Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1909-01-14
|. AS SUGGESTED
BY NORAH.
By Matilda Henderson Wheelock.
Copyrighted zoos. by Associated
Literary Press.

UNN>N~N~N~~N~N
Ordinarily the merry clatter OF pans
and kettles and the cheerful swish or
soapsuds as Norah's dexterous hands
MANIPULATED the dishcloth formed an
enlivening accompaniment to the ten
der strains of kathleen Mavourneen"
or the rollicking melody OF Rory
O'More."
But this morning no fresh young
Irish voice caroled forth through the
open window above her kitchen table.
and the corners Of Norah's wide red
mouth had pathetic droop, wholly
out Of keeping with nativity which
unequivocally proclaimed itself In ev-
cry feature.
Even the clatter and swish had
subdued sound, as though the pots and
kettles and the soapsuds, realizing that
sorrow had invaded their domain, were
thus rendering a seemly acknowledg-
ment.
| This explains how 1t came about that
another sound, also subdued and like
/ wise indicative of acquaintance with
/ sorrow. came floating In through the
/ window and fell suddenly on Norah's
/ ears.
/ This was nothing more nor less than
muffled Sob and single glance
/ through the window sufficed to show
/ that 1t had proceeded from the ham,
| mock swung in the shade of the big
/ crab apple tree in the back yard.
This hammock, supposed to be Nor
abs own particular retreat in her
/ hours Of leisure, was now occupied by
tumbled heap of pink gingham
which lay with face fcrlornly buried in
a weather beaten pillow.
Norah watched for wondering mo-
ment the ebullition of childish woe.
4 then dried her hands. wiped her eyes
with a corner OF her apron and has
tened down the kitchen steps In the
direction OF the hammock.
A deeper burrowing of the head into
the pillow, louder and more soulful
sob and a more vicious output Of the
long, black leg rewarded her initial in
/ quiry as TO the cause Of anguish so
acute.
/ But presently the story came out
Aunt Beth had broken her promise!
| Norah knew of the picnic this after
noon at Watson's grove.
! Norah did and furtively wiped away
two fresh tears as she made a sad lit
I tie sound in her throat indicative Of
assent For was there not to be
dance in the evening, and wasn't she
herself to have gone?
And now-well. now she wasn't GO
ing. and something that she knew In
her heart would have been said to-
night would never be said now!
Well. after promising positively more
I than a week ago that she. the aggrieved
one. should go to this picnic in Uncle
Larry's machine along with Uncle Lar
~ and Aunt Beth herself she. the
aforementioned untrustworthy Aunt
Beth. had calmly announced not half
an hour ago that. 80 far as she and
the aggriAved one were concerned,
there was 10 be not only no picnic. but
no Uncle Larry!
Now. the sggriered one knew that
'.uncle" had been up TO date merely
an honorary title and that not for
some months yet was Uncle Larry to
have come into full possession OF the
aggrieved one as a really and truly
niece.
This had been matter of minor i'm
port. since II hardly seemed possible
that the emoluments ensuing from the
possession of a truly uncle could be
greater than were those of one so priv
LEGGED as to own an Uncle Larry in
prospectu.
Supplies of candy and motor rides
could scarcely In any case be more
steady. There hadn't as yet been any
picnics. for this was the first Of the
season. And now there wasn't ever
going TO be any picnic and no truly
Uncle Larry,
As this edict OF Aunt Beth, with all
its potential consequences. came back
to her afresh the aggrieved one, emit
ting particularly vociferous wall and
giving muscular vent to her despair in
a final vicious kick. flung herself out
OF the hammock upon Norah's own
GRIEF burdened breast.
why. Norah. you're crying toow
The aggrieved ones sobs underwent
sudden cessation as she became
aware OF this heretofore unheard OF
laehrymal proceeding on the part Of
happy Norah.
II can't help 1t, miss. I'm $3.50
sorry-for Miss Beth" sobbed Norah,
making futile attempt to stanch the
dow OF tears on the corner OF the long
suffering apron.
Sorry for Aunt BETH This was an
entirely new and rather absurd view
Of the situation.
why. Norah! What are you sorry
for Aunt Beth forr
"Because-oh. miss, because she
don't name It! She don't iver In the
world name q word av IT,"
More wonders! Not mean It! Why,
II this were true and Aunt Beth really
didn't mean II. then there wasn't any
body to be sorry for The aggrieved
ones voice had sudden joyful note
Of hope.
"Oh. do you think she didn't really
mean IT, Norah7 Then whatever made
her say fty'
Och. belize twas Jist a foolish quar-
reI--jist a foolish. foolish qnnrrei--an'
now she's like 70 ruin her whole loifc
be not givin' In That's the way gurrls
bc-they'il be dyin' 20 make oop. but