The Douglas independent. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 187?-1885, 1882-08-26


man she loved.
George has kept his color and his
good looks because his work lies out of
doors" she unused, "but l have worked
in this old kitchen until look old enough
to be his motherr'-she paused with a
bitter laugh-"I almost wish I was his
mother, then he would be suited with
what didp'
Noon came. The twelve o'clock whis-
tie sounded sharp and clear from the fac
tory in the village mile away; and be-
fore the whistle ceased little figure
stepped out on the side porch of the
Brewster house and blew horn.
There's woman for you," said Solo
mon Wyse, admiringly. "Dinner to the
minute-aud won't it be good onei"
The dinner was indeed success Ev-
cry dainty of the season and the farm was
there, skilfully cooked and neatly served
on table in the cool dining room-a ta-
bic covered with snowy cloth fresh from
its folds, and glass and china.
In the center of the table stood great
china bowl full of red roses that per-
fumed the room. Her cheeks were red i,
her eyes shone dark and bright, and her
words and smiles were ready--for every
one save George.
AS she sat, grave and silent, at the foot
OF the table, he looked at her wondering
ly.
She wore dress of silver gray alapaca
that had been her travelling dress when
they were married.
large white apron with bib shield
ed the glories of the costume. But why
did she put it on? Surely she could not
think of ''going visiting" that afternoon
with six haymakers to get tea for and the
milk OF eight COWS to attend to afterward.
The question burned upon his tongue
as he fingered moment behind the 9th.
er men.
But he.fnally went out without asking
it. The wife. who was afraid she hated
him, seemed almost like stranger, al
though she looked SO much on this occa-
sion like the girl he had married just two
years ago.
AS George neared the door of the wood
shed where the men were lounging away
the rest OF their nooning, he heard his
own name uttered by Solomon Wyse, in
tones of anger
Involuntarily he stayed his steps.
''Yes, l knew George from baby up,
and always said he'd make likely man.
But VOW ISIS shame to see how he
treats that pretty little creature! Such a
lunch this morning and such a dinner
this noon, in such nice, cool room, with
the red roses and all the rest of il! and
she just as pretty as picture, with her
red cheeks and bright eyes and her wavy
hair, and dressed as neat as pink, too!
And he sitting there as glum as cross
old man OF ninety. / was ashamed oe
him."
1--we heard he does nothing but find
fault with her all day long," said Sec
ond voice. "My wife says if I threw my
mother into her teeth the way George
| does his in Letty's, she'd run away from
me before she was day older"
Sand serve you right" chimes IN a
third. ''I'll tell you what my wife says.
She says it is confounded mean and small
of George not to keep woman here to
| help his wife. And when J saw the din
ner to-day that the pretty little thing had
got for us, all alone, I thought SO too.
Hang me if hadn't half mind to stop
here this afternoon and help her
wash up that great pile of dishes,
and let the haying go to thunder! It's
enough to kill the woman to have all that
work to do. And George is rich What
on earth is he thinking about? But he'll
be sorry for this year or two hence,
when we have to come here on different
| errand."
ITO carry her out in a coffin,'' said
Solomon Wyse. eyes. I suppose it will
come to that if some of us don't talk SER
iously to George. She don't look at all
strong now, and her hand trembled when
she changed my plate. It's burning
shame, and if none of you will talk to
George about it, will"
They moved off to the bayfield,, talk
ing as they went.
But when George Brewster joined
them Solomon Wyse deemed it prudent
to defer the proposed "talking to" fol
his brow was black as night, and he had
no more to say to his neighbors now thar
to his wife at the dinner-table
This, then, was the way in which they
spoke about him behind his back! these
men who labored beside him, and tool
their wages from his hand and pretended
to be his friends.
And his wife was afraid she hated him
To whom could he turn for comfort
from whom could he expect true friend
ship-if she who should have been near
est was an enemy in disguise? Lost in Q
moody reverie, he paid little attention te
his work.
And at last, at three clock in the after
noon, there was a sudden uproar in the
hayfield-a tramping of hoofs, rush o
terrified men, confusion of voices, and
among them all George Brewster lying
on the ground beneath the moving ma
chine, his right arm and leg broken by
the wheels, his head cut and bleeding
with q heavy fall.
Meanwhile Lefty, in the cream colored
house, had not been idle.
Tying on great calico apron in place
of her white one, she had quietly washed
and put away the dinner dishes and re
duced the dining room to order.
Tea was easily arranged, since it was
to consist of cold dishes, with glasses o.
milk for the men.
She threw table-cloth over the whole
as soon as it was finished, and went uE
stairs into the spare chamber to pack hel
trunk.
Yes, Lefty had made up her mind q
last. She was going away.
Life had degenerated into slavery, un
frightened, as she fancied, by ray o
love.
Sand slavery will support one any
where" thought Lefty, as with trembling
hands she locked and strapped her trunl
and fastened her few lines to George upoI
the lid
At the porch door she paused for one
1 ~