Weekly Trinity journal., 1876-05-20

kin. He was honestly glad to help RoN-
ana's friend-bccause she had been her
friend, he would have said, if he thought
about the matter at all and in the kind
ness OF his heart he presently asked if
the chickons' bran was not getting low
He was going to the village; should he
call at the mill ?
"Or if you have any errands, can
take you over IA well as not,' he added,
,s an a0orthought, and was mildly be-
wi)derod at ,ociug the sudden Aush ON her
face as She huwiclly answered that she
had no errauds,
Picking up tho milk pail, in which the
troth had perceptibly settled, ho walked
away with troubled expression. He
hoped Ruth hadn't any hard feeling to-
ward him. What could have made her
color up SOP And then it occurred to
him that though he had asked her often,
she had not ridden with him for long
while-not since why, not since Roxana
died and his own face flushed under the
dawn OF new idea. Ruth was afraid
the nciShbors might talk. Strange he
hadn't thought Of it before. Dear dearl
what a timid little woman she was
As he logged lonosomely along in tho
great wagon which used to carry two,
and seemed dismaly empty with one,
he could not Danish her from his mind,
and he began gradually to realize how
constantly she had been in it Of late.
What had made her manner SO distant
these months past2 Was it foar Of viii
lage gossip, or did she really dislike him2
llo wished he knew yes, he did wish he
knew and he jerked tho roius, unwit-
tingly woundiug the feeling Of his faithful
roam, conscientiously trotting her best.
Turning in at his own gate, a robellious
clamor from Mrs. Ebbosons hennery
greeted his car. Alas for his vain at
tempt to overcome maternal instinct !
Hardly had he left their sight when the
clucking Brahmas sought their nest,
where the little widow found them bill to
bill, the scarlet anlde-ties hidden beneath
tho straw. Six times She dislodged them
six times they reinstated Themselves and
now ut noon there they sat, brooding over
the pile OF bricks she had heaped in thoiI
nest, winking their small round eyes at
her in lazy triumph II was too much.
Was an immortal woman to be outwtted
by couple Of finite hens ? Tho little
widow renewed the conflict, but not dar-
ing to lay hands again upon the belliger-
eut bipeds, She resorted to the discreet
oNpediont Of po>ng at them through the
open window, thus aflording to Mr.. But
terkin, rs he rounded the corner, a con
fused vision Of agitated calico dancing
about distracted rake handle.
What setting again, Mrs. Ebboson2"
The small lady, till then unconscious
OF the gentleman's proximity, hastily
withdrew her head from the window and
looked down IN some confusion from her
porch on an inverted barrel.
"Yes, they're setting again but it's
just as woll," said she, rather incohe-
rently, narrowed by the fear lost she were
displaying her ankles,
Now, now, We must sea about this" ,"
responded Mr.. Butterkin, fishing in his
pocket for ball OF twine he had bought
that day for strlnglng the tomatoes, and
meanwhile glancing over his shoulder,
apparently to assure himself that tho or
chard was whero it should be. lie would
hayo liked nothing better than to lift the
little widow down, but his instinct told
him she would prefer to descend by her
self unobserved, and he was II man capa
( bic Of self-sacriGce. Wen tic the heni
to the fence" lac added, presently, con
scious OF thrill cf delight ~ ho pro
nounced the I'VE"
IIo knew himself better than in the
carly morning, and could not disguise the
fact that be lolt personal satisfaction IN
entering into oven the humblest partner
shin with Mrs. Ebbeson--a satisfaction
evidently not shared by the Brshmas
who, resenting discontinued Interference
tore his coat mercilessly. 1t was n Jagged
rent, from pocket to hem in his Sunday
garment too, which IN Roxana's time had
never gone to the village on week day
but who was there now to watch over
Mr. ButterAin's apparel? Not Mr.. But
terkin, surely, to whom the distinctions
OF dress were but as sounding brass and
Il tinkling cymbal.
"What a wicked, wicked shame y
cried Mrs. Ebbeson, in distress. Bat
IN darn it just as well as | can"
mo, no, thank you; it's OF no conse
quence," replied Mr.. Butterkin, with
manly Indifference.
"But Esther can't mend broadcloth.' y
Can't? You don't say so ~
Imbued with the masculine superstition
that incapacity with the needle bstokens
idiocy, Mr.. Butterkin looked aghast.
"No she's young, you know, and mol
used to sewing Besides, Pm response
bic for this rent. Let me attend to it
please"
lie removed the garment without Z
word his face flushing like moose berries
in Autumn. Not at the thought that
since Esther was incapable, he must b'
indehted to the widow for past favor
with the nesdle-indeed, no would hav'
unblushingly declared that this was tn
first occasion since Roxana's deceass tina
garment OF his had needed repair-bu
he felt reluctance of being dependen
upon Ruth for menial service, when |
was now the growing desire Of his hear
that she should lean upon him.
Seeing him color, Mrs. Ebbeson, on
Of sympathy, colored too, and such a viyl'
sad lasting crimson that her mother