The Carolina Spartan. [volume] (Spartanburg, S.C.) 1852-1896, 1856-08-14
THE MISSING LETTER.
V III

Four years more passed on. 1t was the
dinner. hour at Hill House Farm, an hour
after mid day. Mr.. Sterling, the farms oc
cupant, and his daughter sat down to it
alone. The farmer was sinking Into years,
and latterly he had been full Of ailments,
had grown short of breath and whecZy on
the chest, and could not look after his out
door pursuits as formerly. His daughter
was of quiet, gentle manuers, not beautiful,
bat full Of earnest truth and kindness. 1t
was singular that the farmers only child,
who WAS admired wherever she was known,
and who would be the inheritor of his sub.
stance, should have gained her six and.
twentieth year without having changed her
name, but she laugh ingly answered, when
joked about it, that she could not afford to
leave her father and mother.
'Shall carve to day, father, or will you:"
inquired Anne.
"You carve, child. Cut for your mother
first"
But Anne chose first Of all TO help her
father. The dish was boiled beef, and she
was careful 10 cut it for him as he best liked
it. Appetite never failed with Farmer Ster-
ling. She then rose to take up her moth.
er's dinner
"Hallo, Anne!" cried the farmer, "wIat
are you leaving the table for! Where's
Molly, that she can't take that up."
IMolly has so much to do to day." was
his daughters reply. There's Marlha's
work, as well rs her own; and with her
weak knee she will not he able to stir when
night comes, it she has to run up and down
stairs. shall be there and back in min.
nte.n
When dinner was over, the farmer drew
his arm chair close to the fire. Anne gave
him his pipe and tobacco, set his jug of ale
beside him, and then went upto her moth
ei|s chamber She smoothed the bed and
the pillows, changed hermolher's cap for
smarter one, i'll case any neighburs dropped
in, put some lavender water on her hand
kerchief, and gave her her usual glass Of
wine
"What else can do, mother n she asked.
Nothing, my dear. Sit down aud be
still--you must be tired helping Molly SO
much this morning you will read
n psalm. The book is here"
Anne Sterling took the prayer book. and
read the evening psalms for the day. Her
accent and manner OF reading were those
OF a gentlewoman, practically Injured rs she
WAS, to inferior household occupations. She
then sat talking, till, after a while, her
motEer seemed inclined 10 sleep; 50 Anne
softly leit the room, and went down stairs
into the kitchen 1t was then four O'clock
"Well, Molly, how are you getting on ~
"Oh, pretty well" responded the old SER
want, who was fixture in the family
"Martha hadn't need to go gadding out for
y holiday every day, though. Pm Off now
into the dairy"
''Is my father gone iuto the fields in
.quired Miss Sterling.
81 ha'n't seen nor heerd him since dinner"
"What, all this while! Then he must
have dropped asleep"
As Anne spoke, she went along the pas
sage TO the sitting room, and soon a wild
shrek reached Moliys ears. The latter
ran after her, as well as her lame LEG would
allow.
Farmer Sterling was in fit. His pipe
lay broken on the ground, and his head
had fallen on the elbow Of his chair, his eyes
starting, and froth issuing from his lips
Molly screamed out that it was apoplexv.
He'll be gone" she uttered, unless
NC'HSshihS9 SNi DS QOuts JlCS SOIuH IbSl.
However can We get tho doctor here in
time?"
Anne Sterling, pale as sheet, gathered
her scared senses together. 81 will run
into Layton for the DOCTOR" she said; "you
would never get there. Hold his head up
and rub his hand while am gone.
She darted off without bonnet or shawl
across the foldyard into the lane, which
was the nearest way TO the little town Of
Layton, flying along as If for Ter life. 1t
was dirty, and the mud spashed up with
every step. a laborer, in smock frock
who was at work in contiguous field, star,
ed at her with astonishment, and strided to
tho stile TO look at her as she passed
oh she cried, as she darted up to him,
her heart leaping at the sight of a human
being, ono who might perhaps be of service,
If you can run quicker than !, pray go for
me into Layton. My father-I-I did not
notice that it was you,' she abruptly broke
of; Il beg your pardon And, swfter if
possible than before, she flew OH her way
down the lane.
Ia was scarcely more than thirty years
of age, yet lines of care were in his face,
aud silver was mixed with his luxuriant
hair, but his couulenance was open and
pleasant TO look upon. lie was tall, agile
man, and he leaped the stilo and overlook
Anne.
Miss Sterlipgl Miss Sierlingr ho mpres-
siyely said, as le came up with her, and
strange TO say-Strange when contrasted |
with his dress and his menial occupation, bis |
words and bearing were those of 40 cduca
ted and refined man; you are in some dis