Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1917-10-31
PEA RIDGE AFFAIR
BY M. M. WILLIAMS.

ton they can d." Sister 10 Brown
said to her gossip, Sister Willy.
There were seven Sisters Brown in
Pea Ridge church, differentiated ac-
cOrding to husbands past or present.
Sister 10 was a widow, with an only
and beloved son, by way of make
weight to houseful of daughters.
Half the girls had married, the others
had embraced the policy of watchful
waiting.
Octavius, son and brother, was SEN
sitive over their methods-so much so
that he fought shy of asking men
friends to the house. He was indeed
shy over most things-the reverse,
quite, of his masterful mother who
felt herself able at the slightest notice
to second the plans and expound the
purposes of anything from the state
legislature to divine Providence.
Hence with her wisdom admitted at
fault, the case must be desperate. In
deed, it looked so to Mrs. Ware and
Leda, her daughter. Rather helpless,
both of them-because Aunt Susan
had always taken care of them. Now
she was dead and the bank had failed
so there was only their place to de-
pend on. It was small place, with a
good house, to be sure, but only gar
den, a paddock, bit of orchard and
few acres in grass. It would hardly
yield living to an Industrious farmer
able to work it early and late. What
could 1t prove but an expense greater
than rent to a couple Of women who
had neither strength nor knowledge?
Oddly, nobody thought of matrimony
as an ark Of refuge, Notwithstanding
Leda was pretty and amiable.
Leda was properly penitent. Both
lessness, and sat at home through
Christmas and New Year trying not
to be hurt by the unusual largesse of
their neighbors.
1--WE are not starving-yet." Leda
said, choking, as she put away the
third batch OF pies they had received
in one morning, besides the loaf of
gingerbread, and the wedges of plum
cake. "Only / hope they will spare
us broken bits of food nanny. It's
all wrong-not being grateful-but
somehow I wish they had at least
waited"
''DOn't fret, daughter. Our turn will
come" Mrs. Ware said, but with a
sinking heart for all her brave words.
To comfort herself she went out and
lifted the sash of the smallest pit. 1t
was sacred to early bulbs-ionquils,
hyacinths, narcissus She forgot her
troubles instantly in her joy at finding
at least dozen unexpectedly in flower
-jonquils and Roman hyacinths. Ex-
citedly she shipped each blossom, ran
inside, laying them delicately together,
and calling, lie! lie! Come take
these to Miss Allen! Don't let her
think it's to pay her for her mince-
meat-it isn't--she sent it just as we
would have done. being as poor her
self. But she has to stay so close at
homeland loves flowers. Make haste,
child. And hurry back. I want you
to help me lift the heavier SASH"
Miss Allen was the dressmaker.
,Leda, hearing Miss Allen was busy,
did not see her. but sent in her gift by
the errand girl. Indeed she was busy
upon her knees, shipping and pin
ming and squirting at a very fine frock,
draping a very fine lady-Mrs. Carr,
of the Glen, who had ordered the frock
from the city, and upon getting it had
changed her mind as to how she want
ed it trimmed in parts.
"Flowers this time Of the year!
You're extravaganza Miss Allen" she
said with certain gOod-natured hau-
teur upon seeing the cluster When
their source was explained, she looked
thoughtful. II wonder-cOuld l get
some for my table? You know We
have a dinner party Saturday" she
said. "Those I order are always so
fragile-they wither while you look
at Them"
"rll find out" said Miss Allen.
She did. And thus began the rift
in the cloud for the Wares. They had
enough to live on year, by very close
pinching. By the end of it they had
violet frames full Of flowers, pitfuls OF
early bulbs, and roses ablOw IN the
green house. Mrs. Carr was interest
ed in them, holding them her discov-
cry, therefore her protegees. AS such
she took it upon herself to make a
match betwixt Leda and Octavius.
Mrs. Carr had a house party at the
New-Year holidays. Therefore she
took all the flowers the Wares could
cut, and asked further that Leda
should come up and arrange them
about the rooms, when a gay voice
sounded at her elbow, mo fair Miss
Leda," said Lnly Carr nephew Of the
house and heir presumptive. whats
this 1 hear-that you're going to take
Ocky Brown? l don't believe it! l
won't! Tell me it isn't SOL"
'.It is not-Ocky can run much fast
err than IT, Leda said suddenly, DIM
ping. Linly had come near to being
her sweetheart back in the happy
days. He-ben near and nearer, look
ing into her eyes, down at her roughed
fingers, her little, coarsely shod feet,
and said with Il laugh. of triumph:
"Would it have to be capture? Poor
little thing! Do you remember-you
could Outrun me?'
"Perfectly," Leda said.
'Then don't you ever try it," Linly
ordered. I'm going home with you