The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1889-02-27

young companion more than she would
have been willing to confess.
"Well, I've done il, and there's an end
of the natter said Libby, with rebel
lious toss of her head. $50 there's no use
in lecturing me- Uncle Tom shall find
out that I'm not entirely without resour-
ces. a hundred dollars for the story be
sides all the fame it will bring me, Alice,
$40 for the plum jam -and there, you see,
is enough to buy quite neat little trous-
seau for marrying the widower. People
don't launch out with silk dresses and
dozens of underelothes, as they did, and
Libby urged Miss Markham, @are
you really in earnest ?''
Libby broke out into little hysterical
laugh.
~Alice," said she, 1--WE thought of
nothing else, and dreamed of nothing
else for week. And it's strange-so
strange that | never haze received an
answer 10 any of the three communica-
tionsI"
Just then little Tommy, the youngest
hope of the house of Morse, came trot-
ting across the scar meadows.
.Oh. took here, Lib " said he. "The
storekeeper he's found lot OF letters as
got hid away under the mealbags, where
they was sortin' the mail on Thursday.
They calculate as Pete, the puppy, done
it-he's chuck iull of mischief and tricks,
and the storekeeper he give me lemon
ball il I'd take these to you. was lick
in the inside of the molasses keg with
Johnnie Piper and Sam Stokes, under the
cC unter"-
Libby grasped the letters, and even by
that imperfect light Alice could see the
snow and crimson chasing each other
across her face.
They were already inside the little
gate, and Libby caught at her conpan.
ions arm with nervous haste.
'.Let us go up stairs to your room. Al
ice" she whispered. There is always
such a swarm of children in the keeping
room, one never can have moment to
ones self Besides, there is only that
lamp in the house, and can't read by
candle light"
Side by side, in the school teacher,
apartment, by the light of the Pickering
strong scented kerosene lamp, Libby and
Alice opened the letters.
The first, whose envelope bore the
stamp of the Titusfeld Literary Clarion
was brief enough. The editor regretted
that Miss Morse's manuscript had prov
ed unsnited TO his columns. but would re
turn it to her address on the receipt o
sufficient postage stamps TO defray the
cost of transportation by mail.
There's an end of that" cried Libby
very passionately, tearing the letter il
two and fiinging its fragments on th'
ground.
The second was an elegantly writer
note on scented and monogramed pape
/ from the Secretary Of the Woman's Bar
ter establishment, stating that Mis-
Morse. kind favor, per the Rackawaxei
Railroad Express, had been sampled .anc
had unfortunately proved to be below th'
standard which the establishment ha,
set up. The box awaited her orders, an,
( Mrs Cieraidps Geoffreys remained her
truly, etc, etc.
"It's all nonsense ~ cried breathles
Libby. Standard of excellence, indeed
It's all favoritism. There's a ring =
know there is The whole thing ough
IA be exposed through the newspapers.
The third letter was brief esough
was from well known lawyer in Ney
York. stating to Miss Elizabeth Mors
that her communication, together witt
numerous Others, had been found anon
the effects Of notorious swindler, wh
had fed from justice about week pre-
viously. 1t was returned to her with
well meant warning to avoid such trap
in the future. Most of his dupes, it wa
stated, had inclosed money, rings an
photographs to him, but she was fortun
ately among the exceptions.
Poor Libby She burst into angr
tears. With her head bowed ON Alice
shoulder.
ooh, Alice she cried, what fool
i have been"
And Miss Markham was endeayorin
to console her, when Tommy came elai
tering up the stairs to shout at the key
hole that supper was ready, and marr
had been frying fapiaeks, and there wa
some real maple molasses on the table
better than that on the inside Of the kei
at Billings store y f
Alice went down. She knew that
would give mortal otfense to Mrs. Morse
house sifely pride to neglect this sum
mons; but Libby flung hood over he
head and rushed out into the cool nigh
air.
Il couldn't speak to any one just now,
she pleaded. you'll keep my secret, A
ice, won't your
Just there at the gate stood Job Lind
ley, black shadow against the starlight
Libby
It was all that he said, but the on
word was 50 full of devotion, allegiance
tender appreciation. that Libby stoppe
involuntarily.
1t was healing balm to her hurt spiri
and wounded pride.
81 was coming 20 ask you TO go
Swope's Corners with me tonight sal
he. There's to be concert there, an
but is anything the matter, Libby ?" h
asked, checking himself in mid-explans
ton.
"Yes, job, should like to 60" sal
Libby. FITS very good of you to as
me.p
"But you're in some sort Of troubl'
Libby exclaimed Job. You've bee