The Dolores star., 1909-11-26
,ord-un his heart was a. sound = )

cord-tin his heart was ~ sound - .
drum.
And when one morning he passed
Emily In her new spring array. tfir
ping along the country road. he could
lift his hat and smile at her proudly.
And Emily. lingering the ribbons thst
fell from her throat, called him In her
heart q fickle thing and rejoiced anew
that she was to be Mrs Edwards.
He was on his way to Uncle Ebens
when he met her-carrying q message
from his mother. He found the old
man in the side garden. potterfng
about over the half-dried earth and
warming his stiff back In the sun.
"Limy beans?" said Uncle Eoen
when he heard the request "You'l
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 ~
gold" He rose stiniy from his knees
and led the way to the house.
Aunt Jerusha was buried in the
depths of the Dutch oven, q long
feather duster In her hand. with which
she whisked its sides. She emerged.
shining and surprised.
We'll. l declare. Richard: II 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 sunbonnet protected her
head. She beamed out OF its depths.
Want some of the Limas. do you.
for plantin'? Well, l do know how
many we'll have. I hain't got 'em
down for pa yet" She glanced at him
suspiciously.
He shifted from one foot to the
other. It might have been hope or It
might have been impatience.
Aunt Jerushas look changed to af-
fecdon. HE wants some, dreadful" :"
she confided to Richard. ''but It amt
time yet"
She crossed the room and took from
q high nail by the shelf 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 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 It. She opened 1t with little
gesture Of pride. 1t was half filed
with pictures, and in the hole left va
cant In the other half reposed q key.
Il keep 1t in here" she whispered.
HE wouldn't ever think of looking in
there" She chuckled softly as she
drew It out. She snapped the heavy
clasps SAFELY and returned the album
to the table.
Il thought nights well 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 he
wouldn't have no more care AN
child" She directed her nod towards
the kitchen
Uncle Eben looked up hopefully as
they returned, the key to the secre-
tary borne in Aunt Jerusha's palm.
: Mounting chair in front Of the
high secretary she inserted the key
in the lock. The doors swung open.
Uncle Eben feasted his eyes. There
were packages Of seeds and velvet
bonnets and string of gold beads
and high shell comb. She touched
q package of papers that lay at the
left. That's my WILL" she said sig
nificantly to Richard. i've left every
thing to him."
A glow Of appreciation overspread
Uncle Eben's face. why, Jerusha,"
his boot-heels came down with
clatter to the fioor-."why, Jerusha--"
Not a word!" she said sternly,
turning on him. IT don't want to hear
q word"
She turned back to the open space
and searched among the packages.
Here they be-" She gave fat sigh
and descended from the chair, closing
the mysterious doors. She emptied
the package in her lap. Uncle Eben
eyeing it enviously from afar.
Il shall divide even." she said with
. calm air-"just even" She counted