The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1908-01-17


oh. but there wasn't any engage.
mental least. nothing had ever been
said"
We'll" said Phoebe, as 5he took
several unnecessary stitches, III I
had been going with a girl two years
ana never mentioned anything about
being engaged, | should expect her to
think my attentions didn't mean any.
thing and she was free to so home
win anybody she liked. Shouldn't
your"
The young man blushed. ~
/ guess I've been something Of a fool
. Miss Perciyal.' he said with an en-.
! Darrasscd laugh. I've been expect
ing folks to be mind.readers. Thank
you for doing up my wrist"
Phoebe watched him as he went
4 down the path L knew Nellie was
| FEELING bad about something the last
time she was here" she unused: but
l had other company and so she didn't
say anything. It's queer what trinos
VIII come between two people who
really think the world Of each other"
ana Phoebe sighed as she recalled the
one romance Of her own life.
The cutting out of Freddie Westalrs
clothes was done, and Phoebe was at
her stitching machine, when Mrs.
Gaines, her next neighbor, burst In at
the door and sank into a chair DO
you Know how 10 put in stove lin.
ing she asked. breathlcssly John
took mine out and then was called
away and won't be home til noon;
and just before he went he remem-
bered TO give me a letter he took out
OF the post Office a week ago-and it's
from ny sister, and she's coming here
to-day on the halfpast ten train. ant
going on In the afternoon on her way
home from the mountains, and her
son and his wife are with her-and
I've been canning tomatoes all the
week and let everything else Eo-and
I've been working every minute since
! got the letter cleaning things up, and
forgot all about the stove"
I'm 20 right back with you"
Phoebe said promptly and the two
left the house together.
Phoebe was possessed of "gump.
ton" and the stove lining was put in
as quickly and as well as John could
have done IT,
Now, Laura" she commanded, you
Just run and change your dress and
get ready for your company-tIs most
II o'clock-and leave the dinner TO
me. III have 1t all on the table by
IL, and run over afterward and wash
up the dishes"
"Oh, It is too much"
mo, It isn't" Phoebe interrupted
her. What are neighbors for II not
to be nelghborly?"
So with deep breath OF relief Mrs.
Gaines obeyed, and Phoebe set to
work on the dinner
Everything went of well. and at
halfpast one the dishes were washed
and put away, and Phoebe was back
at her machine.
Just before supper Mrs. Gaines ran
over for a minute to tell Phoebe how
grateful she was. MY company had
to go away at three o'clock" she said,
and II 1t hadn't been for you | |
should have had to stay in the kltch. |
en- most of the time and hardly seen
my sister at all"
Phoebe hurried her sewing after
supper, so that by half,past eight she
was on her way down the road with |
Freddie Westalls completed garments |
over her arm
Mrs Westall gave n relieved sigh
at sight of her. I'm 30 glad they're
she exclaimed Some OF !
the other children dared Freddie to 90 |
through thlcket of horse-briers and |
vines this afternoon down
In the pasture, and his only pair OF
knickerDockers was torn to tatters
You couldn't stay and spend the even.
Ing, could you?" she asked wistfully as
Phoebe rose to go. 81 can't blame
folks for not coming to see me. when
! never get to see them; but do get
80 lonesome-and my husband is away
this evening too"
why. I'll be glad to-" asserted
Phoebe, and the two sat and rocked
and chatted till Mr. Westall came
home at ten o'clock
After Phoebe was home again and
had locked up for the night, there
came quick knock at the door.
Somebody must have been taken
suddenly sick and sent for me-" she
thought as she drew the bolt and
opened the door
Good evening, Miss Percival," said
4 voice which she instantly recognized
as that of the groceryman.
~ was going by home" tho young
man said, "and saw your light was
burning. SO thought I'd stop and toll
you that / acted on the hint you gave
me this morning. and everything IA
al right, Nellie has said she'll marry
ne. We thought we'd like you to know
about II first"
We'll, am glad" thought Phoebe.
Is she fastened the door again and