The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1911-06-08
After
Supper

against the gloom or the autumnai
night.
That brightest light was from the
dining-roOm. His mouth watered as
he recalled the suppers he had en-
joyed there before he and Hilda had
quarreled
Then he looked at his own bare Ia
BILE and at the floor on which were
the remains of the supper that had
been spread for him and which had
been upset and scattered by the dog
before he came in from the fields
| There was a note from his mother
explaining that she had gone into
town with a neighbor and would not
be back until the following after
noon.
The table had been generously
spread in anticipation of her absence,
but the dog had so upset things that
there was nothing eatable and the
well-fllled pantry of the kitchen Of
fered no relief Dabney Hawkins was
one of the few western farmers who
could not cook
For a time he watched the yellow
lights across the fields and then he
put on his hat with sudden determin-
alton and went out, carefully closing
the door behind him. His hunger
had conquered his pride. He would
go and confess his plight to Hilda
and ask her pardon.
In his heart he was glad Of an ex-
- he hn hoA
trying to bring his courage to the
point of an apology. They were not
engaged, and it was scarcely his right
to complain If Bill Sexton came out
from town to visit He did not blame
Hilda-now-fo being angry when he
made fuss.
There was a well worn patch be-
tween the great fields and as he
strobe along he mentally rehearsed a
number of graceful speeches Of apol-
ogy. But the words were forgotten
when out of the gloom there appeared
q figure in white and in the faint
light he could make out Hildas face.
Hilda was the first to speak. Good
evening" she said confusedly. Were
you comm to us? / was just comm
to your ma"
ma amt to home" he explained.
81 was coming to see your ma. My
ma went to town and the dog eat my
supper and I can't cook none. |
thought perhaps, your mad give me
some"
my ma amt home either ex-
planned Hilda, "and there amt any
supper. | was comm to ask some. ;"
You haven't any supper" he
gasped.
"The water tank fell onto the pan
try and kitchen" she explained. I'VE
amt even got stove
st got a stove but can't cook. Sup
pose you ONE and cook" he suggest
ed
Dabney led the way into the kitch-
en-, and Hilda quickly set about get
ting supper Under her directions,
Dabney Strengthened the table, get
ting out fresh table cloth and set
ting forth the plates and furnishings.
Meanwhile she was busy at the
stove and presently the fragrant odor
of coffee filled the room. Soon this
was augmented by other odors as
appetizing. and when the biscuit were
done and taken from the pan, Hilda
slipped into place at the head Of
the table and they ate as only two
young people with hearty appetites
can eat.
Seems kind o. nice to be sittin
here. just we two," suggested Dabney
as he passed his plate for a second
helping of ham and eggs. Il think
I'd like to have you here all the
time"
"Ain't got no call for jealous peo-
pie" said Hilda tartly. DO you want
some more coffee, too?''
Il want you most" said Dabney.
Hilda frowned.
"You can have more coffee II you
want IT, she said significantly.
"I'll take some-if that's all | can
have" he agreed, as he passed his
cun II was thinkin how nice 1t
would be to have you at the head OF
the table all the time. Ma wants to
go east to live with Nell. Nell wants
her bad, but ma won't leave me alone
because she knows | can't cook.
"You can hire girl II cooks all
you want" suggested Hilda with q
toss OF her head.
There's only one girl ! want and
that's you," he answered. I wasn't
wanting you Just to cook"
s'You had chance once" she re-
minded, "and you made row about
Bill Sexton
This was point he could not argue
and he subdued. The rest of the meal
was eaten in silence, and few words
were exchanged as Hilda cleared
away and washed the dishes When
she had done, she took up the light
shawl she had thrown about her
head.
.I'll be over to get breakfast" she
promised Il suppose your man
v,iraslI no hack nv noon