The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1913-09-04
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strolled out together, in unloverlike
fashion walking on opposite sides OF the
road, or else one behind the other. They
greeted one another calmly, and parted
with a guild NIGHT to ye, Willum.'
"Guid NIGHT, lassie." :
noticed occasionally, as Jeanne sat
at her sewing In the afternoon, that she
wore a piece OF ho~neysuckIe or a pink
rose In the front of her gown, and that
a sweet light Of content shone' upon
her face, but yet she seemed so COM
pletely absorbed in her household du-
ties, 90 unchanged, that one could hard
~ imagine Jeanne to be suffering, like
the rest OF the world, from the disease
OF love.
Five years thus elapsed, Ave years
during which we heard no more Of mar
rage. Thrifty, indeed, was Jeanne, and
careful. Her bonnet was the plainest
In the kirk. and her Sunday gown APP
peared to last ~eternally. she must have
put by money, with the canniness OF
her country women, but to u ques-
tions (and they were rarely and prud-
emily putt as to how her engagement
was progressing, she would only am
swer fine" We had begun to think
h whole affair a mere matter Of
friendship when one day we We're, sud
denly startled out Of u preconceived
notions, ..,. .... +
AS I entered the kitchen jeanne was
engaged Smelling peas, and all the time
big round tears were falling on the
huslks. ',.;... .. - .
"Jeanie, what is the natter" I
asked. completely taken aback at such
an unwonted sight. =
"Eh, mistress, dearl" said Jeanne,
looking at me with her honest brown
eyes. and trying to wipe away her
tears. IN have to gang ava the
NIGHT Ye mustn't be angry, I Gamma
bide. The lassie can cook well. and I'll
leave everything handy" ~
IT know you've trained the kitchen
maid admirably" ! answered, but
what's your trouble. Jeanie?" n
"Willum's I'LL" she said. and a fresh
gush Of tears gushed forth, ''and his
mother has just sent for me to nurse
him; maybe she'll not van to engage
a stranger, ye ken, on account of the
wages, and the stramash. and she
knows / IAN work hard-and specially
for my guild man that's to be-"
"Of course you must go, Jeanie," /
said. quietly, thinking It best to sooth
her, for I did not recognize my quiet,
well balanced Jeanne. Probably Will
lum Is not al Ill as you think. Anyway,
go at once, and set your mind at rest
Jeanne thanked me shortly. and the
grip with which her fingers held the
END or the table relaxed.
I feel dreadfully sorry as she stood
there, 30 strong, alert, and capable
looking, the very image Of q splendid
farmers wife. However, I said no
more, and presently I saw her going
out Of the back door in her neat black
gown, carrying in her hand the bonnet
box which contained her clothes.
What happened afterwards at the
farm we only knew by hearsay. VIII
lum's mother, q shrewd old lady, dis
liked her sons intended marriage,
knowing II meant a change OF mis-
tresses at the farm; yet. when he fell
Ill, and the are OF the chickens, the
calves. and the butter left her no time
to nurse the invalid. she Immediately
put her pride In her pocket, and desired
the presence Of Jeanne to ave the
Of a iSrvant. . .... w..
Jeanne perfectly realized this, but
with the patient humility OF love she
neither rebelled nor refused. willum
was Ill Willum's mother wanted her.
1t vas her place to go. She could lift
him In her strong arms. sing him to
sleep with her rich voice, and with her
deft hands prepare his food. She took
her bonnet of, hung II up ON q nail.
put on her white apron, and at once
proceeded to Willum's room. What
passsd between them there II too sa-