Cheyenne transporter. [volume] (Darlington, Indian Terr.) 1879-1886, 1885-02-15


their names. The farmers deepest
lore was the market price of grain.
Outside of them, the great world OF
letters great, at that day, as perhaps
it never has been at any other time -
rolled on without giving them any
sign of its existence. And none of
them had ever read novel or a poem,
or seen play. But they acted out the
drama just as well, and Ned loved
Hulda and cared nothing for Jean, and
Jean loved Ned and hated Hulda.
And Hulda knew the whole, and tri-
umphed over Jean, and cared little
for Ned, because of his broad shoulders
and bronze curls, but not over-much;
and Inany novelist would have given
much to have had the little plot of
their daily lives, to touch up and make
pretty with his pen.
The girls slept together in an upper
room of the house. and on her wedding
eve Hulda srread ont gown and shoes
and cheap white veil, and dancing
about them, boasted that when the
mOrrow's sun set she should be mis-
tress of the house, and Jean her SER
want. And Jean, thinking of the old
grandmother who had begged her not
to lose SO good a place, said nothing,
but stood silent, white-faced and wan.
and felt bitter hate rising in her
heart. Ned was away at the town,
and would not be back until next
morning, the morning of his wedding.
The old folks were asleep below. How
easy it would be, in the dead of NIGHT.
N In f,,J han
some harm-to mar her beauty, or
even end her life.
The thoughts grew SO, and were so
horrible, that she could not be sure of
relief Hulda, watching her, saw only
a deadly y whiteness creep over her lips,
and with the first touch of pity in her
heart, folded her veil away, and said,
unwisely enough, but meaning it
kindly.
mo doubt, the next wedding will
be yours, Jean"
Then Jean, without look, turned
from her and left the room. She
sought to be safe from herself, for
fiendish thoughts possessed her; and
longing for solitude and quiet, she
a ladder that led to the tiled
roof, and seeking the shelter of the
great chimney, sat down in its shadow
ann looked up at the sky. 1t was
calm and full of stars. Its peaceful
ness had an instant influence on her.
Repentent tears began to flow. She
prayed as simple children pray;
please make me goodm And all the
hate for Hulda left her breast, and
her love for Ned-her yearning, ach-
ing love for him-softened into a
sort of tender memory. She was still
sad. A painful humility crushed her
heart Il longing for love oppressed
her ; but When she had prayed for
herself, when she had striven with
.crself. the evil spirit had departed.
Soon, with her white. well-developed
arms under her head, she
slept upon the messy roof, under the
canopy of the stars.
AT last she began to dream. They
were going to church-Hulda and Ned
and she heard the wedding bells;
but going in at the door she saw, in
stead of gayly dressed guests, mourn
ers all in black and coffin before the |
altar, and gave IL scream and waken-
ed. Bells were ringing, but not we'd |
ding bells-the bells that tolled if |
there were any need of the men Of the |
place--if fire broke out, or robbers
were heard-of, or there were any riot
ing in the town. What could it |
meanP
Jean listened. A strange sobbng,
urging sound fell upon her ears.
Lights cleaned in all the houses of the
town. The truth flashed upon her.
\ ears before, her old grandmother had |
told her how the old sea wall had been |
washed away, and tide had risen and !
swept in upon them on that wild coast |
If LinCOlnShire CARVING with IL as IL |