The Lincoln County herald., 1873-05-14
A NOVEL SPOILED.
IFrom Scribner's for May.l

tFrom Scribner's for May.]
Tho heroine was not beautiful to begin
with, not quecnly, nor 10 any wise re
markable. She was just = plump, vim.
some little maiden, and she stood at the
garden gate, that moonlit Sunday even.
ing, with an air the very reverse Of state
illness and composure, pulling leaves
from the rose bush near by with nervous
futtering fingers, that did not even know
when the thorns pricked them. Outside
the gate was tall figure, face bronzed
and bearded, and low voice utteriug
words half pleading, half resentful.
There was moments pause, then the
voice questioned, with dash Of bitter
ness
"Shall 60, Maggic?'
"Just as you please, Mr.. Clifford !"
whereupon the questioncr turned sud
denly about aud strobe rapidly down the
country road, crushing the glittering
sand under his feet, whilo Maggie sped
into the house, up to her room, and
bolted her door as if afraid Of being pur.
sued. She peeped through window,
from behind the curtain, until the lonely
pedestrian on the quiet road had van
ished from sight; then she assured her
self that "if Tom chose to act so-so-
she didn't care y and proved her utter
Indifference by burylug her face in her
pillow with a burst Of sobs, and entire
forgetiulness of the pansies in her pretty
hat.
They had quarreled about nothing--at
least she couldn't remember what it began
Without Of course it was all over be
tween them now, and he would go away
az he had said. She wondered, as she
lay with her flushed face turned toward
the stars, how it would seem to die that
night, and 60 away from it ALL
Wouldn't somebody be sorry then? She
almost wished she could do it-Dot quite,
because one doesn't like to stop in the
middle Of story, even If it is ones own ;
and, beside, what good would his remorse
do her if she never could know anything
about it2
Tom, on his homeward walk, dis
coursed furiously to himself upon the
6ckleness aud perversl,y Of all woman
kind. mot Que Of the whole race worth
breaking u fellows hoart for" he re
marked savagcly, though with queer
little quiver about his lips the while
One thing was certain, be would not stay
moping there. The world was wide. anc
there was nothing now to hold him back
IIe would resign his place in the village
store. aud ioin the purity for Arizoua
Yes, he would take the first mornin'
train for the city, and tell Golfer hi
would 60; there was fortunately tim'
Q enough for that yet, and if it left brle
= space for preparation, SO much the better
lie should not wait for the people t.
= change their opinion. he thought, fancy
ing that by people" be meant Mis-
Maggie, but, in reality, fearing more
, faltering Of purpose in q nearer party.
Let the Sunday night be what it may
Mouday morniog follows it all the same
:. Maggie was glad that it was Monda,
g morning, since it left her at liberty t
= sit with her sewing in aquiet corner by
9 window, unquestioned and undisturbed
n while busy Aunt Polly, who would allo,
= no mex porieuced fingers to iutermeddl
in her washing, and lame Aunt Becky
who would stay where Polly vas. wer
!, in the kitchen adjoining. No ordinar!
kitchen was this, steaming, soapy, an
discousol.te. but q large, pleasant tid
g room, where Aunt Becky could enjo
e her arm chair aud ner knitting togethe
with Aunt Polly's discourse. The latte
" lady was unusually talkative on wash
day. Possibly being surrounded by tub
and piles of linen sugsested, vaguely,
pulpit or speakers stand, or perhap
having had all day Sunday to think il
her opinions needed shsking out an
: smoothing before they were laid away ft
the week. At any rate, Miss Polly ha
q way of doing up the world and hi
washing together.
= "Most through, Polly" Questions
!. Miss Becky, as she always DID ever
ct half hour. 49,.
al "Csu't say I sm," responded Mi
Q, Polly, with snap that shook outa pa
Of of wet hose and her words at the san
RS time "not unless l view my washin 1t
same way these new style poets do th
- robe of Righteousness, spd think nigh
little is the whole on't One elei
stockin' is enough 'cordin to then. a
matter how much mud body has go'
J into, 80 he managed to teep one foot ou
I don't believe no such u
"Wby, of course to DO sure a.
. mittcd Miss Becky, With mild indshnlt
ness. II,
9. "Curious what kinds Of folks tt'
world does hold anyhow" pursued Nj
Polly, gazing meditativesy into Il
depths Of her tub. "rhere's them th
has health on the brain, now-nos th
ia their brains is 80 pafsicl laS health
neither that I snow Of but they
always a talkip' sbost it. You mast
this, and you mustn't do s'other' fos fe
-, you'll spils your constitution aud
!" your BY laws. Some of 'em says its
sin TO be sick. Pears to ne, ifshats
the sicksr you get the oickeder yoa mu