Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1908-01-03
The End of
Her Visit
BY Violet Efynge Mitchell
(Copyright)

mother here on a visit?"
Mrs. Penny paused in her washing
and looked back at him over her shout
der, timidly. .. =.
Il suppose It is. Josiah" she spoke
Aesitatingly, and her face clouded. IT
you say the word III send her an invi-
taton at once"
Mr.. Penny was driving a nail into
one Of the kitchen chairs which had
for some time needed repairing, "'T
seems to me, Phoebe" said he, as II
there never. was time when It's real
convenient for mother to come
Mrs. Penny sighed. Il know II,
JOSH" she replied; 1--WE been awful
mean about that visit, but soon's the
milk's attended to I'll set right down
and ask her to come; and-and-rll
give her the best room and golfer
the piller cases a purpose. can't do
no more?"
NO" Mr.. Penny stammered, run
ming his fingers through his long, red
dish hair. in a dazed kind Of way.
E Mothers a little peculiar, likes pow.
erful well to have her own way. You'll
humor her, Phoebe?"
Mrs Penny was hidden from sight
behind the door as she answered,
ayes, JOSH"
Josiah, with his hands buried deep
IN his pockets, went slowly down the
lane leading to the barn.
Phoebe watched him, shading her
eyes with one hand from the setting
sun, and then reentering the house be-
gan to prepare their early supper.
A knock at the door caused her to
start, and, as if caught in a sin, she
wiped away from her flushed cheeks
the last traces of tears, then called
out cheerfully: Come in"
why, Mrs. Wigger!" exclaimed she,
Frightening as the door opened to ad-
NIT an elderly woman. Her shrewd
black eyes were full Of keen intelli-
gence.
If l amt glad to see you," cried
Phoebe. "A talk with you always
chirks me up when I'm blue. It seems
to me as if you was kind of mother
to me-"
What pears to be the matter with
you, my dear?"
Mrs. Penny hesitated. Mothers
comm to pay US visit" said she at
last, a little irrelevantly, as 1t might
appear.
Mrs. Wigger started, and leaning
forward with hand on each arm OF
the rocker, looked scrutinizingly at
her companion.
you don't mean Josiah's mother
ole Mis- Penny"
Eyes, | do" replied Phoebe Imply
The elder woman relaxed her hold
On the arms of the chair and, throwing
her head back against the padded pill
low, began to rock violently.
my lands.' she exclaimed. you
let me know when she's gone home
and I'll come along and take up what's
left of you on dustpan know Ann
Eliza Penny we'll there amt one thing
about her | amt pizen well acquaint
ed with, and she's one of the cantan
keringest, interferingest, all round all
Areddest old woman ever"
"Hush!" exclaimed Phoebe, with her
finger on her lips. The sound of he1
husbands approaching footsteps upon
the gravel path had reached her ears
Mrs. Wigger made long visit. She
, took tea with Mr.. Penny and his wife
but no further opportunity for conf
Dental talk occurred between the two
women until, as she babe Phoebe
goodnight at the door, she managed
In squeezing her hand, to whisper:
20 Il dunno as you'll set any great
store by my tellin' you of it, Phoebe
but caraway seeds in cake always
brings on sick spell in Mis- Penny
/ know it, because I've heard her say
them was the only times she ever had
q bilious attack, and when she had one
OF them she's very partik'lar about
bein' home"