The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1913-11-20

After a big snow storm she always
found the path to the spring, where the
cattle drank, carefully opened Hay
appeared over night as II by magic
upon the feeding floor so that she need
not go up into the NOV. When the
wood began to get alarmingly low ana
she started for the woods with an az
over her shoulder, she found a great
pile of freshly cut sticks ready for the
stove
Neither did she mention any OF
these things to the young man on their
frequent trips to town. although they
talked together of many things.
One afternoon, when the sun had be-
gun to cut into the snow crust with
promise of spring, and the business
had been accomplished earlier than
usual. Bob stopped In front OF the
only theater the little town boosted
Let's go in" he suggested. we
have plenty of time"
oh. no." The girls face flushed
painfully.
why not?"
don't look fit" She glanced
over her inexpensive, bedraggled at
tire
See here, Molly" Bob's voice was
hoarse, Il cant stand this kind OF
thing. You're not the right sort OF
girl to have to work like man
Don't you know l want to take care
OF you. dear?"
oh" crieti the girl. Il cannot leave
Aunt Mary, no matter how queer she
seems"
The rode home Ia silence.
Molly" said her aunt few days
later. put on your things and go back
to the sap shanty. | see smoke COM
ing from that direction. Some OF our
neighbors are none too good TO heIp
themselves to our sugar bush now /
can't get around"
AS she approached the low, old
building. Molly distinctly did see
smoke rising from the rude chimney.
A sleigh with two big tin cans OF sap
stood beside the door, and to the
sleigh WAS hitched the black team
which had given her 30 many trips to
town. AS she crouched behind tree,
Bob Farnley came out and carried two
pals of the precious sweet fluid into
the interior of the hut.
The girl staggered back to the barn.
sick at heart. Could 1t be true? Was
Aunt Mary right?
Everything WAS all right" she said
mserably when she went back into
the house.
On Saturday big thaw had set In,
80 her trip to town was postponed.
She did not go to the woods again
though her aunt babe her keep a sharp
lookout for sugar thieves.
Several nights later the CIR, was
wakened by her auut's hand upon her
face.
Keep still-help me up-there is
someone moving outside the kitchen
door, she whispered
Trembling with nervousness, Molly
hastily wrapped the old lady IN a
warm shawl and half carried her to
the door outside of which could he
heard muff1ed footsteps.
Miss Mary feerlessly flung open the
door and there upon the doorstone
stood Bob Farnley tin strip can In
each hand
"Oh, you've caught me. might
have trusted you to do that, Miss
Mary! I've made this strip for Molly
thought the money might come In
handy for her, and 1t was doing you
no good"
You knew this!" Miss Mary's voice
was stern.
'I-didnt know 1t was for me-"
And 80 you shielded HIM"
Miss Mary's voice held sudden
laughter.
Il guess you'll do, Bob" she said.
but you are two young fools-and
I'm an old one. Help me back to my
room, child, and then l guess you had
better help Bob get that strip into the
house,"
Copyright. 1912. by the Mcclure News
paper Syndicate)