The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1915-06-11

| OH us GCCuSlOueu Hall, anu StOCu eASAO
surveying it. 1t was plain from the
way she looked, that she had deter
mined to speak.
MA" she asked of the woman who
was sitting before the little round
stove, " what we're those papers Dave
put in his pocket as l came in?"
Some things he was shown me"
Ma" she asked quiveringly, you
didn't sign anything, did your
Il DIDN'T sign your name to any
thing" And the needles clashed
again.
She knew her mother too we'll to
press further.
81 just couldn't understand Dave
ventured and | thought he acted
queer"
The old woman was folding her knit
ting.
I'm going to bed and you'd better
come along, too" was her reply.
A week went by, and although Libby
had twice forgotten to feed the chick
ems, and had several times let the ket-
tie burn dry, she was beginning to feel
more settled in her mind.
She did up the work one morning
and went to town.
Her first call was at the solicitors,
and here she heard the worst. Ma had
assigned their home to Dave. She did
not make any fuss; she was too old
fashioned for Mysteries.
1t was not until the old place came
in sight that she broke down.
TITS not fair" she cried out, when
I've stayed here and worked-it's not
fair!" And, for the first time in many
years, she was crying-passionat
crying.
1t was feeling of outraged justice
that made her speak, for she was just
a woman-the daughter of pa.
MA" she said, do you think pa
would like to think of you assigning
the place to Dave, when I've stayed
here and kept it up the best l could
for twenty years?'
Il think you don't realize what
| you've DONE" she said; and turned to
the bedroom to take off her things
1t was not until the next month the
clustering month of March that all
was mace clear. 1t was early in the
afternoon when Libby looked from the
window and saw man coming in at
the big gate.
That friend of Dawes from the city
| is coming. ma" she said.
Gracious" exclaimed Mrs. Ander-
son, and such day as tisi"
The stranger warmed his hands. and
disbursed a number of pleasantries.
We'll, Mrs. Anderson" he said fin
ally, your son wants me to make a
little proposition to you
Mrs. Anderson looked pleasantly ex-
pectant.
Dawes always maxim propositions,
she chuckled.
Hes been good deal worried about
you this winter-afraid you were not
just comfortable out here-you two,
all alone" Dawes always thinkin' of
his mothers comfort" she asserted;
and looked triumphantly over to Libby.
Well" he resumed, turning back to
the older woman, 1T worries Dave
to thing of your being out here lone
now that you're getting along in years,
SO he's rented nice little place IN
town and he feels sure it would be bet
ter all around if you'd just go in and
take it,
IF that amt for all the world like
Dave!-always some new idea in his
head. But you just tell him, Mr. Muir
ray, not to be bothering. We don't
want to move to town-do we, Libby?"
mot, if We can help it, she replied.
Dawes been away from the place
so long mat he don't see just how it's"
ma explained. Libby and me wouldn't
feel at home no place else.'
IT'S too bad you feel that way" he
went persuasively, 'for Dave was so
sure you'd like the idea that he's gone
ahead and made all arrangements, and
I'm afraid there might be a little trou-
BILE about unmaking them"
He turned to Libby.
How soon do you think you could
noNe: by the HTSJ Vi May
Il suppose So" she answered, in a
dull voice
April came, and for the fiftieth time
the old woman watched the white give
way to the green on the hills that
curved in and out around her old home.
AS long as she could, Libby let her
have her dream. Her heart was not
hard toward ma now. Ma had not I'M
derstood. And Libby was glad she
could have those few spring days be-
fore she was torn from the old home.
Ma she began one morning in
April, Il will have to be packing up
this week"
Packing up what?'