The Leavenworth echo. [volume] (Leavenworth, Wash.) 1904-current, 1921-05-20
GOLDEN WEDDING
BY ELIZABETH r. GREENE.

Nancy lobheu UP ITVln HeI pu'nihk
long enough to note her mothers sun
bonneted head disappearing through
the doorway.
Without answering Mother Mitchell
walked out into the September sun
shine to join her husband. Her dazed
mind could not comprehend how II
had all come about. but two facts
she understood with torturing clear
ness-Eben was going to Johns ana
she was going to Nancy's; the old
home was being broken up.
Eben spoke presently: You'll be
warm an comf'table there t Nancy's,
mothcr-thank God. l shan't have t
worry over that. An Nancyll have tn
specialist for your eyes-she promised
me that"
The woman stirred restlessly.
81 don't need no specialist" she as
serted stoutly. AN, father, whatll
you do when YOU have them cramps In
tn night? John won't understand
en-"
lie smiled at her bravely.
"Now, what do you think I'd be TAX
in them cramps along with me for?"
he demanded humorously. "Tm leav-
in em t home, where they b'lOng-"
1t was an unlucky speech. She
turned toward him with stif1ed cry.
'Where we b'long, too" she sobbed,
the fioodgates of her pent-up sorrow
flung wide. "They've no right t sep
arate us; it's wicked Oh, Eben, let's
not go--let's not go.'
"There, there. mother" he soothed.
we en- get along all right, Eben,"
she said eagerly. 9TH hens amt gone
yet an they're laying good. There's
wood enough t. last quite spell an
"No, no, dear heart" he interrupt
ed huskily. 81 could never forgive my
self if l let you suffer needlessly. l
oughter had enough saved t tide us
along now" he reproached himself bit
terly, "but somehow l never had TIL
knacll o keepin' much ahead"
"It's because you've been so good t
everybody" she flashed, that we amt
nothn' now!
when John wanted t go t college
you sold the wood lot an sent him.
stead o lettin' him work his way"
"'Twould he hard on tn hoy. Com
fort responded the old man gently.
She went on as if she had not heard.
her toil-Worn hands clasped in her lap.
after John got settled in biz'ness
an it looked s if we might get little
help from him now an then, he got
married; an that was TIL end o that"
Yes; but ''taint good for man t
live alone" quoted Eben smilingly,
trying to draw her from the strange
mood she was in.
"Then Nancy took SICK" she con-
tinued YEARLY, IAN it took all our
rainy day savin's t pay for her oper-
ation--''
Trying to comfort her with hand
and voice, he was too distressed to see
that his daughter was speeding up the
path toward the house, in back of the
oak.
White and sobbing, Nancy reached
the house. She had gone to the field
to ask her mother if they hadn't better
sell the clock with the rest of the
things tomorrow. Approaching the oak
unseen, beneath which her parents
sat, she heard the conversation which
saved her from many bitter regrets
later.
An eager, broken talk through the
fpIpnhnnn hn ,,Jn In,
motion; then Nancy, chastened
awakened Nancy. went about many
mysterious errands In the little vii
lage.
Returning home finally, her mother
met her anxiOusly.
what time t'morrer you havin' tn
auction. Nancy?"
"John won't he here till tomorrow
night" answered her daughter lightly.
well settle everything Saturday"
Saturday! Their golden wedding
day! In silent anguish mother left
the room.
Never had the sunlight streamed so
brightly into the old home as on that
Saturday morning, never had Nancy
sung so ioyously, or John whistled so
merrily. The gay sounds cOmmIngIed
with savory odors floated up the stair.
way to the room where Father and
Mother Mitchell still fingered.
Then suddenly Nancy's voice called
from the hall.
Yes, we're comm, Nancy" an.
swered her mother TREMENDOUSLY.
Hand in hand the two old lovers
went downstairs together each vow.
ing for the others sake to he brave
that day.
But what was this?
Father and Mother Mitchell stared
Overwhelmingly ut the table spread with
snowy cloth, the blue willow-warc and
steaming breakfast. whose browning
glory was bowl of 80 yellow roses.
"A happy golden wedding day.
chorused John and Nancy, leading
them to the table where two piles of
nifty shining dollars dazzlingly reflect.
ed the sunlight in two blue plates.
children, what does this mean p,
faltered Mother Mitchell.
ut means that there's n hundred
more coming every month";" said John
his hand on his fathers shoulder.
Nan and / have decided we dom,
want the old home broken nm. Il,