The Nezperce herald. (Nezperce, Idaho) 1900-1957, 1917-07-26

i therefore Nhen the pOrtui swung
vide and the hall shed stream Of
light over his form he blinked and
WINGED like an owl.
Its Joel Tykesbnry, as / liyew
cried Mrs. Spinning heartily. Nov,
this is real neighborlyl Come right
in and have a bite 10 eat. We've
just sat down to supper. Henry,
! here's Joel come to supper"
Henry" she said, addressing her
husband, "eat your supper quick
and be about what | planned. To-
night at 9 0'elock-egerybody, you
understand |" Mrs. Spinning nod
ded and frowned and smiled at her
husband.
"I'll see 10 il, Maria" he ehuc-
killed. softly. Then. addressing their
guest, he said, "When are you going
to leave Little River, Joel -
Tomorrow night" said Joel,
helping himself 70 another biscuit
"Wish you was going to stay"
said the deacon cordially. you'll
be missed, Joel
sMissedw scOlTed Mr. Tykesbury,
forgetting his diiiidence in his as
constituent. who'll miss me -
Everybody in Little River" said
the deacon quietly. There's few
here but what you've done a good
turn for some time or other. You've
forgotten 'em, suppose, but folks
haven't. They ike 20 see you
around, and II You wasn't 50 bash
ful you'd be the most popular man
in the village. not even excepting
the postmaster. Eli, Maria y
"Of course he would. Yon look
so stern, Joel. that it seems 10
some folks that you're a stony pill
lar Of the church--in deed as well
as name." Mrs. Spinning laughed
heartily. @Do you necollect my
niece, Charlotte waylands" she ask
ed as she stepped into the front
parlor and lighted the prism hung
lamp on the center table. @She
was visiting me ten years age"
Joel flushed holly. Indeed, he
did remember the pretty girl 81
whom he scarcely dared glance in
church, yet 10 whora he had irrev-
oeably lost his heart. Much Of |
the silence and loneliness Of the |
past ten years might be laid at the |
door Of his heartsickness after pref
~ Charlotte had returned to her
distant home. He heard afterward |
that she had married.
Il remember" he said family.
"She's in Little River. Come to
visit my sister. Charlotte's a widow
and as pretty a one as ! ever saw.
declare, il don't seem proper for
a widow 10 be quite so good looking |
AZ our Charlotte" Mrs. Spinning |
smiled innoccntly as she thrust
photograph into Joels hand.
That's Charlotte. She's coming
around tonight, and you'll have 10
see her home"
At that instant the bell rang
clamorouslv, and. with a slight
chucklc Of delight, Mrs. Spinning
hastened to answer il, while Joel
devoured the picture with his eyes,
now hopeful. no longer shy or diff
dent Their depths contained
new purpose. new light, a new
courage. Here was something 70
eight for and win--Charlotte Way
land that wasl
The door opened, and into the
room streamed merry crowd Of
men, women and children. All the
folks in Little River seemed gather
ed together under Deacon Spin
ning's hospitable roof. Surprise,
Joel Tykcsburyw they cried in uni
son as they crowded around him.
That was the beginning Of the
happiest evening Joel had ever
known. Before II ended he had for
ever dropped his cloak Of reserve,
and he found that his fellow towns
men met him more than halfway. A
strange new joy sang in his heart,
for the widowed Charlotte had
blushed beautifully when their eyes
met. and he had asked the pleasure
II her company home and been ac-
.epted. All at once his plans chang
d with lightning rapidity. He
Tould remain in Little River. He
xould build the house, and Char
otte-ho would win hcri He was
Had that his inheritance was still
secret.
Joel Tykesbury seems to have
'ound his tongue at last" said Miss
Fanny Pollard rather acidly. "Seems
ike he's all took up over that
lightly widow. ] guess Maria Spin
iing knew what she was talking
bout when she said he was going
o marry a widow"
Mrs. Spinning overheard the re-
mark and smiled mirthfully. 81
lidn't know a thing, Fanny. Char