Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1886-07-15

the back seat, and followed her win
lightning haste.
Not that way y she cried, Srasping
at the reins, rs Ezra would have head
ed for the highroad. Drive straight
to Squire Pulteney's. This gals q
thief Pm going to have her arrested
before she is Il day elder y
'Eh y said Ezra, staring from his
mother to Phoebe, and then back again.
She's stole my spotted pnngee hand
kerchef-my handkerchief that l
bought at bargain onGrandStreet this
very morning y shrieked Mrs. Pilking-
| ton.
It's-it's my handkerchief faltered
poor Phoebe, feeling as if she were in n
terrible nightmare from which there
was no awakening.
a likely story y clamored the en-
ragged housewife. I've always heard
| of the wiles and tricks of these city
minxes, but | never realized it until
now. Drive on, EZra-drive quick
She shall te lodged in the county jail
this very night !!
Are you sure you amt mistaken,
mothe p said kind Ezra, compassion
ating the look of pallid misery in the
young girls face.
Mistaken, indeed = shifted the old
lady. "Drive on, say Don't lose
any more time, or Squire Pulteney Will
have gone home for the night.
She her self took possession of the
reins and she spoke and chirrurped to
the horses.
But, mother-'pleaded Ezra.
Even as he spoke, however. poor
Phoebe, driven wild by vague terror and
an instructive desire to escape, had
flung herself from the wagon to the
ground.
'Stop-tor heavens sake. mother,
stop = shouted Ezra. Don't you see
that her dress is caught in the wheels"
The little horse stopped. He always
stopped, on general principles, when
eyer a suitable opportunity presented
itself and the very slightest whoa y
would invariably bring him to a dead
standstill.
Ezra sprang from the wagon to dis.
entangle the helpless figure in the dust
and Mrs. Pilkington scrambled after
with vague idea that PLebe might
yet get up and try to run away.
AS she jumped down her sa;chel fell
prone into the road, and bursting open
the overstrained latch, disgorged its
contents on the dewy grass of the road
I side, first and foremost among which
was-a spotted pongee handkerchief.
Good Land o. Moses y piously inter-
jected Mrs. Pllkington, If there amt
the drafted old pongee handkerchief,
arter all y
And she stared helplessly, first at its
prim and undisturhed folds, and then
at Phebeis handk erchief-exactly the
same in color, pattern and fabric.
She amt thief, arter all y said
Mrs. Pllkington, her whole nature o.
vel flooded by the rising tide of remorse.
Poor child and I'm afeard she's hurt
a-tryiu' to run away from nothing at
ALL
Phebe's ankle was slightly sprained,
that was all, and by this time she was
able to smile and answer kindly Mrs.
Pilkington's numerous questions and
condolences.
Can l ride home ? Oh, of course L
can = said she, In reply to Ezra's inter-
rogations. MY ankle is only the least
bit lame
Old Farmer Pilkington was anxious
ly looking out for them, when, consid =
erably later than he had expected, the
wagon drove up and Mrs. Pilkington
made haste to explain everything to
him.
And amt it queer said she, 'that
me and Phoebe should both hev bought
pongee handkerchief5 just alike on
Grand Street I If ever there was bar.
gains, they be ! Half yard square,
real China goods, with hem-'
'Fiddlesticks y said old Mr.. Pilking.
ton. If there's anything l hate, it's
bargains y
Little Phoebe Primrose stayed on at
the farm. She liked the daisies and
red clover. the sound OF running brooks
the smell of the cows breath. And
Ezra Pilkington liked her.