West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1889-07-11
She said 50 with a sharpness oqualing

ms own.
well, said Phil, bending over his
husks again, ''all l know is that haip,t
any time TO spcnd traipsing over to Tin.
ALL"
''It don't make any difference. INV
wanting to gol" cried Hitty. "Yon
don't care for me-"
she pressed corner of her apron TO
her eyes, sobbingly, and ran into the
house.
Ola Mrs. Pierce witnessed tho proceed
ing from behind her blinds. and re-
counted 1t to Miss Gardner next day.
thought to myself that something
was wrong" she declared. $50 last
night just stepped in minute With my
mending; and, sure enough, il was lest as
plain as day that there'd ben some sort
OF a fuss between 'em. Hitty didn,t saw
Two words to Phil the hull time; and
PM he took his lantern, long about
eight o'clock, and went off 10 the barn.
and he hadn't come in when / come
home. | told you how 'twould be,
didn't II"
We'll, WELT" said Miss Gardner.
sadly convinced.
You haint changed your mind about
going to Upton, s'poseln said Hitty.
stopping Phil somewhat timidly, as he
was leaving the breakfast table the next
morning.
'No, ] hain't, y said Phil, rather shortly
he had not expected revival of the
subject. ''If you're so set on it, YOU can
go; but you'll have TO leave me 10 home ~
Hitty frowned. She had intended TO
give 1t all up peaceably-she had meant
TO tell him so; but his sharpness scattered
her good resolves 10 the winds.
81 was thinking" she said, with equal
coolness-she had thought Of Il only that
instant--''that / might 90 with the
Patchins if you amt going. guess they'd
take me along"
She was sorry the moment she had
said it; for Phil looked hurt and aston
ished. But he recovered himself promptly.
and angrily.
81 presume they would, !" he said, turn
ing toward the door. 81 hain't the least
doubt of it."
He strobe away rapidly.
I'm leave your dinner right in the
cupboard" Hitty called after him, ''and
I'll be home before support"
Hall an hour later she was closing the
front gate behind her, and hurryino down
the road toward the Patchins's, looking
very pretty in her new brown siIk-her
wedding dress.
She was trying to make herself believe
that she was in extremely good spirits
but the task was rather difficult. II
seemed strange to be going on and leav
ing Phil in that way. But then he miptt
have gone. Apples and potatoesl ns
though he couldn't have left them for n
day. Certainly he couldn't have expected
her to stay at home on account of them
she had been quite right not TO.
The Patchinss sleek white horse, har
messed TO their big, dusty old carriage,
was nibbling the grass at the gate. The
Patchins themselves, pleasant faced old
couple, were just coming out of the house
in their Sunday clothes. They looked
inquiringly at Hitty.
'I'm going to beg ride to Upton, "
said the girl, smiling.
They were old friends, and she was
sure of a welcome.
The old couple looked puzzled Mrs.
Patchins frankly expressed her wonder.
"Why, where's Phill" she said.
''He amt going" Hitty responded,
hesitatingly. "He-he said he had too
much to do"
"Well, well, git right in" said the old
man, pleasantly. oven be glad to have
you along"
His wife echoed the invitation. and
Hitty climbed in. But If each had said
in so many words, ''Why are you going
there7" their thought could hardly have
been palmer, and her heart sank a
little.
Nor did the pretty drive serve 10
Tighten it. She tried to shake off her
discomfort-she was sure It was unreason-
able; but she was feeling rather doleful
at the end of the fourth mile.
"Guess there1l be considerable MANY
there, said Mr.. Patchins, as they ratified
along.
Indeed, they were in the midst of
long line Of vehicles, all bound for Upton.
Everybody had word for them as they
passed or were ovortaken.
''Why, Hitty Bruce" cried Amanda
Black--one of Hitty's best friends turn
ing to shake finger at her. an pretty
state Of affairs Where's Phil7"
Hitty reddened painfully. Everybody
was saying the same thing. Had she been
wrong 10 comet
"Well, swan ~ said bluff Sam Crosby.
looking backward quizzically over the
grapes on his wife's bonnet. nYou
don't mean to say you've left him already.
Hittyi / declare for'tl"
He laughed joyially.
Hitty dropped her eyes to her lap she
was on the verge Of tears. Then she
suddenly laid hand on the lines, and fhc
white horse stopped.
'I'm going back, " she said--,T never
ought to have come ct all, and I'm 0oinf.
back.
Mercy, childl" said the old lady. re
monstrautly. "Why, we're most
miles from homer'
'I've walked more than five miles
plenty Of times, said Hitty, sprinqina
from the carriage. "No, moi / caa'f
go on 20 Tipton-I shan'tl"
She waved her hand 10 the astonislcd
old couple, and walked away
Il was surprising how much better she