Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1910-02-03

went round and put his hands on his
sisters slim shoulders. He might
have tossed her to the ceiling II he
had been chosen.
See here, Hatty." he said, 81 like to
have my own way once in awhile, just
for change. / want you to have
that paper. It'll brighten you up
make you ten years younger, and
show the nighbors we know what's
what as well as any one. I'm going
to send it to you bright and early to-
morrow, and if you'll hang it. I'll tell
you what I'll do-Tll let up on Pillow,
and give him another chance How's
that for bargain?"
He did not wait for an answer, but
gave her the gen-lest of shakes before
he let her go, went out laughing into
the hall, thrust his great shoulders
into his overcoat, kissed his hand, and
was off with good-by and a bang of
the front door that set the little house
a-tremble.
"Spunkiest little woman in all
Massachusetts" he chuckled to him
self, striding away down the street,
IF she does look like a piece of your
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES best china, just
mt to crush in your hands. She won't
do 1t, l suppose; always manages to
have her own way, somehow. But
need something to keep me up to that
resolution about Pillow. And If
should have to let him off, well, it
would be worth it to me, twice over,
to see Hatty give in"
Miss Hatty, left alone in the hall
after that slam of the front door,
stood still and looked about her trem-
bling.
Half the house, with the shop, the
little parlor back OF it, and the two
tiny chambers above, was hers; the
corresponding half, without the shop
window, belonged to the Pillows. The
line of division ran through the center
of the hall and was as clearly marked
as was the character of the owners.
On Mrs. Pillows side the floor was
covered with strip of gay carpet
The wall famed with the gorgeous
and intricate pattern of the paper
which had so aroused the admiration
and envy of Mr.. Bascom. It's surface
reflected the sunshine which fell
through the fanlight over the door,
and distracted the eye with the va
riety and splendor of its hues. Miss
Hatty's wall was painted somber
though spotless yellow, and the boards
Of her floor were left bare and
scrubbed to a snowy Wilderness.
Il can't do it," she murmured. |
clasping her slender fingers in dis |
-ress. Il can't! It's too much to ask. |
should feel as if the house was in a |
perfect clutter If had those images |
Ill over my wall. l couldn't breathe.
t don't seem to me it's the place for
such things, anyway, seems kind of
wicked, birds and flowers, and they'd
haunt me. | should dream of 'em.
What did Sam ask me to do it for?"
She went back into the parlor
where Milly Davis waited in a breath
ess and solemn agitation.
"Of course they had ought to pay
heir interest money" unused Miss
fatty. looking at the child with dazed
nd woeful eyes as if she scarcely
ealized her presence. But Susy
'illow's lived here so long, it'll about
reak her heart to go away. do sup
ose it's my duty as neighbor and
'hristian to help her out. If it's any
rays in my power to do it. / wish it
'asnt. wish-I don't see how can,
INFLOW in the world. It'll be every
1t as hard as moving myself to have
II those things staring and fiaring at
lie, and figurin' round me all the
me. I'd rather move. I'd rather go ,
nd live somewhere else, in strange
ouse, than stay here where it won't
eem like home any more,"
Milly, round-eyed. awed and fas- {
mated by this unheard-of outburst I
ON her gentle mistress, ventured n {
embling word of consolation.
But Miss Hatty turned upon her I
it'll pale though gentle austerity.
"Milly," she said, there's the shop b
I'll, run and see what's wanted" b
After that the day wore away slow d
and in silence. An atmosphere of I
DOM pervaded shop and parlor. {
rade was dull, though the day was
} bright, and even the tinkle of the 4
tie bell, usually so cheerful and in 9
firing, had now lugubrious and
neless sound. as il Ii shared the Il
neral detection. The lights were D
early, and bidding Milly D
kind but distant goodnight, Miss b
atty retired to her chamber.
What spiritual struggles were hers |,
ring the night watches, what self. I,
what debates between II
nscience and inclination, what deep e,
d sorrowful study of the situation G,
all its aspects, these things no one II
er knew. But when dawn broke. Il
md her sleeping quietly, her smooth 10
eek, pure as an infants pressed
,nquilly upon her maiden pillow, n,
when she came downstairs, rust
g crisply in her fresh print gown. or
, cloud of yesterday had vanished ia
I'M her face. There shone instead sh