The Happy End

nk-Hannah and Susan, the eldest of the children, prematurely aged and wasted by a perpetual cough, while Lucy Braley moved carelessly betwee

Whenever he could afford it Hannah must have help in the house. No greater elegance was imaginable. Senator Alderwith, at his dwelling with its broad porch, had two se

terment and success. To all this the sheer fact of Hannah was like the haunting refrain of a song. She was never really out of his planning. He might be sitting on his rooftree squaring the shingling; bargaining with Eli Goss, the

ople who had known her in her youth asserted that it was so. Phebe too, they said, was the same-Phebe who had left Greenstream nine years ago, when she was seventeen

Phebe's beauty and talent was a part of the Braley household. Mrs. Braley told it as a distinguished trait that Phebe would never set her hand in hot dishwat

the family congregated with complete normality in the kitchen. The parlor was an uncomfortable chamber with uncomfortable elaborate chairs in orange p

ional; Calvin's arm was cramped from its unusual position, he had to brace his feet to keep firm on the slippery plush, but he was dazed with delight. His heart throbs were evident in his wrists and throat, while a tenderness of pity actually wet his eyes. At times he spoke in a hushed voice, phrases

elieve you're interested in the things for the kitchen or

hy shouldn't I be when it's my own

ttle herded over the mountain to the railroad; wait till you see a s

of a horse outside, an

too, because he said he'd have to stay at the hotel

r, a man in the vicinity of thirty, fat in body and careful

helped. Here's a piece of news for all of you-Phebe is coming home to visit She wrote

instant vague depression settled over him; Hannah, only the minute before in his arms, seemed to draw away from him, remote and un

on his information had wrought in the kitchen; "and it's certain I can't

r, was bound to a day's work on the

offered; "I'll have to

alized. He lingered, gazing with silent longing at Hannah, but it