The Parma herald. (Parma, Idaho) 1903-1917, 1915-02-18

4uhIOttu anger W ulfus biObbJs
who as fitting climax to all her sis
terly attentions had given him today
this wonderful, wonderful pink tea,
and this five hull pound o. Virginny
terbaccer"
He held the parcel close to his
bosom. and went on, still praising
Blossy--this innocent old gentleman.
needless OF Angus gentle tug at his
coat-tail; while Blossy buried her abb
surdly lovely face in the pink flush
Of a wild-rose spray, and the other old
ladies' stared from him to her, their
faces growing hard and cold.
When Abraham sat down, aglow
with pride over his oratorical tri-
umphs, his chest expanded, his counte-
nance wrinkled into thousand guile
less, grateful smiles. there was abso-
lutte silence.
Then Blossy, her head still bowed as
II in shy confusion. began to clap her
hands daintily together, whereat few
OF the others joined her half-heartedly.
A sense of chill crept over Abraham.
Accustomed as a rule to deferential
attention, did he but say good morn
ing, by no means aware that his throne
had toppled during the winter, he was
still forced to perceive that something
had gone amiss.
AS always when aught troubled his
mind, father" turned to Angy; but
instead OF his composed and resource
full little wife he found scared-faced
and trembling woman. Angy had sud
denly become conscious of the shadow
of the green-eyed monster. Angy's
loyal heart was crying out to her
mate: Don't git the sisters daown on
yer, Abe, 'cuz then. mebbe, yewll lose
your hum" But poor Angelines 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 to her whom he had called his
guardian angel but Blossy was rising
from her seat. battling smile Of ex-
pectancy on her face, the rose spray
swinging in her delicate hand as II 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
edly hugging to herself secret which
she had not shared even with the
trusted Abraham. She was gowned
in her yellow lace, the beauty and
grace Of which had defed the chang
ing fashions as Blossy's remarkable
elegance of appearance had defied the
passing of the years.
Brother Abe,"-in her heedlessnees
of the mischief she had wrought,
never shall forget your speech as long
as l 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 midst OF 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 bewil-
dered Abraham with look of deep
and sorrowful reproach. Her unsteady
head bobbed backward and 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
of 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 word from
yew, nor anybody else" sterniy inter-
posed Aunt Nancy. I'm old enough
ter be yer mother. Go urstairsl"
Angy'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 wiet-
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 2s hard-visaged strangers.
To BE CoNTINUED)