The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1884-11-06

OF COWS. A tlne sleet had begun t(
fall, and they trotted across the yarc
quickly. The stable door was open
light shone from it-from the Ian
tern which always hung there, and
which Philip had lit, as he said. Soft
ly nearing the door, Mrs. Hall pro-
; nounced the name "Helena?"
There was no answer for the mo-
ment. Looking in she was taken by
surprise. Two people appeared before
her. For one, instead Of the drabbish
woman she had expected, Mrs. Hall
saw pale, dark-eyed, lady-like crea-
ture, whose personality ruled her at
tire rather than was ruled by it She
was in new and handsome dress, of
course, and an old bonnet. She was
standing up, agitated; her hand was
held by her companion-none else
than Sally's affianced, Farmer Charles
Darton, upon whose fine figure the
pale strangers eyes were fixed, as his
were fixed upon her. His other hand
held the rein of his horse, which was
standing saddled as if just led in.
At sight Of Mrs. Hall they both
turned, looking at her in way neith-
er quite conscious nor unconscious,
and without seeming to recollect that
words were necessary as solution to
the scene. In another moment Sally
entered also, when Mr.. Darton drop
ped his companions hand, led the
horse aside, and came to greet his be-
trothed and Mrs. Hall.
"Ah!" he said, smiling-with some
thing like forced composure-"this is
roundabout way of arriving W.
will say, my dear Mrs. HI a,, Bnt 7
saw light he"~d and led Ianr in NV GoI horse .
Al --ce-my friend Johns and my
man have gone on to the Sheaf Of ar
rows with theirs, not to crowd you
too much. No sooner had [ entered
than I saw that this lady had taken
temporary shelter here-and found
[ was intruding."
"She is my daughter-in-law," said
Mrs. Hall calmly. "My son, too, is
in the house, but he has gone to bed
unwell."
Sally had stood staring wondering
ly at the scene until this moment,
hardly recognizing Darton's shake Of
the hand. The spell that bound her
was broken by perceiving the two lit
tie children seated on heap of hay.
She suddenly went forward, spoke to
them, and took one on her arm and
the other in her hand.
"And two children?" said Mr.. Dar-
ton, showing that he had not been
there long enough as yet to under
stand the situation.
MY grandchildren" said Mrs. Hall,
with as much affected ease as before.
Philip Halls wife, in spite of this
interruption to her first rencontre,
seemed scarcely so much affected by it
as to feel any ones presence in addi-
ton to Mr.. Darton's. However, arous-
ing herself by quick refe ction, she
threw a sudden. critical glance Of her
sad eyes upon Mrs. Hall; and, appar-
emily finding her satisfactory, advanc-
ed to her in meek initiative. Then
Sally and the stranger spoke some
fir ;endly words to each other, and Sal
ly went on with the children into the
house. Mrs. Hall and Helena follow
ed. and Mr. Darton followed these,
looking at Helena's dress and outline,
and listining to her voice like man
in dream.
By the time the others reached the
house Sally had already gone up stairs
with the tired children. She raped
against the wall for Susannah to come
in and help to attend to them, Susan
nah's house being a little "spit-and-
dab cabin leaning against the sub
stantial stonework of Mrs. Halls tall
er erection. When she came bed
was made up for the little ones, and
some supper given to them. On de-
scending the stairs after seeing this
done, Sally went to the sitting room.
Young Mrs. Hall entered it just in adj
vance of her, having in the interim re-
tired with her mother-in-law to take
off her bonnet, and otherwise make
herself presentable. Hence it was
evident that no further communica-
ton could have passed between her
and Mr.. Darton since their brief in
terview in the stable.
Mr.. Japheth Johns now opportune-
ly arrived, and broke up the restraint
of the company, after few ortho-
dox meteorological commentaries had
passed between him and Mrs. Hall by
way of introduction. They at once
sat down to supper, the present OF
wine and turkey not being produced
for consumption tonight, lest the
premature display Of those gifts
should seem to throw doubt on Mrs
Halls capacities as provider.
Drink bold, Mr. Johns drink
bold" said that matron magnanimous-
ly. "Such as it is there's plenty of
But perhaps cider wine is not to your
taste Though there's body in it. J."
"Quite the contrary, ma'am-quite
the contrary" said the dairyman
For though I inherit the malt-liquor
principle from my father, | am cider
drinker on my mothers side. She
came from these parts, you know
And there's this to be said for't-'tiS
more peaceful liquor, and don't lie
about man like your hotter drinks
With care, one may live on it a
twelvemonth without knocking down
neighhor, or getting a black eye
from an old acquaintance"
The general conversation thus be-
gun was carried on briskly, though it
was in the main restricted to Mrs
. Hall and Japheth, who in truth re-
quired but little help from anybody
There being slight call upon Sally
tongue she had ample leisure to dc
what her heart most desired, namely
watch her intended husband and hel
sister-in-law with view of elucidat-
ing the strange momentary scene in
, which her mother and herself had
surprised them in the stable. If that
scene meant anything, it meant, al
least, that they had met before. That
there had been no time for explanation
Sally could see, for their manner was
. still one of sunnressed amazement a1