Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1879-11-05
aMisfellanu.
4 Leaf From Kezzie Grlswold's Life..

lnere WIS Il lOuCu vi lIDpdIlenCo IN the
crl's voice. She took her hand from the
gate, and busted herself in picking to
Dicccs the flower she held.
Time to think? All, Kezzie, | have
no need to stop and think whether | love
YOU or not; though it may take time to
show how much l love you-a lifetime,
indeed"
Her manner softened at his tone and
she answered in gentler way, with the
rich color coming to her face:
Il did not say that l needed time to
decide that, but if would be your wife
that is what you asked me, Robert"
Well, it is the same thing is it not ?
Will not answering one question answer
both?"
% do not know that. When l answer
you it is, as you say. for lifetime. Yet
vcu would have me do it in moment .
Then catching his glance she turned away,
half laughing, yet with the hot tears start
ing to her eyes. I" Don't look at me so
cant help it if l am not very sensible
on civil either, TO day. I'm tired-a little
bit cross, too, maybe. BE good, as you
always are, Robert, and don't ask me any
thing now. You must let me have my
own way in this. >
When did ever do anything elseP
You have surely light to take what time
YOU will; but Kczzie, little one, don't let
1t be long"
mo; | will answer you tomorrow. .
she said, slowly. g Go now, Rob. Good
night"
He watched her as she passed up the
garden walk, and then turned away, with
shade of pain and disappontment:o ION his
bronzed, handsome face.
The doors and windows of the large
kitchen were all wide open, and the sun
streamed in over the yellow floor, and
danced on the rows of shining tin, adding
to the uncomfortable warmth thrown out
by the great stove. Into this heated room
Kezzie Griswold came feeling its discom-
forts more keenly than ever before, and
casting weary, disconsolate look at the
huge basket of unironed clothing that was
patiently awaiting her return.
She was so tired of all this weary round
of work; of spending so much time,
thought and care on all those trillng
things that would have to be done over
again tomorrow. Never one step gained,
one single advance made; always doing
that others might undo-and such petty,
unmeaning things, too! What were sweep
ING and dusting, sewing and ironing, that
people should waste their lives SO? taking
us much though about the number of eggs
required for Il cake or custard as if mind
and thought were giving for nothing else.
There were other things in the world
but not in her world, it seemed. There
r1orionc 1iuoc thnt
worth the living; rich in blessing to them
selves and all around them. But the
beauty and enjoyment of life did not come
to her.
This old home was comfortable enough
so far as common things went-common
things. what else ever came to her?-
There was plenty of food and clothing
plenty of distasteful tasks, too she was
tired of it all-this dull, monotonous level
she wanted change and rest. She had
always thought that she would sometime
make new life for herself. She did not
know what or how; but sshe had dreamed
bright, vague dreams-poor little Kezzie
of a world where the wearing, torment.
ing commonplace should not creep in
But now there seemed n new chain forged
to bind her-Robert Kensett's love 70!
her, or rat1er hers for him. She did moi
need to question her love; the sure knowl-
edge of it was that which made her so i'm
patient. In her strange, paradoxical moot
she was almost ready TO hate him because
she loved him.
YEARLY she bent over the pretty pinl
muslin her cheeks flushed to almost The
same color, as she pressed out rutlle ant
tuck. Usually Kezzle prided herself upon
her skill and quickness in this sort o.
work; but to-day there was - subtle
poison drop at her life's very fountain
mead, and it tainted all the streams.
Kezicr! Kezier" piped shrill voice
from the stairway.
The name grated harshly on the girl'
cars. Why couldn't they have called hei
something else? she wondered, when there
were 80 many pretty, musical names
But no, it must be Kezia- coarse anC
common, like everything else,' she said tc
herself, going slowly to obey the call.
High up on the stairs stood Maste
Josey Griswold, leaning over the railing
and dangling long string.
Il say, Kezier, I'm a-fishin', an l wan
you to hitch piece of gingerbread on tc
my hook so can draw it up. I've 90
to stay here, cause I'm on desert slant
and hain't got no boat
"Oh, Josey what have you been doing?'
she cried, discovering that the young gen
tleman had purloine several yards o
velvet ribbon for his line," and bent he
shawl.pin double for hook. Yo,
naughty, naughty, naughty boy!"
NJ I al, ,,nitbor ~ cail 1oaau InGap
sively. q got wrecked, tell you, an
couldn't go down stairs for no string. |
had to take what could find on my island
like Robinson Crusoe."
"You might have got wrecked some
where else than in my bureau drawers,
think! Put the things where you fount
them, and come down stairs, Josey," ant
Kezzie went back to the hot kitchen again
She had scarcely resumed her work befor'
the ringing voice came once more.
"Kezier!"
This time he was on the upper landing
He had replaced the borrowed property
and so felt particularly self-complacent.
"Kezier, if I've got to come down stair
an be a good boy, must have some Gin
cerbread. I'm going to slide down tn
banisters, an I'll BIZ there quicker'n winl
an want the gingerbread just as soon II
| get to the bottom"
:'Well," said Kezzc, impatiently, ye
she complied with the conditions of peac
that were offered. After all, Josey wa
no more troublesome to-day than othe
days, only she was so weary. Tiresom
work and more tiresome Interruptions
she wanted to be free from them all.
Josey, having disposed of his lunch, ant
scattered the crumbs in rs many direction
as possible, wandered out into the gardel
in search of other occupation, and th
girl was alone again. The sunlight fel
hot across the little portico, and the veg
etable garden beyond looked dry ant
parched; but afar off were green hills
cool and shadowy, and her glance turne
toward them longngly. If she were onl
there, and could press her flushed face t
the cool moss, and, closing her eyes, thin
quietly for little while But instead tn
tall old clock in the corner struck eleven
and it was time TO be making preparation
for dinner.
Presently came n sound of quick steps
and Aunt Rachel hustled in, depositin