Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1880-01-28

If much of the brightness had gone ou'
of her life. Olden dandelions nestled
in the grass that carpeted the yard like
stray bits ofsunshine they were still
bright with the dewy freshness OF early
morning. To the right there was 10"
meadow land; the silver thread thai
trayersed it showed where brook mHr'
INJURED along, its tiny waves sparkling
in the sunlight. To the left were fields
of grain with ripened heads bowed,
waiting for the sickle. The air was full
of happy sounds; the tinkle Of distant
COW bells; the voice of domestic fowls,
and the song of wild birds. But her
great disappointment overshadowed it
all. She could think Of nothing but the
great barn-like house, painted a glar-
ing red, with It's large, shutterless win
dows, like lidless eyes, staring out up
on the dusty highway. Inside it was
equally as barren Of grace or beauty ;
the walls were dingy aud unadorned BY
pictures of any kind; the furniture was
gulltless of paint or yarnish; with no
works of literature worthy of mention
besides the weekly paper the Bible'and
an almanac. In this atmosphere she
must live, here she must hencelorth
work on. while mind and soul starved;
here. too. she must rear her children,
to see worth or beauty Is nothing that
eanuct be represented by gold. What
wonder then, if her thoughts and eyes
wandered over the fields Of waving
grain, TO where a stately stone house
stood on an emnence. She knew there
was beauty there; the breezes stole into
large, airy rooms, through lace curtains;
there were rich carpets and costly furnl-
ture. and q library that was almost an
intellectual feast to but look at; out
side there were pleasant walks and
drives. and a flower garden, filled
with rarest floral treasures and then
sighed softly as she thought TO herself.
But love would not have been there,
and life would have been Of little worth
without that
Jennie! ! Jennie Oh, here you are
and Mr.. Graham came out through the
back kitchen door, and seated himself
upon the edge OF huge log that had
been hewed out and did duty for both
eyesdrop and cistern. 1t was not un-
usual for him 10 seek her; he always
did when he came in and found her not
in the house. 1t was not a bad habit IN
the man. His very life seemed bound
M in her; and although he had had the
reputation among his neighbor OF being
close in his business transaction, he
was kind hearted and generous, too, IN
bis way. This morning he had some
thing ofimportance to communicate.
Il didn't tell yoa last evening" he
said. that 1 had already had some
talk with Southwell about that land.He
wouldn't listen to a cent under $4,000
then. and 1 wouldn't offer mere than
al 500. lie came over to see me this
morning. and offered 10 split the differ
ence. Amt that bargain, though =
A little better than spending money for
paint or paper, Jennie Oh he said'
rising TO 60. I came near forgetting to
tell YOU. Powers is here. He wants
10 hire out through the harvest. have
hands enough, but suppose the more
help l have the better l shall get along
so told him to 80 right at work. l
don't suppose he has been to breakfast
vet, his folks are so slack, so you must
set out a bit for HIM to eat. Try and
have the lunch ready by half past nine
YOU can blow the Lorn, and will send
one Of the men down for it.
Poor Jennie! 1t was like the last
straw that broke the camePs back. She
struggled hard. but the tears would
come. Mr.. Graham turned back and
came instantly to her side when he saw
that she was in trouble.
What is the matter, dear? he asked,
compasslonately, while his large, kind
hand glided down her hair with soft,
caressing touch.
There was no answer and tears only
came faster.
Tfyou are not feeling we'll, 1 will
slip down aud get Miranda Powers to
come out and help you. 1 guess Fd
better anyway, hadn't ["
Mrs. Graham mastered her emotion
with an effort.
'Oh, no, she said. There isn't any
thing
Mr.. Graham heistated; he was no
satisfied with this explanation.
There y she said, Now do go alons
to your work, or shall be foolisl
enough to cry again?' aud, indeed, she
looked very much as if she might.
Hiram Graham had faint idea as t
: what the matter was, and was very vii
J ling TO do as she bade him. He fel
considerably annoyed that his viii
, could not see the advantage Of the pro
= posed purchase that would so materl
, ally add to their mutual property. AM
. then he began to wonder what she wa
/ thinking so silently about while sh
t stood looking off toward the distant hill
e A little jealous crcpt in with th
t thought. The owner Of that fine man
/, sion had once been a formidable rlys
of his. There could have been no rea
l son for her choice but the one she 5
e shily confessed to him in the soft twi
, light Of summer evening ten year
ago. How proud and happy he ha
, felt! He vowed she should never war
for ANYTHING which he could procure