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Show ri'rrri'i'ri'n'rrrn'ri'i'n'rrn-n-rrri Mrs, Hanson's Presentment By EMMA SANDERSON (Cosrrigbt, 1911, by Associated Literary Prew.i "What makes you bake so much at once?" asked James Hanson of his wife as she stood looking meditatively meditative-ly at the array of pies, cookies and crullers which gave testimony of her morning's work. It was some little time before Mrs. Hanson answered; she seemed to be Donsiderlng whether she would say what was in her mind. "You will need them all during the next few days, James," she announced an-nounced finally. "For I am going hence tonight." "Going hence!" Mr. Hanson repeated. repeat-ed. "What In the world do you mean by that?" "Just what I say, James," Mrs. Hanson Han-son replied with convincing finality. "I know that tonight would be my last one so I have things all ready to leave. There won't be any too much on hand with all the relatives coming. com-ing. You know what an appetite Henry Benedict always has." "Mary!" said Mr. Hanson, coming nearer to his wife and looking critically criti-cally at her, "do you feel cold or In a chili?" "No. not a bit," the answer came calmly. "Hot then?" "No. not hot either. I feel remarkably remark-ably well considering what is before me tonight. I have the bedrooms ready, too." she added, with satisfaction. satisfac-tion. "I have made up a bed in the east room; I thought it would do well enough for Henry." "Mary, Mary! What ails you?" broke in Mr. Hanson, now thoroughly thorough-ly aroused to the awfulness of the occasion and with a long lost look of tenderness creeping over his grim face. "Do you mean to say that you really believe that you are going to to die tonight?" "Certainly," responded Mrs. Hanson, Han-son, "I know It." "Come, Mary, now, and sit quietly while I go after Dr. Jones; he'll reason rea-son you out of this and tell you what a wrong idea you have in your "'''wjf "What make J you hake jo much at once? ' mind." Mr. Hanson made himself ready In haste, noticing meanwhile the air of preparation that the whole house presented. Upstairs on the best dresser stood a huge bouquet of sweet peas of Mary's own raising" which breathed out a welcoming fragrance. fra-grance. The entire effect sent his heart to his throat and he hastened out with anxiety on his face. He was gone only a few minutes, however. "The doctor isn't In, nor won't be until evening," he announced tremblingly. trem-blingly. "How are you feeling now, Mary?" "It's Just as well he wasn't there, James," his wife answered cheerfully. Tdu know I'm not going till tonight, anyway." "What would you say, Mary, to getting get-ting out for a ride? It's a beautiful day and It might do you good," Mr. Hanson suggested, at his wits' end to know what to do next. I "Why, I think that would be very pleasant. We might as well make the best of the time and I haven't been beyond Main street in more than two years." Once more Mr. Hanson hurried out. this time to return with a comfortable vehicle. Then followed the task of helping Mary get ready, which he fulfilled ful-filled dutifully. "Your bonnet doesn't look very' well and your coat Isn't what it ought to be; you'd better get some new things when you feel like looking around a little." with his voice full of a momentary mo-mentary hope that Mary's strange fancy was passing even now as quickly as it had come. Not so. however. how-ever. "The hat and coat are well enough for one more wearing." Mary answered, an-swered, significantly. Carefully Mr. Hanson lifted his wife Into the carriage to take the ride under un-der these most unusual circumstances. circum-stances. "We'll go first and hunt up Hannah Han-nah and see if she will come back to work," he proposed. "Times are going go-ing to be better now," he added lamely. lame-ly. Mrs Hanson smiled responsively at the better prospect for the world In general, but conveyed the Impression Impres-sion that times, good or bad. could never again affect her personally. Aloud she said, "I think myself that Hannah would do as well for you as anyone; she knows the ways of the house and is honest and faithful." faith-ful." After they had satisfactorily accomplished ac-complished this domestic errand the ride progressed without further incident, inci-dent, while Mr. Hanson furtively watched the quiet woman at his side. It was dusk when they reached home and Mr. Hanson, with increasing fear, assisted Mary Into the house, then left her again just long enough to return re-turn the horse to the stable and leave word for Dr. Jones to come to the Hanson house that evening and be prepared to stay all night. The subject sub-ject of supper was not broached. Mr. Hanson made lights, which instead of cheering only revealed those dreadful preparations everywhere. The time dragged wearily until the doctor came, then James recited the facts of the case and told of the fateful fate-ful end predicted by Mary. Dr. Jones looked puzzled and thoughtful. Mary lay quietly and comfortably in her bed. but Mr. Hanson was now on the verge of a collapse and needed constant reassuring, which the doctor supplied with a patience acquired through years of experience Slowly the hours dragged by. "The night is not over yet." Mary would warn them occasionally, and the clock ticked on. Finally James detected the first raj of light In the eastern horizon. "Mary!" he cried joyfully. "The night is over and you are still here!" "Why, so I am!,' in apparent sur prise. "It was such a strange idea that I had. James; it seemed to possess pos-sess me through and through. Well I had a real happy day yesterday with the ride and getting ready fc company." Dr. Jones rose and started weari for home. As the door closed aft him Mr. Hanson said tenderly: "Np. you lie still and rest, Mary, and bj and by Hannah will bring you up some breakfast." Then he added, not without a pleased anticipation in his own voice, "And. Mary, I've been thinking that perhaps It would do you good if we went away for a little trip. I believe that with the housework house-work and making over the carpet and the summer boarders maybe you've overdone a little without realizing it." He hurried away to send Hannah up with the breakfast and left Mary looking affectionately after him with, a strange smile on her face. ' Then, "Maybe I didn't realize It and again maybe I did," she whispered oracularly. |