The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1916-02-10

"No; Fanny Lees going to take
care of it,
Miss Melissa's dark eyes glarec
fercely at her niece. "Go along, do
I amt got no patience with you al
allw And she covered beneath he1
coverlids with little grunts of dis
pleasure.
Four days afterward Jonas saiht
away on the Blue Heron. The Wid
ow Lee faunted the gray goose as 6
betrothal gift, and Queen of Shebs
was generally regarded as the tan
gible bond that united two bving
separated hearts. As the months
wore on and no news came from
Jonas there was a strained hook II
Fanny's eyes and occasionally IN the
woodshed the gray goose received
the castigations she so richly deserv'
ed after her predatory descents
upon the grass grown lawn.
1t was q long year. Aunt Melissa
died in the summer and left Susan
richer by several Thousand dollars
but poorer by one friend less. Su.
san planned when Jonas came back
she would 60 away and leave the
home to him and his waiting bride
and Queen of Sheba.
One cold winter night Fanny Lee
brought the gray goose to Susan'i
door. Her eyes were red, and she
wore a black dress and a black vel
on her hat.
'T can't bear to see the crittel
around" she sobbed bitterly. I'll
reminds me SO of Jonas and hin
drownded at seal"
"Drownded~ asked Susan in 6
strange voice.
"1 forgot you didn't know. Oh
course they told me first. It was of
the coast of Brazil. He fell over.
board and was droynded, and Cap
tain Rink he sent word to the telly'
graph station, and of course they
told me. You'll keep Queen o
Sheba, won't you?"
Susan stared fercely at the Ions
neck and yellow bill wriggling out
of the widows black shawl.
"1'u take care of her." said Su'
san icily. 'Put her in the she'd"
you'll be good to her-for his
sake" snified Fanny Lee, turning
to 60.
''I'n be good to her." repeated
Susan, with a strange smile as she
closed the door.
One day week later Susan was
eating her dinner in lonely contem.
plation of the great goose that
crowned the feast. Her face wore
the look of one who has overcome
IN enemy, but her triumph was
marred by lack Of appetite and q
huttering pain at her heart.
The kitchen door opened noisily
and familiar feet tramped across the
floor.
"Susan Tipping, I've wanted tc
see you for a hull yearp and to Su,
sans CONSERVATION pair of arms
encircled her and she was kissed by
no other than Jonas Wilton himself
II wasn't drownded. 1t was John
Wilson, the cook!'
In her JOY Susan nearly kissed
Jonas in return, but a sudden rec,
ollection assailed her, and she push.
ed him away and arose to her feet
what about Fanny Lee and Queen
O. Sheba? She's took good care Of
the goose for you," she said quietly
"I got a silk shawl for Fanny
Lee" said Jonas, ''that'll pay heI
for her trouble. As for the goose
there amt nothing happened to he1
YETI" His voice almost quiVered
with suspense.
"There she is! Something has
happened to her. / was 500
wrought up when heard you was
drownded I just took spite on he1
and killed her. but now somehow
can't eat her. | was awful mean tc
kill a pet goose" Susan stood aloof
pale and defiant.
'Pet nothing comfortcd Jonas
with his arms about her once more
II got dreadful tired Of being tar.
ged around by that goose. 1t made
a sight of talk and it kept us apart
so l jest made up my mind I'd run
away for wear and maybe some,
thing would happen to Queen .
Sheba. And something did. Don,
it smell good? My, but I'm hun,
gry!"
"But why-why didn't you say
you was willing to get rid of he1
instead Of
Susan caught a CLEAN of embar-
r,,en,on+ ~ Nv W;lton's affection.