The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1908-08-29
The ROuSiHg
of Ann
BY Anna A. doeenleaf
Copyright, by shortstory Pub. Coz

stored 10 ltS cnhTacJerlSuc pllmneSS
and neatness, Ann and Abbie drew
their chairs close to the little table
and rested their worm wrinkled hands,
idle for the first time during the even.
ing hour, upon the spotless linen
cloth.
Both women we're small and spare,
but here the likeness ended AIMS
eyes were blue and faded, while Alb.
bis were black and sharp, and her de.
termined, energetic manner contrasted
strongly with her younger sisters hes.
tating, timid ways.
They looked long at each other, but
neither spoke Each well knew the
thoughts the other strove to hide, and
each saw the homesickness the other
was trying bravely to overcome.
The stiffness was unbroken, save
by the ticking of the old wooden clock
on the mantel, its pendulum swinging
contentedly to and fro, wholly uncon-
scious that It was soon to become the
innocent cause of apprehension to its
aged mistresses
This was the last night they would
spend in the old home for many
months for they had accepted their
nephew's kind invitation to spend the
winter with him in the village. His
residence overlooked the valley where
stood the little old black house which
was the only home the maiden sisters
ever knew.
No good fortune like this mad ever
before come into their uneventful
lives, and they were grateful for the
invitation, for the little cottage in the
valley was old and leaky, and the win.
ter winds blew through the cracks and
| crevices with relentless cruelty.
Many years since, their winter
chores had become a hardship and
they realized that, which they would
not acknowledge even to each other
that they were growing old and feeble
The house had never been left
alone, and, as they looked lovingly
around at each beloved object, each
felt pain tugging at the heart as they
| pictured the old house standing alone,
silent and deserted throughout the
| long, dreary months stretching before
them Their tender consciences up
braided them, and they felt like guilty
| creatures about to turn traitor TO a
| friend who had given them shelter.
At last Abbie spoke, her shrill voice
| breaking the silence between them so
abruptly that Ann, whose mind was
wandering far into the past, started,
bewildered at the suddenness of the
recall.
Ann! what If they should object
10 the clock?'
| what, what Is that you said, Sis
ter?" stammered Ann. vainly trying
, to collect her scattered senses.
| Abbie repeated the question.
AIMS composure returned as the in
| consequence OF the remark dawned
| upon her slowly returning conscious
ness, and made answer in her usual
complacent manner: "Why, Abbie,
now can they? the clock is one of the
family"
Yes, l know" Abbie persisted, but
suppose, Ann--just suppose that"
And besides" Ann went on, heed
less of the interruption, did not John
and Mary say that we might take our
necessary personal effects?"
Yes, Ann! but did you notice the
emphasis they put on necessary, Mary
repeating It after her husband to make
sure we understood"
well, let's not worry about It, Alb
bic, twill be all right, am sure"
When Ben, their nephew's hired
man. called for them the next day
Abbie hurried down the stairs and
before Ann reached the room, the
clock was upon the table, wrapped Sc
curely in a thick shawl which shielded
Il from detection as well as from in
jury.
With comparatively light hearts
they were driven to the big front door
where a warm welcome awaited them
and their last misgiving vanished as
Ben was given the order to take the
bundles to the parlor-chamber."
With a cordial invitation 10 make
themselves at home, they were ush
cred into their room. One glance re
vealed the fact that no pains had beer
spared to make them happy and com
Portable. The easy chairs, the soft
couch and the plump bed bespoke
thoughtful care and consideration, anC
the aunts felt truly grateful to theil
benefactors.
After arranging their belongings
they drew up their chairs before the
open fire and settled themselves com
fortably.
The soft cushions felt good 10 theil
frail tired bodies, and, as they sa
lazily watching the curling flames ant
listening TO the familiar tick of tn,
old clock, drowslness fell upon them
and they were soon fast asleep.
The sound Of voices disturbed theil
slumbers. OF course 1t was dream
for the voice seemed to come from the
blaze which was roaring merrily NJ
the chimney: Take the old thing tC
the shed and--sh! not so loud, you'll
wake the old ladies!'
| But the old ladies had heard, anC
the significance of the unfinished sen
tence was beginning TO dawn upor
their sleepy senses.
| After hearing the door close behinC