Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-12-30
EVENING STORY.
MRS. hANsAN's PREsENTlMEN7
y BY Emma sanderson. .
(:Copyright, 1911, by the Associated
~ Literary Press.) ,

"WnaC makes you Dane 80 MUM o"'
once?" asked James Hanson of his
wife as she stood looking meditative.
ly at the array Of pies, cookies ana
crullers which gave testimony OF her
mornings work.
1t was some little time before Mrs.
Hanson answered.; she seemed to ne
considering whether she would say
what was In her mind.
"You will need them all during the
next few days, James," she an
nounced finally. For l am going
hence tonight"
"Going hence!" Mr.. Hanson repeat
ed. What in the world do you mean
by that?"
Gust what I say, James, Mrs.
Hanson replied with convincing final
ity. II knew that tonight would be
my last one so have things all ready
to leave There won't be any too
much on hand with all the relatives
coming. You know what an appetite
Harry Benedict always has"
Mary" said Mr.. Hanson, coming
nearer to his wife and looking crlti-
cally at her, "do you feel cold or in
chill?" ..
mo, not Bit" the answer came
calmly.
Hot, them" ...
mo, not hot either I feel remark
ably we'll considering what Is before
line tonight. I have the bedrooms
ready, too" she added, with satisfac-
ton. II have made up bed In the
east room; thought it would do well
enough for Henry"
Mary Mary! What ails you:
broke in Mr. Hanson, now thorough
)ly aroused to the awfulness Of the
occasion and with a long lost look or
tenderness creeping over his grim
face. do you mean to say that you
really believe that you are going to
to die-tonight?"
Certainly" responded Mrs. Han
son, II know it,
"Come, Mary, now, and sit quietly
while I 60 after Dr. Jones; he'll rea-
| son you out of this and tell you what
wrong idea you have in your
| mind" Mr.. Hanson made himself
ready in haste, noticing meanwhile
the air of preparation that the whole
house presented. Upstairs on the
best dresser stood huge bouquet OF
sweet peas of Mary's own raising
which breathed out a welcoming
fragrance. The entire effect sent his
heart to his throat and he hastened
out with anxiety on his face. .'
He was gone only few minutes,
however. ..,u.
'The doctor isn't in,, nor won't be
until evening"" he announced trem'
blingly. How are you feeling, now
Mary?" "
"It's Just as well he wasn't there,
James," his wife answered cheerfully.
"You know I'm not going till tonight
anyway" ~ "a
"What would you say. Mary, to get
ting out for ride? It's a beautiful
day and it might do you good" Mr..
Hanson suggested, at his wits end
| to know what to do next.
"Why, I think that would be very
pleasant We might as we'll make the
most Of the time-and I haven't been
beyond Main street In more than two
years"
Once more Mr.. Hanson hurried out,
this time to return with a comfort
able vehicle. Then followed the task
Of helping Mary get ready, which he
fulfilled dutifully.
"Your bonnet doesn't look very we'll
and your coat isn't what 1t ought to
be; you'd better get some now things
| when you feel like looking around a
little." with his voice full Of q mo-
mentary hope that Marys strange
fancy was passing even now as
quickly as 1t had come. Not so, how
ever
1.-The hat and coat are well enough
for one more wearing" Mary an
swered, significantly.
Carefully Mr.. Hanson lifted his wife
| into the carriage to take the ride I'M
der these most unusual circumstances.
We'll go first and hunt up Hannah
and see If she will come back to
work., he proposed. "Times are going
| to be better now," he added lamely.
Mrs. Hanson smiled responsibility at
the better prospects for the world IN
general, but conveyed the impression
that times, good or bad, could never
again effect her personally.
Aloud she said, IT think myself that
| Hannah would do as we'll for you as
anyone, she knows the ways Of the
house and is honest and faithful"
After they had satisfactorily accom-
| plised this domestic errand the ride
r,ro~~essad without further incident,
while Mrs. Hanson furtively watched
TIE ,ult, woman at his side. 1t was
dusk when they reached home and Mr..
Hanson, with increasing fear, assisted
Mary into the house, then left her
again just long enough to return the
horse to the stable and leave word for
DR.. Jones to come to the Hanson house
that evening and be prepared to stay
all night The subject of supper was
not preached. Mr.. Hanson made lights
which instead of cheering only reveal
ed those dreadful preparations every
where evident. IA, 5..s.
The time dragged YEARLY until the
doctor came, then James recited the
facts of the case and told of the fate
full end predicted by Mary. DR.. Jones
looked puzzled and thoughtful.
Mary lay quietly and comfortably
| in her bed, but Mr.. Hanson was now
on the verge Of collapse and needed
constant reassuring, which the doctor
supplied with a patience acquired
through years Of experience.
Slowly the hours dragged by.