Crittenden record-press. [volume] (Marion, Ky.) 1909-191?, 1916-01-27

called Nellie 5 voice over the banister
Eyes, dear, III be there in a min
ute" She deity balanced an apple pie
on top Of the whole and arranged thu
cover 80 that it should not be crushed
She set the basket aside, removed hei
Kitchen apron and hung it on its accus.
toned nail. Just as she was starting
for the stairway the outer door opened
and the form Of her husband appeared
on the threshold, She stared at him in
startled surprise that changed to dis.
may when he unceremoniously dumped
an armful Of dirty grain sacks into the
middle of the floor. Z She knew what
those meant. -. : :,,... .,S;5. !. !.
"Why, John, she managed to gasp,
81 thought you were to help Mr.. Black
today"
MADE other arrangements" was
the laconic reply.
but, she protested timidly, driven
to unwonted holiness, cant those
wait till another day? IL promised
to 90 with Nellie to the picnic today"
Picnic" 1t was John Agnew's turn
to stare. What picnic?"
"The Sunday school picnic. She'll
be so disappointed"
"Picnic be hanged! Can't you find
enough to 90 without gallivantin off to
picnics right in the busiest time? |
want TO take load of wheat to town
this afternoon and I've got to have
those sacks by one o'clock. By the
way" he flung over his shoulder, as he
started for the door, "there'll be three
extra men t. dinner today"
The door shut with a bang and Mrs.
Agnew was left staring at the heap of
unsightly sacks. A wave Of hot REBEL
ion surged through her whole being.
"lf It were not a common occur
ance," she cried out in the bitterness
of her heart, but 1t has always been
So" For an instance she entertained
a wild idea Of running away-some-
where anywhere-if only she might
free herself from the endless drudgery.
There her habit Of submission, reas-
sorting itself, she stepped over to the
wall and took down her discarded
apron.
As she re-arranged herself in the
Of her servitude the scald-
ing tears rolled unrestrained down her
faded cheeks. The pent up misery Of
years seemed determined to give ex.
preston TO itself at last. But at the
sound Of her daughters footsteps on
the stairs she strove frantically to re-
gain control Of herself.
Mother Mother! Aren't you com
ing?" A vision Of pink and white low
illness fairly flew into the room, but
the girl stopped short at the sight Of
her mother.
"Why- why mumsie dearl What in
the world is the matter?" Nellie gasp
ed in frightened establishment. She
had never before seen her mother cry.
Mrs. Agnew smiled through her
tears and essayed to answer lightly,
Nothing. child, I'm an old silly. that's
all. Don't bother your head about 1t
deary. How sweet you look! My! how
proud ! am Of my big girl"
Nellie still looked troubled, but her
thoughts were taken up by the picnic,
so she persisted. Aren't you coming
to dress, mother? ! am afraid we
shall be late"
Il don't believe can go this time,
after all, Nellie. | find | have some
work that must be done"
Not go! Why mama, you promised,
and ! don't see what is to hinder. |
oh" The little exclamation escaped
her as her eyes fell upon the sacks.
Mother! Yoa don't where:
father? ! thought he was gone fol-
the day."
80 did !. but il seems he changed
plans. He wants to take a load o.
wheat to market this afternoon an,
needs the sacks"
"Well," exploded Nellie. IF tina
isn't just like daddy Did you ever II
your life plan to do something pleasan
that he didn't come along and opoi
liz"
The mother started guilty. 1t wa
such a vetticle echo OF the thought
at that surging through her own re
bellious heart, She made no answer
however, but silently reached for
chair preparatory to seating herself a
her disagreeable task. In a twinklini
a tall form interposed itself betwee
her and the chair and she gazed into
pair Of determined eyes, as masterfu
as John Agnew's ever dared to be.
See here, mother 0'mine It's tim
that father Of ours learned that 20
and have some rights he is bound t
respect