Polk County news. [volume] (Benton, Tenn.) 191?-1983, 1918-09-19

ann0y Ger. but he had heard from
Noses that she had plenty. md. OWING
70 the coal shortage, he was actually
suffering from the cod A he Epoke
Hsruine led hs@ - he cOrnef q ths
living rOAn Deare 70 the cracking
embers on the hena1h. The only chair
available for him EaS the comfortable
one the good nelghbor had found 20
inviting. The Ore was unusually In
viting. and the rows Of Temple lilies
that bIoOmed on q stand near q sunny
window ct one side OF the room gave
q suggestion Of warmth and cheer that
eaptivated the neIghb0r. He Fose "a
20, and then resumed his SEAT Eheo
Hermlne went to the kitchen doOr and
called to Rachel 20 ask her whether
she could spare q little wood At the
door she whispered: Hurry In with
4 pot Of chocolate and nice buttered
toast. Look surprised when you see
Mr.. Gray, and make a move to take
the chocolate away. Hurry, Rachel"
Hermlne walked slowly back 70 the
fireplace. NY woman Is looking 20
see whether we have any wood
chopped," she was saying, snd then the
old woman entered with the tray. She
started at the sight OF the caller and
pretended to return to the kitchen.
that's all right. Rachel; you may
bring 1t in," said HermIne. And then.
turning to Mr.. Gray, she went on:
~You see, I usually have chocolate at
this time on cold mornings. Rachel.
another cup please. OIL please, Mr..
Gray. let me give you q nttle-lt is
so warming.
A half hour later, when the caller
rose TO go for the third time. he asked
Hermine whether he might send Moses
over at once with q basket for little
wood; they actually had no fuel to
cook dinner. Hermlne looked puzzled.
She said the wood was In a shed at
the end Of the garden, and that the
man who came to carry the wood had
the key. She was sorry, and then
wont you share my own very simple
dinnerf / believe Rachel Is roasting a
chicken. 1t is beefiess day. you know.
and Rachel is very patriotic. She has
made crullers-I can't offer you very
much. Please stay, and Rachel will
call to your man Moses to have him
get bite with her in the kitchen"
Mr.. Gray accepted the invitation.
though as he did SO something that he
mistook for his conscience pricked
him. He felt that ne was breaking
down a barrier that It had taken him
ten years to build up.
At six that afternoon Mr.. Gray still
fingered. He was playing cribbage
with his spinster neighbor before the
fire, with the tight q skilfuliy ar.
ranged bracket-lamp that threw just
the right shadows on the board and .
mellow, becoming glow on Hermine's
face. in the kitchen Rachel was max
ing savory coffee. A pan Of Johnny
cake was brOwning beautifully in the
oven, and O broileF of bacon was spit
ting on the fire. Rachel was laughing
to herself-or rather to old Moses, who
sat watching In admiration, with @
growing appetite. at one side Of the
stove.
Hermine did not even ask her neigh
Dor tor stay to t@-it seemed to be
pnch q matter Of course for him 20 re-
main there 10 the glow Of her ffP&
ratheFqthan to go homo to his OWE
abode to feed upon cold meat
and damp, chilled bread.
b When Rachel had cleared away the
things Mr.. Gray drew hts chair closer
10 that Of Herfnine. "You're wonder
tul woman, Hermine," he sold. y
made up nay mind once that you were
cold; but you've been thawing out my
heart today-my heart and incident.
ally my fingers. know II - only
charity on your part. You are doing
It In the same spirit that you had tbs
factory girls here last night The
worst part OF going home. isn't the fact
that It Is as cold as barn-it's be
cause I'll have to leave you"
Hermine's expression showed conn |
plete amazement. She told Mr.. Gray
that never In the world had she Inn
agined that he might want to marry
fact was TINT Mr.. Gray Ind
not expressed his sentiment In just
hose words-but she did hate to have
him 90 bone In the cold. Her guest
room was very warm: Rachel kept
IRE there. She wondered whether II
night not be arranged for him to stay.
And that IL how II happened that
bout eight O'clock that night Denslow
fray and Hermine Whipple reused the
minister from where he huddied by
It's own meager CRATE fire. We've,
,een intending to be married for some
,ears," Denslow explained, "and now
We want to spring surprise on the
leighbors. Yes, 1t Is rather cold" he
"but an old bachelor doesn't
AVE time to. think Of the temperature
70 his wedding day."