Iron County record. [volume] (Cedar City, Utah) 1893-1982, 1910-10-14
sg8EEEEEEEEEEEEASs
AT Seventeen or Seventy
By Jeanne 0. Loizeaux

OF the little place. began with her old
quickness to ge the simple meal. She
put potatoes to bake in the oven,
found some baked beans to warm up.
and bit of steak to fry at the last
minute. and made ready to brew the
tea. She spread the red and white
cloth and set the table daintily-Lz
Just slapped things on, anyway.
But she put on only one plate and
cup-if he should ask her to stay, she
could 400 another The neighbors
might talk II she remained. but her
soul longed for a long. leisurely meal.
and talk with some one her own
age, without the interruption of the
children, or the half-contemptuous lis
tening of Liz William Best had gone
to school with her and David.
When she had done all that she
saw to do. she smoothed her poor plu.
mage with the alacrity of bird. and
sat down to wait. with her feet on the
hearth. She would not drink tea till
he came. What would he have to say?
When she had waited what she
thought was an age, and had at last
put the meat on to cook, she heard his
step on the walk. He looked about
moment. then walked to the cup
board for another plate, cup. knife.
fork and spoon. lie put them on the
table.
You'll have to stay to supper" he
said from the sink, where he was
washing his hands. 81 left word for
John to come fetch you guess
| httn NAI h.. A-L
things and the money. and told my
little stories, but Liz was considerable
riled. Seems she sent Miry to the
store TO see what come of you, and
you must a dropped the check In
there, for they found II on the floor.
Liz said | was interferin' and jawed
some, but I stuck to II that you had
a spell and | guess she believes that
much"
Grandma was dishing up the appe-
tizing meal and Liz wrath was not SO
ciose that 1t worried her at the mo-
ment. At least an hour or so of peace
was hers, and she would enjoy It to
the fullest She made the tea and the
two sat down to eat
guess perhaps you better stay
here-for always, mean, Mary.
There's enough for two, and like
tidy woman like you about. There's
too many in that house, don't see
how you've stood II so long-and too
few In This. You come over here just
to even things up!"
"John--wouldn't like it-how could
II? she stammered, with the pervers-
ness of woman. at seventeen or sew
onty, refusing to understand
IF you married me, John couldn't
say nOthin', could he? He's a good
enough son, but he's at work. and you
really have to live with his wife-be.
sides, you know always liked you,
Mary, from mite of o girl up and
even as Davids wife--an all He
wouldn't mind my lookin' after you,
and II can't be done any other way
as can see. Can IT."
Mary Simpson shook her head;
then she began to cry softly into her
apron. He rose and patted her
shoulder
You needn't say nothin' to any OF
them. Mary? You go home with John
and Monday mornin' III get license
and Preacher Cottrell and you can
slip over here about noon and wen
be married and no one can help 1t.
What do you say?"
The old lady dropped her apron
and looked up at him
IL believe I'd like II real well,
William My little pension would help
out some and I've always wanted a
David died. 1t seems too good to bO
true"
William Best went back to his place
at the table. content and she poured
him another cup Of tea. Then, sud
denly, she put her apron to her eyes
again.
What in tunket ails you, woman"
, he asked, anxlously
IL amt it," she smiled
? "You-you're goods gold-Tve
known you all your born life, won.
am lie waited for her to explain.
. II mean-that ! amt got a thing
} IL to be married I'M"
Even old man Best could not re.
, frain a laugh at that
You're all alike--you women! You
. beat old Whites cattlel bet Eve
! cried for a white silk dress to be mar.
10 ried in. Finish your supper, woman
; and III get my mothers black SILK
r out o that chest in the corner there
r It's good as new and you can take q
e tuck-or something in IT, Father
brought 1t home from sea- and 1t was
E the finest dress in the village in its
a time. She never wore 1t to speak OF
| Then John knocked and entered
I kindly, but rough. and took his moth
. car home And Grandma Simnsor