The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1908-02-25


nrst OF May. It was their fourth |
move in three years, very unusual |
record for a family of any pretentions
TO responsibility in the staid little |
town. And the Danforth name had
been one of the most aristocratic
there for many years.
First we lived in our own dear old
home, where / 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 Zebe-
dee and the mortgage took that. in
spite OF all our pinching and planning
all the years ! was growing up, we
mad that nice house on River street.
Inc next year we had to 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 downward smile at the
young man. who knew very well that
she forgaye the house it's many faults
for the sake of having found her 70.
nance within its walls. But there's
nothing but the lowness of rent in
FAVOR OF the house we're going to- she
ended. It's cramped and shabby and
inconvenient in every way. When l
think how far below the old home
we've got in only three years, Il
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
house one of these springs-or soon
er," began Dick Stedman, reaching up
to take one of his sweetheart's small
brown hands, that were pretty in spite
Of all the work they had had to do.
But Frances pulled it impatiently
away.
you couldn't afford to marry my
whole family, Dick, even if we'd let
you, and they can't possibly spare me
as maid-of-all-woyk and general mana
ger as long as the money comes in SO
slowly and the children grow out Of
their clothes so fast Therel don't lei
us waste any more time tonight talk
ing of disagreeables or of what cam
be-"
IF your great-aunt only hadn't made
such a cruelty unjust WILL" Dick be
gan again; and again Miss Danfortf
cut him short.
IF wishes were horses, then beg
gars would ride" she noted, absurdly
My grand-aunt did make her own will
to suit herself, as l probably shall i
ever l am a wealthy old spinster ant
able to afford dislikes; and what Il
the use of ifs? Once more / sugges
that you start some pleasanter topi
this last of our evenings on this pleas
ant old porch"
Apparently he obeyed for thei
talk grew lowertoned, and her prett.
dark head and his comely, fair on
drew quite unnecessarily close to eacl
ether as il went on. When he left
which was early, in consideration o
her busy tomorrow, there was tn
. brightest of smiles on Miss Danforth'
face as she went into the parlor.
But the smile faded as she locke
round the familiar room. The ira
of the mover was already upon i
, The tacks were out of the carpet, an
the bookcase was emptied and its col
tents piled in a corner.
The handsome furniture-much to
handsome and aristocratic in its STATE
w old-fashion for the cramped littl
room with its cheap. glazing, gilt pa
per and worn carpet-bore traces
rough usage.
The furniture had been the sole LEI
acy left Mr.. Danforth by the will
his Aunt Deborah, an eccentric oil
lady who had practically adopted hi
as a boy, brought him up in idlenes
to expect her money, and turned NIL
) out without a penny when he decline
! to marry to please her and did MARI
to please himself
When at length Miss Deborah die
Il was found that she had left a
her valuable antique furniture to he
nephew. as the last of the Danforth
coupled with the provision that
should forfeit it if he ever attempte
: 10 sell a single piece, and had b
oueathed her very considerable TO
time TO a distant and already wellt
do cousin, Zebedee Smith by name
Mr.. Danforth had philosophical
accented the situation and the turr
ture, selling off the commoner thins
he already had to settle some bill
of long-standing with the proceed
and crowding his small rooms VIII
the richest of carved oak and maho
any. most of which was presently ST.
further decorated by the jack-kniY'
and boot-heels of his irrepressio
boys.
The NEXT day was one of storm ar