Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1880-05-26

walked denDeraleIY OUT neIoi anu HNiN
he stald. You euticed him out; YOU
know you did, you ungrateiul mink
and you firted with him over my table
and over my pies, and under my very
nose. for was watching you behind The
door. l consider it my duty to report
the minister. l shall have his name on
every tongue in the town. lie shall be
drummed out of the place, aud you
leave my house this very night. have
put up with your nonsense as long as
intend to. You are not 10 stay in re-
spectacle family.
% aunt y moaned Polly, with white
lips. hut Miss Phoebe went on, though
in more argumentative tone as her
wrath cooled.
No, you needn't leave tonight ell
tbcr. Inavc so much company invited
to- morrow that you shall help me. L
might as well get what can out OF you,
though ifyou were to work your fingers
to the bone you couldn't repay me-
You havn't any claims on me now, you
are big and strong enough TO work Tor
Yourself. wouldn't have turned you
out when you were little aud helpless,
but I've done my duty by you now
Polly stemmed the torrent OF words.
1t is not necessary to say anything
more aunt she said in clear voice (;
Il will co.
The next morning was clear and
cold. The stubble sparkled with mil
lion frosty diamonds when Polly cross
ed the field on her way to church; some
hardy little English sparrows were
chirping thanks that the spow had not
vet covered the bits Of scattered grain
which renamed for them, and PoliY's
heart grew lighter as she watched them.
checrily picking and finding susten' nee
in the barren field.
Behold the fowls Of the air; for they
sow not, neither do they reap,nor gath
or into barns yet your Heavenly Faith"
er fcedeth them. Are ye not much bet
ter than theyf'
These words of comfort coming into
her mind warmed her cold heart, and
with light step she obeyed the sweet
silvery invitation OF the church bell. A
holy calm fell on her spirits as she en-
tered the peaceful little church, and,
walking up the dim aisle, she took her
seat where tho crimson light from a
staiucd.glass window fell athwart her
pallid face. The words 'outcast, wan
derer. homeless had been ringing IN
her brain with a dull maddening repe-
tition all night, but now, as the deep
tones Of the organ rang out in the glad
thanksgiving to the Giver of all good
things, Polly felt herself upllited, Tor
the moment, above the miserable an
noyances of her life; and when she
Glanced at Melissa, looking lretty aud
fresh in her feathers and silk, she felt
almost thankful for her, that she pos
sessed the love of a great and noble
soul. Polly led the choir, and when
the minister's ear caught the sweet,
clear tones in which there was no guile.
he also thanked God. With the incon-
sistency of human emotion, Polly 8
mind wander several times during tie
the service to the pumpkin pies on tie
shelf at home. This was before tie
sermon. When once she felt the mag
netlsm of bis voice, she listened spell
bonnd until it ceased. She never wept'
"a those around her sometimes did at
some touching recital. She sat notion
less. with dilated eyes, and almost held
her breath until be had finished. To-
day she kept saying to herself: The
last time The last time ! When
next he speaks here God knows where
| shall bev
Once the minister caught the express
sion of the wild brown eyes, and there
was such misery IN them that fol mo
ment he lost bis self-possesslon.
After church Polly hurried home to
set the table, and the minister followed
with Melissa, whom. for reasons OF her
own, Miss Phoebe had also invited to
dinner.
At dinner Melissa was placed next
the minister and Polly opposite, a small
handmaid being behind for the occasion
to wait on the table. Polly could not
help thinking what a handsome couple
they would make, as she glanced from
his strong, dark head and brilliant, blue
eyes, to Melissa's cold, clear cut face
and graceful figure draped in rich black
silk. Polly's face WAS flushed from
J bending over the stove, and her hands
trembling with excitement.
She did rot know a. what moment
her aunt would come ont with some
thing about Yesterdays performance,
and Polly felt that before all the assem-
bled relatives, aud especially before the
minister and his betrothed, she could
not endure it. But Miss Phoebe SEEM
ed in particularly good humor, and
her acrid face dissolved itself into some
thing approaching smile.
Once Melissa, smiling, at Polly, said;
Il have heard you were a good cook;
but had no idea You were so accom-
plished.'
Polly didn't make anything but the
pumpkin pies.' Aunt Phoebe answered.
smiling grimly, and she ordered the
maid to bring them on.