The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1877-12-27
THAT, NIGHT AT TIE MILL.

"Herc we are at the old mill. In
with YOU, Amy. Just hear that thun-
der" j., 49,:
A scamper across the wet grass, a run
over; the rude footbridge, little climb to
the level Of the old platform, and there
was Jess. breathless and radiant, under
shelter.
"Therc, we're all right now. Why, I
never saw such downpour in my life"
And size ynatched off her hat, shaking a
spray Of rain-drops from its crimson
feather.
Two girls-.tall jess and little Amy
had been coming down the mountain by
the glen road through the woods, with
only narrow ribbon of sky showing
over head, and they had not noticed the
storm rising. Just here at the open
ipg Of the gorge above the old mill it
had taken them "fast and furious
wind, rain, lightning, thunder ana
heavy, bluc-black darkness closing in
around.
"Watch that cloud settle down on the
inountain.'' :.
Amy said it sitting on PROSTATE log,
and looking out at the mill. Sudden
storms are not uncommon in Berkshire,
and the girls rather enjoyed the violence
Of this. Jess stood as straight as the old
pine post beside her, delight in her eyes
and q sprinkle Of the shower in her black
a i.: 81 F. RI
"How, the wind roars up the river
Isn't it grand?" she said. SHOW, Amy,
if any harm comes of this, shall be the
one to answer Tor it. You remember
how it used to be when VIC were little,
and Aunt Kitty would say, |Jcssica, you
know you led Amy into it. You must be
punished"
.And you werc."
"Wasn't I? Trust Aunt Kitty for
that"
'::HoY she used to send yau to bed !
Don't yo: remember she would say that
whipping injured the spine, and starving
hurt the digestion; but that sending to
bed was safer?'
swell, it was. know, for I tried it.
1declare, Amy, I'm appalled, when I think
how many of the shining hours of child
hood spent in bed. Aunty used to say
she telt perfectly easy about me when 1
was locked up in my own room. Poor
soul! believe that was all the peace of
her life that she had, what with Tom and
me together"
The rain and wind, the thunder and
lightning kept on harder and harder
Jess stood laughing and chatting, after
her merry, happy fashion, and Amy, after
her gentle, happy fashion, sat listening
"And, Amy. do you remember how you
used to 60 up to the attic window and
swing your hat down for basket, and SC
smuggle things to me-dolls and dough.
nuts, you know? You were always such
dear little comfort, you!" And in 6
gush of grateful "reminiscences, Jess benz
and gave Amy's shoulder dainty bite with
her small, hard teeth.
They were very different, you see, Jess
and Amy. It was as natural for the ont
to lead as it was for the other to follow
AT school Jess had been the first scholar
the finest reader in the hail. the best row.
or on the lake, to say nothing of being
''the handsomest one among them. The
girls in writing notes to her, delighted tc
place u. r." after the address, essico
Regina, 1t would be we'll for some othe,
Queens If their subjects were as loyal
There is no place known to the presen,
writer where strong girl like Jess rules
more completely than in school.
Amy had been among them-well
'Jess Langdon's sister," "Every one
loved her, of course; but then'-your in
formant would pause little-"Amy
wasn't wonderful as Jess was-wasn't a
girl TO be brought to the front examina.
ton days, you know"
To be sure, that night when poor Fan,
n.y. Dane died-that was so strange
when she knew she wasn't going to get
we'll, and couldn't see her mother anv
more, when they asked her if she wouldn't
Hke>to. see DR.. Perry the minister, she
said, mo get Amy Langdon, please" We
all wondered she didn't send for Jess.
There was ono who did not wonder
less herself.ss In the year since they
graduated the older sister had learned
several things. There were fathers, and
brothers, and. lovers to~rnlc this outside
WORLD, and her place seemed somehow to
bGflled. Tom and Ted, her two college
cousins, came in with rollicking "How
are. you, Jess4 How. does the world use
you this morning?" and passed her to
fling down theirIshats and. lower their
voices Is theyssat by Amy. &: ii
Wassit possible that Amy's gentle wo.
maalaess inspired in them d respect
whichsher own wit and sarcasm could
not~proauce?s Had she carried of the
trstPstze in Latin and English compo-
sition, only TO, come home, after all.
AND take lessons Of little. Amy? Jess
popderod and wondered, and in the
midst of her pondering and wondering
the two came to the old mill in the
thunderstorm of that August morning.
"ComeAere, Amy, and see the water
pour over the dam" jess was standing
on the riverside of the mill now. There
was square opening, rude sort of win
dow, from which they could watch the
water plunging down, churning itself
white among the black rocks fifty feet
below.
How fast the river is risinev' Amv
said anxiously.:. i,
cts like the streams among the Scotch
Highlands They swell from brooks
to tioods:in a few hours, you know
"Jess, It's growing dark, We can't 20
home IN this storm, even if we have to
stay here all nightm cried Amy.
::ssNeyer mind. No one will be anxious
about.us: They think we're up at the
farmland 7 should like nothing better
than staying here all night. OH"
A little cry, for that instant flash Of
lighttnilg spaote 1.-THE air into quivers of
green and,red and gold all around them.
Amy, are you afraid9" And jess
caught her sisters hands: 8:'-G'
No. Amy was ;afraid'of many things
.ani1ord atj1s miCn, or1 no:,,o,. -