Emmons County record. [volume] (Williamsport, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-current, 1922-04-13

him In the path. She opened her lips,
but no sound came-Mr. Hazelton was
lifting his hat. The flush faded, and
her eyes closed as though to shut out
some painful sight; then she bowed
her head with a proud gesture, and
sped along the way to the house.
Once inside, she threw herself, sob
bling, upon the bed. Tabitha found her
there an hour later.
"You poor dear-they've gone now"
she comforted.
Rachel raised her head.
They're going to cut down every
thing-every single thing!" she gasped.
II know It," choked Tabitha, '"and
they're going to tear out lots Of doors
inside, and build in windows and
things. Oh, Rachel-what shall we
dot"
dot Why, wen stand 1t, Of course.
We Just mustn't mind IL he turns the
house into a hotel and the yard into
IA pasture!" she said Historically.
I'VE must just think Of Ralph and Of
his being doctor. Come, let's go to
the village and see If we can rent that
tenement Of old Mrs. Goddard's."
With long sigh and a smothered
sob. Tabitha went to get her hat.
Mrs. Goddard greeted the sisters eff
fusively, and displayed her bits Of
rooms and the tiny square Of yard with
the plainly expressed wish that the
place might be their home.
The twins said little, but their eyes
were troubled. They left with the
promise to think 1t over and let Mrs.
Goddard know. ~
II didn't suppose rooms could be SO
little" whispered Tabitha, as they
closed the gate behind them.
1--WE couldn't grow as much as SUM-
flower in that yard" fa1tered Rachel.
''Well, anyhow, we could have house,
plants!" Tabitha tried to speak cheer
fully.
Indeed we could" agreed Rachel,
rising promptly to her sisters height;
"and, after all, little rooms are lots
cheaper to heat than big ones" And
there the matter ended for the time
being.
Mr.. Hazelton and the lawyer with
the necessary papers appeared few
days later. As the lawyer took of his
hat he handed letter to Miss Rachel.
/ II stepped into the Office and got
your mail" he said genially.
"Thank you," replied the lady, trying
to smile. Its from Ralph"-handing
1t over for her sister to read.
Both the ladies' were in somber
black; a ribbon or brooch seemed
out Of place to them that day. Tabitha
broke the seal Of the letter, and re-
tired to the light Of the window to
read 1t.
The papers were spread on the
table, and the pen was in Raehei's
hand when a scream from Tabitha
shattered the oppressive silence Of the
room.
"stop stop oh, stop!" she cried,
rushing to her sister and snatehing the
pen from her fingers. ave don't have
to-sse- read! pointing to the post
script written In round boyish hand.
oh. say I've got surprise for you.
You think I've been fishing and foahng
an summer. but I've hesn working for
the hotels here the whole time. I've got
I've got q chance to work for my board
all this ysar by helping Professor Heaton.
I met him here this summer. and he's the
right sort-every time. I've intended all
a1orsy to help myself q bit when 1t came
to the college racket but didn't mean
to toll you until knew could do 1t.
But It's q sure thing now.
Bye-bye. TIL be home next Saturday.
Your aft. nephew,
RALPH. =
Rachel had read this aloud, but her
voice ended in sob instead Of In the
boys name. Hazelton brushed the
back Of his hand across his eyes, and
the lawyer looked intently out the win
dow. For moment there was ST.
lence that could be felt, then Hazelton
stepped to the table and fumbled noIs-
lily with the papers.
Ladies', i withdraw my offer" he
announced. Il can't afford to buy this
house, can't possibly afford tits
too expensive" And without another
word he left the room, motioning the
lawyer to follow. u
The sisters looked into each others
eyes and drew long sobbing breath.
Rachel. 70 It true r. Y Ss
"Oh, Tabitha: Let's 60 ont under
the apple trees and LETT lust know
/ that we are there r ,3 3..,
And hand in hand they went.