The Morning examiner. [volume] (Ogden, Utah) 1904-1910, 1909-03-07

She resumed her scat i'll the window with her palm
leaf fan and promptly dismissed the subject OF Mr.
Elton from her mind. She was quite sincere in the
opinion she had expressed to her sister, and she
even amused at Mrs Hcwlctt's spccularons. IF
was 10 tell Minnie that, wouldn't she be mad |" she
thought
Presently she heard Minnie and the old man conc
IN from the garden and after the three young
men from the mill came in awkwardly and took their
places at the table, their hair damp from brush
ing and their faces shiny from conscientious abutons.
They shot an occasional awcd glance at Minnie as they
ate but they never addressed her. In fact she en-
barrasscd them terribly, much in tho way all affaole
angel might an humble family by suddenly appearing
at their board and by mis- very radiance confirming tic
mmeasurablc distance between himself and them.
Minnie and her mother sat at the end Of the table
with Mrs Hewlett Besides Mrs. Hewlett was Etons
empty chair "IIc must be working late tonight.
It's funny what's keeping him shc complained 10
Mrs Dcming and Minnie. Il never knew him tc be
rs late this.
"Oh. guess he'll be along presently" said Mrs.
Deming.
Minnie offered neither consolation nor comment
She went on steadily with her supper, though she was
aware OF certain anxious bcwildcrmcnt that
prised her 1T docs strange. and last night
here too" she told herself in excuse OF it
Presently she out and joined Father Hewlett
on tho narrow porch at the front OF the house The
old had had his supper at the kitchen table and
had como out here with his pipe The girl sat beside
him and he admired tho touch OF crimson her throat
Guess the gardcn'Il ye omorrow, he vcn,urcd
She smiled abscntly at HMM truth she
pied in endcayorng TO explain her unwonted
emotions concerning Elton, and she annoyed with
herself TO find 1t necessary.
She had no idea that she had become so interested IN
he he
strength his evident desire TO please her They had
become good comrades in the little while she had
known him, but nothing Of sentimental nature had
occurred between them, even OF the slightest.
even though for the last week she had been subtly
aware OF a vague intangible undcrcurrcnt in their
companionship that fascinated while it startled her.
When they had parted the night before, his hand
clasp the last look he had given her. seemed to
ycy than frendllncss and despite herself
her heart had leapcd to answer it
"Well | must have been mistaken" she told herself
mercilcssly. "Mr. Elton was good to and took
nc around just as he would have taken any other
girl that happened to be here I've been a fool to
think anything about him at ALL 10 h7ttcr myself
that he would rush home tonight because he wanted
10 be with He probably don't know care
whether we're going home tomorrow not, and 1t
serves me right l shnt think of him again, if live
to be hundred"
house, where Mr.. Elton also had roon appeared on
his steps with banjo and without warning
burst into melody Mrs. Hewlett and Mrs. Deming
from behind the mosqulto-ncngs the little parlor.
stopped the swaying of their rocking chairs to listen
Prcsidenty Mrs Hewlett appeared at the door.
Ed" she said to the young man. Jim Elton hasn't
in yct-thcrcs nothing wrong at the works, is
there"
Nothing as far as l know he replied and resumed
his interrupted melody,
sudden thought made the girl start to her feet
with tho very hidcousncsS OF it
No, there nothing wrong at tho works; Jim
Elton was staying away purposcyl No doubt she
had shown too plainly her JOY at his attentions and
had (horriblc thoughtD pursued him. This pre7r-
ranged absence simply give her vanity lesson
For moment she WINGED with humiliation, then
she took hold of her hnc courage with both hands,
though the idea with every momcnts passing seemed
grow probable I've had about enough OF
this nonsense" she told herself "Hc or
stay as he Ikes-its nothing to INC. way or the
other"
She went into the paror in a few minutes with her
head high. 81 guess I'll go up and finish packing"
she said to Mrs. Deming, and then go TO bcd-we
know
Mrs Dcming came painting up the stairs and sat
heavily the side OF the bed her daughter packed
In the lands name. don't work hardl" she said
finally. You're going at that trunk though yod
hated it-rcal viciouSf
The girl flushed hotly; then she laughed. Perhaps
"Wcl, thcrc'l be person here that's going to
miss you, If | know It, resumed her mother. and
that's Father Hewlett It's tcklcd him TO death 20
have you fussing around those flowers of his though
you'd never seen one before. En- don't TO have
much sympathy with him
Sympathy her daughter repeated "If you ask
me. mother | think she's downright mean to him.
poor old man! only wish he coming home with
US"
suddenly her face worked and she burst into stormy
tears above the skirt she folding. She's down
right mean TO HIM" she sobbcd passionatcly
Why, what on earth IS the matter with you?' said
Mrs Dcming She drew Minnie close IN her nothcrly
aTms-half-anxious- amused WHY, the idea OF
taking about Father Hcwlcttl En- looks after
him as though he 4 baby You needn't worry
that he isn't comfortable Why the idear'
Her daughter aycrtcd her face
81 guess this heat las made YOU nervous I'll be
glad when were home" said Mrs Dcmiuc
For some time after she was in bed Minnie heard
the Young man with the t00ia singing unelcssly TO
himscli Presently she heard him go IN and shut the
doo-
Early as it when her mother and herself came
down the nest morning the Young men from the mill
had eaten md gone thcT way.
COPYRIGHT, 1903