Licking Valley courier. [volume] (West Liberty, Ky.) 19??-current, 1913-09-18

TulSeu. II, uOWcNeI, hS 10 ulWllllUSJ b
she remains there, hoping to coax him
to a better mind. The poor fellow can
not treat her with the least discourtesy,
nor has he the consolation Of being
able to turn her out, as her friends in
such case would feel bound to avepge
the insult. His remedy, therefore, if
determined not to marry her, is to
leave his home and stay away as long
as she is in it.
One day Peter KomienzOff, a bache- |
lor, living in the Ukraine with his moth. |
err, while doing some work about his |
little place, heard light step, looked
up, and there before him stood Anna
Avienieff, blushing and with her eyes
cast down to the ground.
what brings you to our cottage
Anna Avienieff?" asked Peter, know
ing very well what brought her there
81 have come, Peter, to make you a
proposition"
81 am busy today, Anna, and have no
time to listen to your proposition"
II will wait until you are at leisure"
She went into the house, and, being
met by Peters mother, the old woman
asked her what she wanted
"To help you with your work. You
are not so strong as you were formerly
and need assistance"
son the contrary, am in better
health than for many years don't
need any one to help me-"
Anna did not appear to mind rebuff
from the woman, though when Peter
had shown that he was disposed to
get rid Of her she shivered little.
She began TO sweep The old woman,
knowing the customs Of the country
and understanding that the girl had
come to marry her son and that she
must not be treated with discourtesy,
permitted her TO sweep on, while she
herself attended to some baking for
supper.
At supper time Peter came in. He
spoke to Anna and at the table was
careful to serve her from every dish.
After supper he went to his room,
where he spent some time, and when
he came out he carried leather bag.
81 am sorry, Anna, to have to leave
you, but l must go away for awhile.
My mother will be glad TO have you
with her during my absence. Goodby,
mother Be good to Anna"
Anna cOlored, but made no comment
on this action, which size knew was in
tended to get rid Of her. Peter put out
his hand, saying goOdby; but, pretend
ing she did not see it, she turned and
went into another room. Then Peter
went away.
The customs Of Ukraine may be diff
ferent from other places, but the feml-
nine constitution is the same every
where. Anna Avienleff did not relish
the rejection Of her suit, but she made
no complaint. She had one strong
point in her favor In having possession
Of the premises, and possession is said
to be nine points of the law. She
stayed right where she was. and the
next morning when Peters mother
arose TO do her chores and get the
breakfast she found them all done and
the breakfast ready.
The old woman was wroth with the
girl for usurplng her work, but dared
not tell her so, fearing that Annals
brothers would hold Peter accountable.
Anna did most of the work during that
day, and the old woman, having little
to do, sat by the fireplace and dozed.
This continued every day for month,
Peters mother gradually sinking into
an easy life.
On the morning of the thirty-frst
day after Peters departure his mother
awoke and did not hear the sound Of
preparation to which she had grown
accustomed. Neither did Anna come
into her room with a basin of water
for lier, as usual. The house was per-
fcctly still. The old woman got up
and looked in the kitchen. No one
was there. The fire had gone out.
She went to Annals room and looked
] -NllAl NaAo Abt NhtiNs
There was nothing for II but to get
her own breakfast and do the usual
cleaning. Besides, It was wash day,
and the laundering must be done.
During the day she sent for Peter, and
when he came home for supper he
found his mother tired out.
The next morning Peter got up early
and did the chores. Tie did not know
how to cook, so he was obliged to let
his mother cook the breakfast. Dur.
ing the day the old woman tried to
do the work. but she had become used
to doing before the fire, Besides, she
missed the hum Of the little working
bee. The house was permitted to get
dirty, and things that the old woman
had before kept In repair were wear.
ing out. Peter found that his mother
so disllked to get up In the early morn
ing that he learned to cook the break.
fast himself. But he did not like do
ing so and liked the breakfasts he
cooked still less.
One morning who should come NJ
the walk but Anna, Peter, radiantly
happy, went TO meet her. Leading hel
in, his old mother put her arms around
the girls neck.
And then and there n marriage was
arranged to take place soon, but moi
too soon for Peter