Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1881-02-11

1
ter. Attempting many things she, up te
a certain point, succeeded in all. Hel
: quick, deft. nervous fingers found nothing
difficult; but this very facility was dis
advantage and danger, and held her back
from real proficiency. To Judith, whose
mind and body were of slower habit, Kit.
ty appeared miracle of cleverness, Kit.
ty herself knew better, and had moments
in which she despised her own short CON-
ings most heartily. This afternoon she
was in an especially dispirited mood.
$50, as | am sure to make a mistake
either way, and TO do something I ought
not, and which 1 shall repent of after ward
l have decided to co." she was saying to
Judith.
''But why, if you feel so badly about
it?" persisted her friend.
"I've told you already. I go because 1
am afraid to stay. If do, shall get in
to some awful scrape, am convinced
Either ! shalls say yes, and be sorry, else
| shall say no, and be sorry still. The
only safe way is to say nothing till my
mind is made up, and I can't do that
without going away; but, oh dear it g a
lgreat bother. when we are so comfortable
here, and do so hate the idea of joining
Susan, and ge ting in with the Rippons
and all that set! -
'Well, must say again that / do not
understand it, persisted the practical Ju-
dith. ''You dom want to say yes, 'and you
don't want to say no. and all the time
you like Benz am sure you do. If was
| in your place, think should know my
own mind better, and what / wanted to
| say, Kitty
"Of course you would, you wise old
Ditha. If it was your Ben instead of my
Ben, don't l know exactly how things
would be2 You would weigh the matter
duly, taking the afternoon for it, so as not
to interfere with your nights rest; you
would take it to church with you, and
pray over it, or perhaps open the Bible at
random, and read passage for direction
| as Aunt Persis used to recommend; then
having made up your mind, YOU would bring
your Benjamin up here some fine day, sit
down on that rock there (taking the pre-
Caution to spread blauket-shawl first,
for fear of dampness), draw off your glove,
fix your eyes on Middle Mountain, and ut
ter pensive yes And you would coma
down the hill on Ben 3 arm, and be happy
ever after. and what is more, deserve it,
But, oh dear me and my Ben"
''Kitty. for shame! Well, what about
you and your Benz"
so:we can't and we won t settle it in that
fashion. I wish 1 could be with you,
Ditha, end do as you would do; it would
doubtless be great deal better for me-
But what's the use Of wishing? 1t can't
be; it isn't possible am, and must con-
tinue to be, my bad, foolish, contradictory
self: and you are an angel" lHere swift
embrace.) II don't know how feel, or
what want. and shan't know till I get
off somewhere to distance, and put that
boy in proper perspective He is COO near
by half, as it is now; he blinds and bewild-
ers me. can't see clearly, or determ inc
so discretion being the be, ter part of val
or, l shall flee." Kitty spoke merrily; but
judith, without turning her head, felt
sure that the tears we're not far from her
eyes.
ooh. you Kitty-Cat! Well, if you must
you must; but what shall I do Mithout
you9' she said. Then, after pause:
''Well here we are at the top. Let's climb
the rock, Kitty, and sit just where we sat
that first night when there was that re-
markable yellow sunset, the night when
Ben-why, what's the NATTER" in a
changed voice, for Kitty, stopping short,
had given a sharp exclamation of pain.
''Oh, Judith, how unlucky! That stone
turned under my foot, and I've twi ted
my ankle, Pm afraid. Help me to sit
down. Perhaps tie pain Will go off in
minute or two.''
But the pain did not quite 60. though
Judith unbuttoned the boot, and chafed
the slender ankle in her own warm hands.
Its better though" declared Kitty, af-
terra while. It's decidedly better and can
walk, think, If you'll let me hold your
arm.''
But the first step brought on renewed
paleness and groan.
"What shall we do?' said the troubled
Judith.
my dear girl, don't look so terrified
It's simple enough business. I shall sit
here quletly-the ankl g does we'll enough
while kept still-and you will please go
down the hill to the Barrett tarm, and
get Mrs. Barrett to send little Seth to Mr.
Barrett, wherever he happens to be, and
ask him to ''tackle up" the carry-all and
fetch me. That's all that's necessary
dear, so don't be so worried. Only you'd
better start at once, for the afternoon is
getting on. Stay, though! Before you go.
couldn't you help me to less conspicuous
place than this? Somehow don't fancy
the idea of sitting here alone to be stared
at by the people in the Mountain House
stage as they go by. Oh, know. There's
the old Pound; III 90 there.
''The old Pound.''
'.Didu't you know that that thing over
there was the Pound? Dear me! I've
known about it ever since that first after
noon. Zen told me- think. It always
seemed rather Interesting, somehow, but
never took the tronble to go inside before.
They haven't used it for years, believe.
but it will make a very good retreat till you
come back, just as good as If / was cow"
And laughing gayly, though with brow
twisted by pain, Kitty hoped across the
road, and into the small walled inelosure
opposite. "There! that is beautiful" she
declared. dropping into corner. "This
wall makes good back for me to lean