Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1911-06-08

been mailed. then she wondered what
Ellen would think of it. She was sure
at last that Ellen would think it a sill
ly notion and pay no attention to it.
She lost her cheerfulness and became
so respondent that Jared noticed it.
care you sick?" he asked.
NO." she said duly.
Don't seem to be acting very peart,"
he remarked as he went out.
Meanwhile the letter had sped on its
way and brought first wrath. then gen.
uine sympathy and appreciation, to Sis
ter Ellen.
Poor Mary" she sighed. "She has
not had an easy life, but it is hard to
get away from a farm. Now. let me
see."
She evolved a plan, called a family
council and eventually wrote a letter.
"There," she said placidly, wiping
her glasses. II hope Mary will like
my plan. She was always a great
one to make believe"
After a week had gone past Mrs.
Brown tried to make herself keep away
| llOlu IN 1AuAl ~ az lAC LULU SdIC,
but in vain. She watched daily for
the carriers coming. and when he had
gone past she plodded out to the gate.
Her heart stood still when she saw
a letter. She picked it up. 1t was
the letter. 1t seemed to her that her
heart would have broken If it had
been anything else. She could hardly
walk back to the house and sank
breathless IN the lowest step.
She was to visit Ellen first, the letter
read. then a letter would come telling
her whom she should visit next, and
so on Thus there would be some
thing for her to look forward to.
There were a great many do you re-
members following the business part
Of the letter, and Mary Brown laughed
softly to herself.
The hungry clatter Of chickens and
pigs reused her at last. The rapt ex-
preston faded from her face, and she
looked anxiously at the setting SUI
"Mercy!" she calculated. Its get
ting late. Shoe, there! I'm coming to
feed you now"
The next morning she arose with a
feeling of elation.
snow l am visiting Ellen" she
thought happily. ELLEN had pancakes
for breakfast when l was there be-
fore"
Mrs. Brown had pancakes for break
fast, served with the best strip. and
she beamed upon Jared in a way that
made him feel uncomfortable.
At noon she had fried chicken, and
Jared watched her in establishment as
she helped herself to one of the choic-
est joints-his favorite piece.
"Are you feeling well?" he asked.
GAS well as common, thank you,"
she responded in her best company
manner. and Jared pondered in silence.
He noticed during the next few days
that things did not seem to run with
their accustomed smoothness, and he
did not understand why it was so.
His wife seemed well; in fact. when
he took pains to observe her carefully,
she looked uncommonly we'll. He de-
cided the trouble lay with himself.
II wish you'd fix me up some bit
tiers, Mary" he said that evening. Il
don't seem to be feeling just right"
"Why. certainly. Wil-Jared." Mrs.
Brown said cordially. "I'd love to.
I'll do it the first thing in the morn
ing"
Jared had expected instant sympa-
thy and was prepared to give his
symptoms in detail after he had had a
little gentle urging. But Mrs. Brown
was visiting William just then. and
William had written that his health
was fairly good. Moreover. she re-
membehed that William had never
liked to be fused over. Therefore she
forbore to ask questions. and Jared
turned to his paper in disgust.
With the morning came a letter.
Her mind was filed with pleasant fan
cies, and the bitters was forgotten.
Jared was indignant. He was not ac-
customed to being ignored. and Mrs.
Brown was ignoring him. 1t was not
intentional. however. The truth was
that he simply did not enter into her
present existence.
Her necessary work she CLOSED over
by pretending to be helping which
ever relative she was visiting. and
when that was done she followed bold
~ where her fancy led. 1t led her to
do many things that puzzled Jared.
She walked around imaginary chill
dren when she worked and crooned to
imaginary babies while she rocked.
To be sure Jared could not know why
she suddenly swerved from a straight
course in going from one room to an
other or why she held her arms in
such a peculiar manner when she
rocked. 1t came to him suddenly one
day that her arms held in such a man
ner might easily enfold a child. He
walked out to the barn and sat on an
empty key.
"Poor Mary" he groaned, poor Ma
ry! Her mind is going! It's been-let
me see. it's been thirty-6ve years since
her baby died, and he was only four
months old, not old enough for her to