Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1916-12-28

In its place, after which she tied on
her veil aud went back 10 Mary
AIMS.
Presently John Anderson came In to
his lonely supper, stamping the wet
snow from his boots, his head down as
usual, but the warmth and glow
struck his dulled senses, and he looked
up in dazed wonder. "Mlrandy!" he
gasped. The clock licked loud through
the silent house; the golden sides of
the copper kettle winked in the Are
light and kept up q contented singing
to itself. The truth dawned on him
slowly. She had been there and gone.
he crawled over to his accustomed
chair that Granny usually monopo-
liked. Mirandy's stood opposite with
a fresh red-striped towel on the back.
He leaned his head against the wall,
and brushed with his grizzled cheek
the crisp folds Of 3 pink calico dress.
Then he broke down and sobbed out
all the misery OF six unhappy weeks.
Two days later, and the day before
New Years, he drove up to Mary
AIMS gate in a new cutter. He did
not get down, but waited for Mirandy
to come out.
"Mirandy," he said. the settle
ments are made ready for you to
sign.
Yes" she answered, but you'u
have to take me as l am. Mary AM
got that money. She needed 1t wors.
than l did wedding clothes" HI
meekiy assented.
Going back to the house she oh
served:
MARY Ann, me and your father are
going to town, and l reckon as tomor
row is New Years you and Jake and
the children had better pile into the
bobsled and come over to dinner. ]
guess you'll hear some good news"
These two undemonstrative women
kissed each other and Mirandy wen.
away without telling anything more
AT II o'clock the next morning Mary
Ann INT the children appeared at the
big farmhouse. The women busted
themselves in the kitchen and ex-
changed condolences.
II never saw such q house in all my
born days. l had to get new milk
crooks yesterday. Granny Simpson
spoiled all the old ones a-letting milk
soul in them. And the table knives
are ruined by rust. Your father said
that, as we had to get new ones, we
might as well have them silver
plated. The others were lots of trou-
bic to keep bright. Amt they pretty ~
Mary Ann looked sympathetic and
admired the silver. Il reckon We'll
have to trade peaches and cherries,
since you didn't get TO preserve any
clingStones."
"Thanl yeu. We got pretty tired of
peaches last year, but IL you want the
cherries, all right. | reckon your faith
accounted for John Anderson's cheer
t%ulness. When they sat down to the
table the host bowed his head and
prayed: For these and ell other bless
ings the Lord make us truly thank
full
He looked around upon the little
family and said in a gently, explana-
tory way: And the other blessings
are that I've got some dear children
and a dear woman, who don't stick at
anything to show me how mean I've
been. Amen"
Mary Ann was bewildered. Miriam.
dy wns blushing brighter than her
| ninE 1rpuu Inf oha rr,opoDaH fn cnu.
Me and your father have been get.
ting married. and he's got something
for you and Jake"
John Anderson handed some papers
to Jake. who was slow about some
things, and Mary Ann, leaning over
his shoulder, could make out nothing
for the blur before her eyes. At las,
Jake sprang to his feet ana waved tbs
papers over his head.
Mary Ann" he cried excitedly, "it'a
q deed for the forty acres, with stock
and $1,000 for machinery and stock
sheds. Its given to us for good and all
by-why-it's from Mirandy. I don,
understand"
Yes. it's from Mirandy," said bis
fa~ther-ln-law. "Them's her settle.
ments, for her and the children, and
the lowed that meant Mary Ann
He smiled benevolently and proceeded
to help the children to drumsticks and
gravy. There Is NJ knowing what e K
plantations might have followed, but
the wonen were busy with the chill
dren. and after dinner Jake and his
father-in-law talked about 4 hired
hand. who must be secured to take
Jake's place, o that he had a farm
Of his own to manage. AS they were
going home in the evening the chill.
dren in the new cutter with grandpa,
Jake said: Mary Ann, what's settle
mentsT'
Mary Ann shook her head. Il never
heard Of them before, but Mirandy
knows, and she's learned father. II
went kind o. hard with him, but hs
seems relieved like, now it's over, and
thankful. We've al got reason to b
thankful for Mirandy."