was one Of storl
vo fer - x.mo~.cnr nw xasAnrr