Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1912-10-29


Peeping through the curtain she be-
held the two ragged children who
often came to see Mrs. Hanson.
"Oh, come in. she cried. dragging
them in joyously.
II only she could keep them with
herl Conversation dragged, but the
children looked pinched and hungry.
do you like warm beans?" she
asked suddenly as they became UNI
easy.
Their expression was enough. Molly
dished beans lavishly, and spread big
slices of bread and butter. Never had
she so much enjoyed seeing anyone
eatl
But when they departed, Molly look
ed at the kettle in distress. Where
was the mems supper?
I'll look in the pantry she cried
at last with happy thought. Il must
not let Dexter Hanson laugh at mel"
There was big bowl of late roses
In the center of the supper table, and
Dexter had to own to himself that he
liked the innovation.
He had to own too, that the girl In
the white frock, with the rose-hush in
her cheeks, make a fascinating pic
ture as she poured the tea.
He noted the nervous futter Of her
pretty fingers, and his heart smote
him.
"Mr Brady was in hurry to get
| bo~,.o h. dfI MI cfnr, for cr1nnQr ,"
he explained, helping himself gener-
ously to the tempting beans.
Molly, glancing at him, noted the
astonished look when he placed some
of the beans in his mouth. She hasti-
! ~ tasted her own; in the tender lus-
ciousness, her teeth encountered one
-two-hard, unresisting objects.
The blood pulsed in her cheeks, and
she pressed her hands over her eyes,
breaking into nervous sobs.
Dexter rose quickly. 1t was very
! annoying to have a woman cry! Still
he went hastily round the table and
| put his hand gently on her shoulder.
Don't feel so badly" he murmured
| awkwardly, looking down at her. The
soft waves of her hair took on unmis-
taxable charms seen so alluringly
near.
Choking back her sobs, the girl
rose hurriedly.
81 ought to have known better than
to have attempted It'll ought to have
known did not know howl" she cried.
Her bitterness showed him how
much he had hurt her
Molly, Molly" he said, folding her
suddenly in his arms. "Tell me about
it-dear!"
To his joy, the unexpected tender
ness of his manner broke down her
reserve and she sobbed softly-it
justified his comforting her. 1t was
certainly very satisfying to feel her
soft hair beneath his lips, her tender
cheek pressed against his shoulder.
"Those poor Fraley children came,
she whispered, land they looked sc
hungry that / gave them most OF our
supper. Then thought l would put
in more beans-I did not know II
took so long for beans to cook!"
81 did not know it myself, dear.
he declared solemnly.
"And | wanted to keep the chill
dren because-Dexter. l was afraiC
here, all alone, ] know it seems sill.
to you, but I'm used to living where
can call the police at any moment, AM
it seems so dreadful not to be able t
, see anyone at ALL"
"Of course it does, Molly. / do no
wonder you are afraid, but you'll &c
accustomed to it.
Sweetheart, can't let you go bacl
to the city. VIII you stay herewith
me?"
But cannot cook" murmureC
Miss Prescott meekly.
Mother will love to teach you"
"And | am afraid of cows-and o
those great, high-headed horses"
you are not afraid with nae dear
and you have no need to so near then
alone"
but no sensible farmer man woul'
want such a wife-I'm not nearly a
smart as your mother"
Don't tell her so, Molly. She thinks
you are the bravest girl in the world
what will your friends think t
know you have chosen a girl VIII
doesn't know-beans?"
Molly" he cried. kissing her
they will never know it,"
Copyright. 1872 by Associated Literar!
? Press)
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