Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1914-10-07

As always when aught RVabled his
mind. father turned 70 Angy: but
instead OF his composed and resource
ful little wife he found a scared-faced
and trembling woman. Angy had sud
denly become conscious Of the shadow
Of the Green-eyed monster. Angys
loyal heart was crying out to her
mate: Don't git the sisters daown on
yer. Abe. 'cuz then. mebbe. yew1l lose
your hunt" But poor Angclines lips
were so stiff with terror over the pros
pect OF the county house for her hus
band, that she could not persuade
them to speech.
Abraham completely at sea, turned
next 10 her whom he had called his
guardian angel; but Blossy was rising
from her seat. battling smile of ex-
poctancy on her face. the rose spray
swinging in her delicate hand as if to
the measure of some music too far
back in youth for anyone else to hear
Blossy had worn that expectant look
all day. She might have been delight.
eddy hugging to herself secret which
she had not shared even with the
trusted Abraham. Shs VAS gowned
in her yellow lace. the beauty and
grace OF which had defied the chang
ing fashions as Blossy's remarkable
elegance OF appearance had defed tho
passing of the years.
Brother Abe. her heedlessness
OF the mischief she had wrought,
Blossy seemed almost to sing-"I
never shall forget your speech as long
as live. Will you excuse me now?"
She swept out of the door. her skirts
rustling behind her.
Abe collected himself so far as to
bow In the direction she had taken;
then with lamblike eyes of inquiry met
the exasperated glances cast upon
him.
Not sister moved or spoke. They
all sat as II glued to their chairs. in a
silence that was fast growing appall.
ing.
Abe turned his head and looked be
hind his chair for an explanation; but
nothing met his eye. save the familiar
picture on the wall of two white kit
tens playing in the midss of a huge
bunch of purple lilacs.
Then there broke upon the stiffness
the quavering old voice of Aunt
Nancy. from her place opposite Abe's
at the head of the board. The aged
dame had her two hands clasped be-
fore her on the edge OF the table,
vainly trying to steady their palsied
shaking. Her eyes. bright, piercing.
age-defying, she fixed upon the Devil
dered Abraham with a look of deep
and sorrowful reproach. Her unsteady
head bobbed backward anc forward
with many an accusing nod. and the
cap with its rakish pink bow bobbed
backward and forward too Abe
watched her. fascinated, unconsciously
wondering. even in the midst OF his
disquietude, why the cap did not slide
off her bald scalp entirely. To his
amaZement. she addressed not himself.
but Angy.
Sister Rose. yew kin leave the
room" Implacable purpose spoke In
Aunt Nancy's tone. Angy started,
looked up. going first red and then
white; but she did not move She
opened her lips to speak
Il don't want ter hear a word from
yew. nor anybody else" sternly inter
posed Aunt Nancy. I'm old enough
ter be yer mother. Go upstairs!"
AnSy's glance sought Miss Abigail,
but the matron's eyes avoided hers
The little wife sighed. rose reluctantly,
dropped her hand doubtfully reassur-
ing on Abe's shoulder, and then went
obediently to the door
From the threshold she looked wist
fully back; but an imperious wave
from Aunt Nancy banished her alto.
gether, and Abe found himself alone
not with the sisters whom he loved.
but with rs hard-visaged strangers.
TO BE CONTINUED