The Abandoned Claim

ing geraniums grew in great profusion. A narrow plank walk ran around to the side of the house, where there was a small porch, draped with honeysuckle and fragrant with its blossoms. They climbed the steps leading to this porch, and took the door key from beneath the mat, where they were in the habit of secreting it. As they did so, they noticed a basket containing meat and vegetables, their father's provision for the evening meal, and this simple testimony of his thoughtful care brought fresh pain to their hearts. It surprised them a little to find everything within unchanged. There were his slippers, just as he had drawn them off that morning, and his morning paper, neatly folded, lay on a stand at one side of the room. Everything was in perfect order, left so by the deft hands of Biddy McGinnis, who cameevery forenoon to wash the dishes that had accumulated since the previous morning, and to tidy up the house. They could not afford to keep a regular servant, and this had been their father's way of lightening their home cares since their mother's death. They came out of the house, and sitting down on the steps of the little porch, took out the luncheons they had carried in their satchels, and tried to eat; but after a weak pretense they gave up the effort, and the two younger welcomed Ned's proposal that they should follow Mr. Roberts's advice and count up their resources. The next morning Ned stepped around to Mr. Abraham's store, and showed him the li...