Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1882-07-14
THINGS EEsSc EoraL

Things are not equal in this world,
sl2nsd hester Thorn sitting down n. Ii
end window of the farm house, end ie
nng an open letter fall from her hand O
the floor.
What Ia Il nov, DEAR" asked &c
sister Ruth, VINO WAS lying on tie chin,
.onnge that was drawn up Under the tx
front VIE shaded windows. ANY ne
tro7ble.''
Yes. Oh, dear. ii Is nothing BIZ. t-o-
e.s, Eush. am ti2sd, tired. tired OF
ali. have lost the school. The con
Ioit:ee prefer a teacher from the c:s,
Ana now ara We 20 get through ,h
yesf9 | have just been reading abb.
tne grand doirgs among the cour: pee
PIE in England, and among our Own al
issocracy IN snis country-balls. part;e,
operas, and all the resi- OF it,-until 10
heart Is gray as our old nurse used {
say. q, Ruth. what have thev dore I
deserve so much sunshine in their lives
and what have We done to merit all thi
trouble and misery in ours:''
hester dropped her brown head OF
her folded arms and fairly cried aloud
II does seem hard" said Ruth, whe,
she grew more composed; "but Go,
knows bes. what is best for Us, dsa.
Ard am afraid have been q little Sc.
hsh lately, while you have been :oilin,
and thinking 80 hard. 1t seemed $
sweet TO me TO be free from pain, ate
that long fever, that have thought o
little elss. 10 tee the sun and th
green leaves, a7,d to hear tire autumn
whistle of the birds, has been such
blessing, that i hare scarcely know
how 10 be grateful enough for it."
And / am or 4teful, too, Ruth, tina
you are getting we'll again." cried Hes
ter; land l know that every one ouch
to be thankful, if they car est, drink
and sleep we'll, and bs free from sickness.
and pain. Bot. q Ruth. all the sam,
there IS the Doctors bill to pay, and al
the bills Of the year. The farm we can
not work ourselves, and am sure thai
Osnegal takes advantage of my isno
rance In the way lie manages il and the
land Goes not furnish half We need
though while our poor father lived il
supported Us all; and nov that have
lost this last chance-the high school,
really and truly, Euthie, Goa't know
what is to be doner'
Tho debts must be paid, ard paid a,
once, said Ruth decidedly. Il see bu,
one way. Hester
What Is thatT'
Mortgage the farm"
Hester Was silent.
AM f.r the sake of his old liking fol-
our fsther, think S:eadman Richings
%on,d lend YOU what you need" contin.
ueu i.uth, watching her coyertiy.
Hester started. A crimson blush dyed
her face and throat, but still she die
not speak.
'Hester, come here and tell ne. How
was II between you and Iir. Richings:"
asked her sister gently.
Tears rose again i'll HeS.er'S brigh:
dark eyes. She looked out dreafi,y
across the reaped fields toward high hills
where the tichings homestead domain
ated the town.
II DON'T know, Ruth, she said. ''Ha
used to come very often 20 see me-"
IL nnOw."
'And thought ne loved me. Ihad
reason TO think so, Ruth. looked for
ward, confidently, TO being his wife, al
though he had not said the decisive
words. lie was here one evening the
evening that cousin John Thorn came
from the city--and he never came
again"
but did he not write to you?" asked
Ruth.
Not word. lie went nsxt day to the
city, and then to Europe. 1t is two
years since have seen him; and can
not go to hun On an errand like this,
kutii."
Nevertheless Hester did go to Stead
man Richiugs before twenty four hours
had passed over her ponny brown bead,
The next afternoon WAS one of thoss
serene aud lovely ones, such as are only
vouchs .fsd ~ an5riat IL the latest OF
the autumn, after the harvest is reaped.
aud the fruits are gathered, and the sun
has ouiy to SHINE warmly down upon
the children of men, without q care.
The sky, from north To south, from
east 10 vest. WIS deep, deep blue, aud
only gentle breeze was stirring among
the tree tops and the blossoming vines,
With infinite eyertion Hester dragged
and tilted the cid lounge out into the
sunny yard. aud sfterward wrapped
Ruth carefully IN cloak and shawl,
and half led, Lalf carried her ont there
tor the first time since May.
- iiScstl Skt " thO ArJcsSAHS 8GSnito,
CONCEAL. the farmland, entered the
kitchen and laid two letters on the table,
WIFI a swift forebodinS of misfortune,
she LETT Ruth aud posse herself Of
them. They were from the butcher and
grocer of the village demanding imms-
iiats payment Of tile accounts lnclosed.
The news OF her loss OF tue high school
was already -Bogn throughout: the place.
One look at Enth, so happy IL. the
golden sunshine, and Hester i mind Was
made GD.
She ran to her room. made a hurried
.oiist, stole Oh. by the back door, and
COX th. hill road that led from the VII
age TO the Kicaings place. How cslm
md resifu. aud happy the grand old
'ed-brioa house looked with lts French
and its do1ble-leaved doors,
wide open 10 the autumn sun
,h.ne. Two gardeners were a. work IN
he grounds, but not u servant was visi-
lie In the house as she stole III through
he wide hall and oeened the horary
ioor. S,eldmau Richlngs, just risen
rom his writing table, hat III hind, and
.eady 10 go out, confronted her.
He started as if he had secn a ghos.
tor Hester was now deadly
pale. and only by keeping the thought of
her GRAND firmly before her, could she
courage to go through the in-
.arv,ew.
20. Mr.. Riohings, We are so poor! she
,eSa,i, inoaherentiy; land Ruth has
been very Ill SINCE last May. She needs
nice things Ia strengthen her; and have
ost the school. l cannot ~. then for
ler unless We mortgage tho farm. WIN
rou take it into your hands and allow
~ what you think proper for III II may
ave kuth's life. Its for her sake. l
,ould not have come 10 you else, she
turning crimson under his
liked gaze, and feeling avid desire ~
sit down and cry her heart out then and
there.
With an effort Mr.. Richiugs recovered
and set about making hrs visi-
Tor comfortable and at case.
He wheeled an armchair OF violet vel
vet TO the oI,en window, and made her
seat herself IN it. Then he rune the bell
for his ola kolsekesper, q quot, neatly
dressed friend" WHO had known Hes
ter a, q Rush since their earliest child
hood. aud their dead PARENTS before
them.
Throw of your hat and shawl, Hes
ter, and stay and take cup Of O'Clock
tea with Mrs. Paynter and myself" said
Mr.. Richings, adding his entreaties to
= hosxa nj the gentle old lady,