Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1918-11-01


Miss Baxter to herself, as she went
into the house. There isn't a place
In the world where you're welcome
for your own sake, and you know It,"
With sunset a breeze sprang up
from the south and the air grew
cooler. How light the biscuits were,
and how sweet the honey Ready
made friends! From the west win
dow Miss Baxter could see a gray
wall. She wondered what 1t enclosed.
Perhaps she would go to the brow of
the hill and make sure.
AS she walked down the lane that
entered the churchyard, little boy
rose from the side of newly-made
grave. picked up a crutch and stood
looking at her with wide open eyes.
Miss Baxter felt vaguely uneasy.
What are you doing here?" she
asked
I've been planting a sweet briar.
She loved the smell of them in the
rain. Are you the lady that's going
to live In the house?"
I'm going to stay spell, If no one
turns me out"
"She used to tell me stories. She
said you would. VIII your"
Miss Baxter started. She had never
told story to a child in her life. Here
was another Of the ready-made friends.
Il don't know" she said, Perhaps 80.
Come over tomorrow and wen talk
It over"
Summer passed into autumn, the au
tumn brought winter In its train, the
air grew sweet with the promise of
spring and still Miss Baxter dwelt I'M
molested in the house by the cross
roads. OF the mystery of that life
and death 80 strangely linked with
hers, she understood but little. The
village folks soon learned that she
would neither listen to nor speak Of 1t.
Their testimony that the place had
never looked so well, and the money.
steadily growing in the minister's
care, served as balm when her con
science stirred uneasily.
One evening in the long twilight
Miss Baxter climbed the hill to the
churchyard to see II the flowers were
sprouting on the grave she had grown
to look upon as hers. AS she rose
from handling the moist earth, wo
man stood leaning on a neighboring
stone, watching her. Miss Baxter took
step backward; a stalk of sweet
briar broke and fell to the ground
Strangers seldom visited Prattville
and the cemetery was a mile and a
half from the village The newcomer
wore bright plaid waist and neat
hat, but her shoes and skirt were
soiled with mud, and she chung to the
stone as II exhausted
Are you related to herr" asked
Miss Baxter. pointing to the mound at
her feet.
I'm Fannie" answered the stranger
with touch of defiance. came back
to see about the property. don't
suppose she left any for me, and
don't need 1t, but came back to see.
Did she leave any messages for mel"
Yes, she left messages, and the
house, and friends, ready made friends.
My name is Frances Baxter; I've
OOCh httplhb Nhihbb AOl gOus WHICH
did you GOMEZ"
To-day, on the afternoon train. and
walked around by the back road.
No one saw me. When | got to the
crossroads you came out of the house
and followed you here. Did she say
anything about forgiving me?"
Then 1t was that a great purpose
and desire filled Miss Bakers soul
If she could comfort and care for this
weary sister, II she could see her
through to the end of her brief earth.
ly journey, then in very truth, she
could claim as partly hers that life
that was sleeping just over the brow
OF the hill.
Suppose you stay with me a spell
and sort OF visit We can say you're
my cousin, and both of us belonging
to her that's lying yonder makes us
some related, reckon. You'd like II
here. It's pretty, slightly place, and
summers coming on. I'm lonely soul
here and you're a lonely soul In the
city. We'd kind Of be a blessing to
each other. and be living more the
way folks was intended to live"
I've been pining for the old place
for ten years but ] hadn't the courage
to come back, and now it's too late.
Many's the time I've got as far as the
station to take the train. You don't
know what you're asking l amt very
strong nor very cheerful Some
times have the horrors Nobody
in Prattville would take me In"
Fannie's hat had fallen to the floor.
and the lamplight, streaming over her
bowed head seemed to glorify 1t In a
kindly halo Of repentance. Miss Bax
ter bent forward. and gently, with her
lips, touched the faded brown hair
You amt looking at 1t right" she
said softly IT'S you thatIl be TAX
ing me in. I've lived In your house
and used your things. and enjoyed
your friends. never had any friends
before and it's made a different wo
man of me. Don't you see you'd be
giving q chance to pay back Just a
little of all I'm owing you and all I'm
owing herr Just think how It would
please her II you'd stay. She said
you'd live in the house, and holy PEG
pie at their death have visions. Those
were the minister's words. Can't you
see your way clear to stay with me
Cousin Fannie?"
The bowed head slowly lifted and
the lamplight poured its plying rays
on the flushed cheeks and sunken
eyes.
81 guess you are right 1t would
please Rosamond I'll stay a spell
Cousin Frances"
Copyright, 1912, by the Mcclure News
paper Syndicate)