The Detroit times., 1916-07-11
TheEpening Story
ANN ELIZA.
Copyright. isic. BY W. Werner

1
There was q muffled cracking
from the steep slope. . swift whirr
toward them, ending In a soft pur>
ring in front OF the house. Ann
Eliza looked self-conscious, though
she managed 10 keep her pretty fsa-
lures in commendsble repose. NOT
so with Uncle EIbon. His eyes al
ways glared. Now they biased. He
fung himself from the table ana
strobe toward the door. There he
paused. considered. and came back.
Prudential considerations were
stronger with Uncle Eloon than
wrath.
Now you look here, Ann Eliza.
he rasped, don't you dare 10 leave
this house today. A woman's place
is AZ home with her cookin' and
things YOU
"Griddle cakes are getting cold,
uncle. interposed Ann Eliza. You
didn't haish.".
Il did too" tartly You sp He'd II
for me. Nobody could eat satisfyin'
with an migrate in the house. That
fellows come 10 see you.
lid he tell you so?"
i've got eyes and ears. You're
done more gigglin' an tra-la lain
an smilin' TO yourself in the last
month nan in all your life before.
Minds me OF a sick calf bleatin'.
Now you can boiler out 10 your Des-
mond Allen an tell him 10 take him
self an his buzz wagon OF my Ian
an never come back any more
Them's my orders.
Ann Eliza rose quietly from the
table and crossed 10 'the window.
which she threy Up. Hello, Des-
mond'" she called. Getting impa-
TENT"
mo, indeed came over early.
thinking we'd go round by the river
road. IN be four or five miles
longer. but a lot pleasanter and
smoother running. But there's plen.
" OF time. | noticed through the
window that you were eating supper.
so didn't come in. Just take your
time in finishing"
Were finished now and I'm all
ready except my hat and a wrap.
won't wash any dishes till ! come
back-just set the victuals away and
rid up the table some. 'Twon't take
but few minutes"
"All right Take your own time
There's plenty OF IT,"
Ann Eliza closed the window and
came back There was little smile
on her lips. Uncle Ezben regarded
her with angry stupefaction. You're
goin'-with him. he snarled.
That's why you've got on that pref
ty dress bought you last year.
was meanin' 10 order II off fore you
set 10 washin' dishes"
Eyes. that's why have the dress
or. promised Desmond to go with
him TO an entertainment at Peters
Mill. But you're mistaken about the
dress. Uncle Ezben. bought II with
money | earned myself. doing fancy
work"
Same thing. Your time was
mine"
But Ann Eliza was hurrying from
table 10 kitchen. placing the few
dishes OF food upon shelves she had
put up herself. There were not many
dishes. Uncle Ezbon was not unduly
wasteful in his living. The food put
away. she began carrying the dishes
10 the cheap wooden sink. AS she
worked she hummed softly to her
self She seemed Indifferent TO her
uncle's presence as we'll as TO his
words
He watched her for some moments
with narrowed eyes. his mouth open
ing and closing.
Ann Eliza had been undergoing q
marvellous change In the last month.
Most OF her life she had been an abb
ject slave at her Uncle Ezbon's. over
worked. underfed and poorly clothed.
going about in deprecating way
and with added fear In her eyes
whenever he drew near. But In the
past month the pale. tremulous beau.
~ OF her girlhood had been changing
Ike the June rosebud in It's opening.
There was a delicate color In her
cheeks; her eyes were luminous;
her lips. instead OF being tremulous.
were half parted as though with
happy thoughts. often they were the
outlet OF the thoughts. She looked
her uncle straight In the face now.
without fear. That was the most
amazing Of all
He followed her into the Kitchen
with her last dishes from the table.
mo more scratchln' round the
bushes" he said. Times come for
action. whatever money your pa
left was for me TO deal out a. |
thought 1T. 'cordin' az you behaved.
You'll stay a beggar II ! say so. Now
go an tell Allen what I ordered"
"You could do II better. uncle. be
ing a man." she answered. You
wouldn't feel so like 'scratchin
round the bushes What II you DO
have 20 drive the cattle across a bit
Of his land to reach water. and what