The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1915-04-13

a "guardeen angel" to him; Blossy
who as a fitting climax to all her sis
terly attentions had given him today
this wonderful, wonderful pink tea
and "this five hull pound o. VirgiRny
terbaccer."
He held the parcel close to his
bosom, and went on, still praising
Blossy-this innocent old gentleman
needless of Angy's gentle tug at his
coat-tail; while Blossy buried her alb
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 a. thousand guile.
less. grateful smiles, there was abso.
lutte silence.
Then Blossy, her head still bowed as
IL In shy confusion, began to clap her
hands daintily together, wnereat a 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
fTIf little -ryifn ho found O 1-fo GOD
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, yew1l 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, a battling smile Of ex
pectancy on her face, the rose spray
swinging in her delicate hand rs II tc
the measure of some music too faI
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. She was gowneo
In her yellow lace, the beauty and
grace of which had defed the chang
ing fashions as Blossy's remarkable
elegance Of appearance had deaed the
passing Of the years.
Brother Abe,"-in her heedlessness
of the mischief she had wrought
Blossy seemed almost to sing
never shall forget your speech as long
as live. VIII you excuse me now?'
She swept out of the door, her skirts
rustling behind her.
Abe collected himself so far as tc
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 If 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 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 and forward
with many an accusing nod, and the
cap with It's rakish pink bow bobbed
backward and forward too. Abe
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.
81 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!'
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 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 % hard-visaged strangers.
CTO BE CONTINUED