The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1916-12-28

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In its place, after which she tied on
her veil aud went back to 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. "Mirandyw he
gasped. The clock licked loud through
the silent house; the golden sides of
b copper kettle winked In the fire.
light and kept up a contented singing
to Itself. The truth dawned on him
Slowly. She had been there and gone.
he crawled over to his accustomed
cnair that Granny usually monopo-
lized. 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 a pink calico dress.
Then he broke down and sobbed out
ali d misery Of six unhappy weeks.
Two days later, and the day before
New Years, he drove up to Mary
AIMS gate in q new cutter. He did
moi 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 your
have to take me as l am. Mary Anl
got that money. She needed it wors.
than | did wedding Clothes" HI
meekly assented.
Going back to the house she OBJ
served:
MARY Ann, me and your father are
going to town, and / reckon aa tomor.
row Is New Years you and Jake and
the children had better pile into the
bobsled and come oyer to dinner. l
guess you'n hear some good news"
These tive undemonstratiye women
kissed each other and Mirandy went
away without telling anything more.
At II o'clock the next morning Mary
Ann and the children appeared at the
big farmhouse. The women busted
themselves in the kitchen and ex-
changed condolences.
Il never saw such a house in all my
born days. l had to get new milk
crooks yesterday. Granny Simpson
spoiled all the old ones a-letting milk
sour 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-
BILE to keep bright. Amt they pretty?"
Mary Ann looked sympathetic and
admired the silver. II reckon we'll
have to trade peaches and cherries,
since you didn't get to preserve any
clingstones."
"Thank yoI. We got pretty tired Of
peaches last year, but if you want the
cherries, all right l reckon your faith
accounted for John Andersen's cheer
fulness. When they sat down to the
table the host bowed his head and
prayed: For these and all other bless
ings the Lord make us truly thank
full
He looked around upon the little
family and said in Il gently, explana-
tory way: and the other blessings
are that I've got some lear children
and a dear oma who don't stick mt
anything to show me how mean I've
been. Amen"
Mary Ann was bewildered. Miriam
dy was blushing brighter than her
pink dress, but she managed to say:
Me and your father have been get
ting married, and he's got something
for you and Jake"
John Anderson banded 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 last
Jake sprang to his feet and waved tbs
papers owe his head.
Mary Ann" he cried excitedly, st.
a 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. don't
understand"
eyes. it's from Mirandy," said his
father-in-law. 'Them's her settle.
ments, for her and the children, and
she lowed that meant Mary Ann"
He smiled benevolently and proceeded
to help the children to drumsticks and
gravy. There Is no knowing what ex.
plantations might have followed, but
the women were busy with the chill.
dren, and after dinner jake and his
father-in-law talked about a hired
hand. who must be secured to take
Jake's place, now that he had a farm
OF his W 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
ments?"
Mary Ann shook her head. 81 never
heard of them before, but Mirandy
knows, and she's learned father. 1t
went kind O. hard with him, but he
relieved like. now it's over and
thankful. We've all got reason to be
IN ~ Efpa1 far Mira r1vp