Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1885-09-04
90 No, Of course not, said the poor

pa 2" said Seraphina, after the some
what frugal supper. as she took
down the milking pail. Its raining
a little, and the cows haven't come
home from pasture yet"
"TlI go after them, Phiny," said
the farmer. starting up with alacrity.
" With your rheumatism I? No,
indeed" said Seraphina. What
can have become Of the cloak? I'm
sure left it here this morning"
If had pair of eyes, I'd use
them said Mrs. Foxglove, coming
to the rescue and viewing the row of
empty pegs with an eagle glance.
" Well, declare! Nehemiah" !"
turning to her husband, that comes
of leaving you to keep house. You
must have gone off and left the doors
open, and some tramp has got in and
robbed u.s.
II did just step out to the wood
pile for some more logs" said the
farmer, thankful for the avenue of
escape that was open to him. "But
I wasn't gone long"
That's it," said Mrs. Foxglove,
with a tone OF conviction; that's it! i!
I do wonder at you, Nehemiah! Any
four-year-old child would have
known better. I shall count all nv
silver spoons at once"
The farmer wriggled uneasily in
his cushioned rocking chair.
I" 1 wish old Mrs. Waterman had
been in Jericho, before she came
herer' he said to himself. "I wish
Philena would stay at home and look
after things herself. It will be the
]ast time I ever get caught in that
trap!"
Meanwhile pretty Seraphina, sing
ing softly to herself, folded an old
stripped shawl around her taper
shoulders, and went out to the pas
lures after the truant company OF
cows.
Old Tulips bell was jangling
among the silver-stemmed birches
on the bleak hill; but Seraphina loi-
tered unnecessarily on tho bars, and
paused q minute at the foot.bridge
that spanned brawling brook.
All was still and dusk; q certain
frosty sweetness was in the Autumn
air, and the only visible person was
a woman farther down the brook.
who was dipping out water.
Suddenly there was another step
strong, swift and full of purpose
grinding down the brittle branches
and dead leaves in its progress.
Seraphina's eyes frightened; q
vivid color rose into her cheeks.
There he comes, nowp she mur-
INJURED. "There comes Georgew
To her surprise and dismay, how.
ever, the cavalier did not come IN
the hill. but stayed his steps beside
the other woman below.
i" He is throwing his arms around
her neck" thought indignant Sera-
phina. HE is-yes, he is actually
kissing her! Are men absolutely
without truth and faithfulness this
age Of the world E? But I don't
care. Why should I care? I'm
sure it don't matter to me-"
No more meditation-passing for
the COWS Seraphina hurried them
home, and finished the milking in
less time than it had ever taken her
before.
She was just carrying in the foam
ing pail when a tall figure ap-
preached.
+" Seraphinar'
"Pray don't trouble yourself to
speak to me, sir" said Seraphina
with toss of the head. "Or if you
do, please call me Miss Foxglovew
And Seraphina vanished through
the kitchen door.
What's the matter, Phiny ?"
said her mother, noticing the girls
quick movements and heightened
color.
Nothing, ma" said Seraphina.
1t was getting toward nine o'clock,
and Mr.. Foxglove had already in
dulged in one or two surreptitious
maps, as his wife read the newspaper
aloud in monotonous accents, and
Seraphina darned stockings, when
there came knock at the door.
Mrs. Foxglove opened it. There
stood the Widow Waterman, with
her limp bonnet and inevitable sniff.
81 hope I'm not intruding," said
Mrs. Waterman, but here's the
brown bombazine cloak, Mr.. Fox
glove and, humbly thanking you all
the same, I'd rather not wear it."
"Eh ?" said Mr.. Foxglove in
amazement.
cit was very kind of you to give
it to me-" went on Mrs. Waterman,
to the utter and total discontinue
of the poor farmer, but there's
some things as human flesh and
blood can't bear, and to have Dea-
con Pullaby's son asking il be could