The Marshall republican., 1909-12-03
CHAPTER vi.

.NL WuCu liz bhOW DC6du hClliuk lTUIu
the partridge-berries the wood had
been cut and hauled. Only scattered
chips remained to tell the winters
work. And, although all the village
knew that Richard was learning
Greek, 1t did not know that in the
woods he had learned something hard
er than Greek. No one but he and
Seth knew that with every blow of
the ak he had made a stroke at his
trouble-and cut 1t, and sawed 1t, and
split 1t, and piled 1t high, and sledded
1t to town, and sold 1t at SO much q
D cord-till his heart was as sound as a
drum.
And when one morning he passed
Emily In her new spring array, trip.
ping along the country road, AZ coulu
life his hat and smile at her proudly.
And Emily, lingering the ribbons that
fell from her throat, called him In her
heart a tickle thing and rejoiced anew
that she was to be Mrs. Edwards.
He was on his way to Uncle Eben's
when he met her-carrying a message
from his mother. He found the old
man in the side garden, pottering
about over the half-dried earth and
warming his stiff back in the sun.
'Limy beans?" said Uncle Eben
when he heard the request. you'll
have to go into the house and ask her.
She hain't give me mine yet. It's
time for 'em, too. She keeps 'em
locked up In the secritary-ch'ice as
gold" He rose stifly from his knees
and led the way to the house.
Aunt Jerusha was buried in the
depths of the Dutch oven, a long
feather duster In her hand, with which
she whisked its sides. She emerged,
shining and surprised.
well, I declare, Richard; is that
you!" She readjusted her spectacles
and looked at him kindly. Her skirt
was pinned safely up out of harms
way and her sleeves were rolled above
the elbow. A s%unbonnet protected her
head. She beamed out of its depths.
Want some of the Limas. do you.
for plantin'? Well, I do know how
many weFl have. l hain't got 'em
down for pa yet" She glanced at him
suspiciously.
He shifted from one foot to the
other. 1t might have been hope or 1t
might have been impatience.
Aunt Jerusha's look changed to az
lection. HE wants some, dreadful"
she confided to Richard, "but it amt
time yet"
She crossed the room and took from
a high nail by the shelf a key. II was
the key to the parlor door. you come
with me, Richard" she said mildly, as
she waddled away.
Uncle Eben looked wistfully after
them. He seated himself in a straight
backed chair and, lifting his feet to
the front round, rubbed his fingers
thoughtfully.
Aunt Jerusha opened the parlor
door into the dim light. "You can
come right In" she said proudly,
Never mind your feet. Women were
made to sweep up dirt. I've got to
clean here next week anyway"
The room was speckless. Not q
trace of dust rested on any object
thought Aunt Jerusha gave an osten'
tatious puff to the plush album as she
lifted 1t. She opened It with a little
gesture of pride. It was half filled
with pictures, and in the hole left va
y cant in the other half reposed a key
II keep 1t in here" she whispered
"He wouldn't ever think of looking In
there" She chuckled softly as she
drew 1t out. She snapped the heavy
clasps safely and returned the album
to the table.
II thought I nights we'll show YOU
She stood in the dim light, watching
him mysteriously out of her sunbon
net. IF anything should happen to me
somebody'd hev to know, and ht
wouldn't have no more care an
child She directed her nod towards
the kitchen.
Uncle Eben looked up hopefully al
they returned, the key to the secre
tary borne in Aunt Jerusha's palm.
Mounting q chair in front of the
high secretary she inserted the key
I in the lock. The doors swung open
Uncle Eben Toasted his eyes. There
were packages Of seeds and velve'
bonnets and a string OF gold bead
and q high shell comb. She touched
ga package Of papers that lay at the
Nett That's my WILL" she said sig
~ hncantly to Richard. i've left every
: xhing to him."
A glow OF appreciation oyerspreat
Uncle Eben's face. why. Jerusha,'
ais boot-heels came down with
clatter to the ioor-"why, J~erusha--
'Not q world" she said sternly
turning ON him. Il don't want to heal
D word"
She turned back to the open spac'
and searched among the packages
Here they be. She gave o fat sigl
and descended from the chair. closinl
the mysterious doors. She emptie'
the package In her lap. Uncle Ebel
cycling Il ~enyiously from afar.
II shall divide even" she said witt
! calm air--'guat even" She counted