Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1874-07-11

him, and between us we soon had q
fine basketful.

him, and between us we soon had q
fine basketful.
Then the dozen barrels had to be in
spected; but this was quick work
only too quick, for Stephen was 80
quiet and SO funny, never seeming to
notice my flushed, tear-stained face by
treating me with Difference and cour-
tesy that soothed my feelings, SO that I
felt nothing but regret on leaving the
shady cellar for the sunshine without,
which I had at first so longed for.
Aunt Tabby's amazement, as her
lover, instead of me, brought UP the
apples, was only equaled by her wrath.
GAS sure as TIM alive, Cynthia, you
are the most presuming gal as ever l
saw!'
When wrathy, Aunt Tabby occasion
ally tripped in her vernacular.
"Miss Cynthia is not to blame" in
terposed Stephen, quickly, while he
gallantly stepped forward to relieve
Aunt Tabby from the pie-board and
rolling-pin she had nearly dropped in
her agitation. "The truth is, I want
ed to steal one of your fine pippins;
and as expect some of your pies at
my picnic next week, thought it but
fair 1 should but help bring up the ap-
Piles for them"
Aunt Tabby was appeased; and re-
gardless of batch of flour on the end
of her nose, which impaired most
comical effect to her face, she jested
and laughed and smiled at Stephen,
never needing me, who sat in one
corner by the open kitchen window,
idly playing with some of the dropping
sprays of the vine that had already be-
gun to decay.
I was outwardly calm, for was
proud, and felt humiliated to the dust
for my foolish outburst in the cellar;
but inwardly I was groaning in spirit.
To watch Aunt Tabby's maneuvers was
bad enough, but to sit tamely by and
see how Stephen encouraged her ad-
vances!
Encouraged was too strong word, !
felt in my heart; and yet when 1 re-
membered the thousand little nothings
by which he had won my foolish fancy
remembered, too, how all those little
attentions had gradually been trans
ferred to Aunt Tabby-I felt bitter
against them both, but especially
against Stephen. ....
He was going now, with only short
good-by to me, but as he passed the
window, he turned and looked full in
my face. What he saw there l don't
know, but curious, eager light flashed
into his blue eyes. He bent toward
me, and almost whispered:
"Miss Cynthia, you will come to my
picnic ?"
He waited an instant for an answer,
but as I gave none, being occupied in
trying to keep the angry tears from
my eyes, he bowed, and passed out of
sight. Not out of my mind, however.
Perhaps I thought of him the more
during the next few days, because
Aunt Tabby was so more than ordina-
rily hateful.
There seemed no end to the work to
be done, and never did it to please
her.
Moreover, she said nothing to me
about going on the picnic, though I had
been looking forward to it for weeks.
Grown desperate at last, I ventured
to broach the subject, as took up my
bedroom candle, the night before the
appointed day.
"I hope it won't be too cool for me
TO wear my pink lawn tomorrow; it is
the only decent dress I have" I STAN
mered out, with a choking feeling in
my throat.
Cynthia Warren, you're never such a
fool as to think you're going ON that
picnicw exclaimed Aunt Tabby, turn
ing redder than ever at the thought.
Why shouldn't I go?" answered
defiantly. "Stephen invited me, and
I want to dance and enjoy myself as
other girls do
Stuff" retorted she, sharply. eft
Stephen did invite you it was out of
compliment to me. You don't think
he cares a straw whether you go or
not, do you? Leastaways, you're to
stay at home and do your churning-
that's fiat. Do you understand ?"
I waited to hear no more, but rushed
away AOAO uAoCA0UAO tuuA uuu 0v0E
been in my life.
The wrath that filed my soul at
Aunt Tabby's unkindness alarmed me.
After I grew calmer resolved that
she should, at least, not be able to
laugh at my disappointment; SO
wiped away my tears, bathed my eyes,
and went to bed, where contrary to
my expectations, I slept soundly until
morning.
A neighbor was to call for Aunt Tab
by. Stephen, as the chief promoter
and organizer Of the affair, could not
be spared from the grounds to call for
her himself; and I watched her drive
off with as much composure as I could
assume. Then I returned to the kitch-
en- and chu1ned vigorously for an hour,
wishing all the time that had Aunt
Tabby's head in the churn.
Tho rsuOro,,c nwouo:cn III