Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1889-07-26

WAS Only lilTcr NcchS SihNO NASH "N-
Well. it shall never happen
again.
She stepped hastily TO one side, as
she took the resolve, To escape fast
team; and her foot slip
ped. She sat down on the grassy
edge Of the road, the next moment,
wincing with the sharp pain in her
ankle.
ITS sprained." she said to herself,
in dismay.
And when she tried, pluekily, to
walk on, the growing twinge con-
firmed her fear,
Hitty looked about helplessly.
There was a neat white house near
bv: and as she stood obviously re-
garding it, woman in calico dress
and apron came ont of il.
Il seen you from the the window"
she called out cheerfully. Hurt
your foot, hain't You! Jest wait till |
get you
She gave her an arm to lean on,
and they got into the house, rather
slowly. Hitty told her, as they went,
a. much of the story "a seemed nee
essary.
We'll, said the woman, Hospitality,
'all you've got to do is jest 10 wait
here till somebody comes along back
and takes you in that won't Ge till
afternoon. 'tain't likely. We amt
any team, or Id take you myself.
No, | hain't going to Upton. Don't
care a cent about ,heir doings, what
ever they be. oh, can keep you
Jest "a well "a not-you needn't say a
word
You're awful good said Hitty,
gratefully.
But she was in the lowest possible
spirits. She was thinking of Phil
Phil. working away, all alone, in the
orchard or the potato-tield, firm in
the belief that she was in Upton, en-
joying herself.
She half forgot her ankle. though
it forced itself upon her sharply now
and then. she worried so about Phil.
Nobody could have been kinder
than her impromptu hostess. She
pulled the big rocker close TO the fire
and put Hitty into it, and hustled
about in the kitchen over the dinner,
coming in frequently TO speak a
friendly word to her guest
4 lank man in IA working blouse
came in at dinner-time, aud added his
powers Of entertainment To those Of
his wife.
Hitty said yes and no, and laughed
when occasion required; but vision
of Phil, eating his cold beef and po
tatoes, lonesomely, from the cup
board shelf, kept rising before her,
dampening her enjoyment and spoil
ing her appetite.
well now" said her hostess, en-
couraging, "a she put away the last
dinner-di.h, and brought her chair
and her knitting to the fire, Il guess
il won't be a great while till some
body comes along. You want 10 have
your foot tended TO jest "a soon as
you get home. | know what n
sprained ankle is; guess you won't be
able to help your ma much for one
while. Married. Well, declare! /
shouldn't ha' thought it-a little slip
like YOU
She talked on pleasantly, turning
now and then to look out OF the win
dow for home bound vehicle.
Hitty watched, too, anxiousIy.
There" she cried at last. inter
rupting her entertainer in All account
OF the remarkable symptoms aud
sudden death OF her husbands sister
in-law by his first wife.
She got up and limped hastily to
the window. and gave little gasp Of
astonishmeut aud delight.
why, its PhiIY'' she said.
The driver. catching sight OF her,
stopped his horse and started at her.
shes sprainsd her ankle said her
hostess, speaking loudly, over her
shoulder: and she'd take il as "A great
favor If you'd jest give her a lift
home. No, no'-she interrupted Hit
tvs thanks. good-naturedIy-'1
hain't done anything to speak Of.
childg When you get out this way, !
hope you'll drop in and --
She paused abruptly, regarding
with astonishment the young driver,
who had come up the walk With long
strides, seized the girl in his arms as
she started TO limp down the steps;
and carried her out TO his buggy
Hitty clung to Pills arm with ten
der closrness. a. they drove away.
and poured her unhappy little history
into his eager ears.
Il was hurrying just a fast a. !
could. she said. vebemently 1T
was mean. bad thing TO 20 al all
when you couldn't-poOr old boy! l
never will do such a hVrrid thing
again.
There. amt going to have you
take all the blame" Phil interrupted.
You hain't asked how ! happened
out here? Well, | got To thinking
that mabbe Id ben crosser'n need
ed TO be about it. 30 ! just bitehed
up and pointed for Upton; aud when
couldn't find you anywhere. nor
the Patchins either, in all the rum
pus, come back home feeling pretty
blue, tell you. No, sir; 1t didn't pay
that little disagreement didn't We
won't have no more, Hitty-tbat's