The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1886-08-31


prepared so carefully, and TO which
She called her sister exactly IS the
clock struck twelve. Rose day never
interfered with Infants duties. Her
conscience acquitted her of shirking.
Often in dead winter-timc, when the
snow piled up, and EnoS RObb's family
settled down To- the enjoyment of colds
and rheumatism, she fed all the stock
herself
Rilla turned her back on Infants
several approaches. and dipped I've
with savagely noisy gourd TO quench
Infants voice. Slugs and ants in the
roses were no drawback 1t all To rose
day compared To Rills. Habits of en-
durance become proof armor TO ones
sensibilities in the course OF life, how
ever, so Infant wandered off and alb
sorbed the beauty of that day almost as
completely as if she did so with Rilla's
approval There was a tremulous heat
over the meadows. The huge and
strictly tended garden was a world by
itself. Beyond that stretched their
orchard, having a run of clear water
winding through it. all thickly tufted
along the margins with mint. Infant
stepped upon the spOngy aichenS OF the
fence and rested her arms upon the top
rail. while she looked along the narrow
country thoroughfare. The sweet green
world WAS dear enough to be pressed in
her arms. Mingled mint and rose
scents were satisfying. The noble
strength of their Norman colts paStur-
ing in the stock meadow was beautiful
TO the eve. Infant loved To hear the
pounding of those tIfted feet, and To
notice the brilliant blacknesS or gray
dappling of the young creatures coats
glistening in the sun. She did not ex-
pect any thing more unusual to happen
on this rose day than her rebellion
against Rilla and the splendor of the
weather.
But who should come riding sudden
ly along the road. a if he had an APP
pointment with Infant and meant TO
keep il the moment she set her foot on
the rail. but Honorable Truman Con-
dit. who many years before rode As IN
simultaneously out of her sight? She
knew him in a flash, although his hair
showed gray around the ears, and much
experience had added unspeakably To
his personality. He was on Condit
horse evidently riding around to look
at hi> old neighborhood. There was a
great tribe of the Condits, all well-tO-
do, high-headcd people. Honorable
Truman had been the local smart
Young man of his generation. He was
sent 10 the State Legislature before his
thirtieth year and afIerward he went
H. ri hn a
mendouS things.
She was suddenly conscious that her
rose-studded braid was not wound up
in a decent lump rs she wore it before
her class of young ladies i'm Sunday
school. She felt contemplate and out
% her place in the human procession,
although the Honorable Truman turned
his horse straight into the fence corner
TO shake hands with her.
Pretty nearly the same Infant Bald
win," he remarked. But L do see
some lines on your face.
81 suppose I've vegetated instead oil
lived all the time YOU have been doing
so much" said Infant.
.'Oh, haven't been doing so much. "
I'VE heard YOU had"
1--WE means Rilla and YOU. And you
didn't marry?"
No" said Infant, feeling it sting
ing indignity that he should mention
it. after that courtship 80 long ago
buried. He had married. and raised a
family out West. Rilla was probably
right when she said one woman was
the same Is another To a man.
..And how is Rilla? J. she as hard
on YOU as she used TO De?
.sOh. Rilla was never hard on me.
She is quite well, thank YOU. You're
coming up To the house tn make us a
call and take tea. aren't YOU?
Il thought would"
Infant looked anXiouSly at the Yves
tering sun. She hoped Rilla would
have the cold soap cut into cakes and
boxed, and herself bathed, clothed and
in her right mind. before Honorable
Truman Condit rode up to their door
II want Ia have a talk with YOU first
though" he added. And my way is
to go right to the point. Why did you
3, never marry?
Come 10 that" retorted Infant, 8
sparkle breaking through her face
''why did you marry?"
In the first place, because you
wouldn't have me, and in the second
place, because | found a very goOc
wife where | went. I've been a wild
over now several years. and the boy:
are settled. I'm loose from bushes.
for almost the first time in my life, anC
back here to look at the old neighbor
hood before spending some year.
abroad. Your never marrying has re
avived certain things. May he You W
forgotten.
Among her other thoughts. lntan
was conscious of recoilecting how Otter
she bad wished TO 60 abroad If onl,
some happy friend could 60 along as
cushion betwixt Rilla and her. Sh
unfastened with Il furtive hand the rOs
rope wound about her, but. unwillin:
| m Let so MANY precious roses co, gath