The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-11-12
ZElHYR'S DOLLAR.
BY AMY RANDOLPH.

UONl. SuC MdS OuS VI Ihose lueEuIOus,
complaining women whose very voice is
pitched in minor key.
"Whcre is Zephyr?" she repeated,
''why, where should she be9 How do 1
know. Staring out of the gar1et window,
I suppose, or picking yellow jonquils at
the foot of the garden, or incoming away
her time in anything but good, solid
work. I never did see such a shiftless
creetur'!'
And Mrs. Croft gave the golden mass
of butter slap first in this direction, and
then in that, as if she were boxing some
body's ears.
1.-THE place is strange to her yet, "apol-
ogized Mr.. Croft. "When she gets used
to things, she'll be different. You see
she hasn't got over frettiug after her
mother yet"
''Humph!" said the woman. ~ do
like people to show little common sense !!
She'd ought to know that no amount of
fretting can bring back any one that's
dead and buried! She's got to 60 to
work and earn her own living, and the
sooner she does it, the better! That's my
way of lookin' at it,"
And she glared grimly after her de-
parting husband, as he meekly withdrew
into the porch.
"Zephyr!" he called, softly, down the
garden path, "Zephyr!"
There was no answer. The sunshine
was stepping the grass in gold. On the
sheltered slope south Of the wall one
might tread on blue carpet of violets.
Farmer Croft shaded his eyes with one
hand.
"She's down by the river bank" said
be. "Strange how she likes to set there,
and stare at the water goin' by"
Yes, Zephyr Lowell was very discon-
tented, very ungrateful, of course.
Ought not any girl to rejoice and be ex-
.ceedingly glad of the privilege of hard
bed in Mrs. Croft's attic bedroom, and a
seat at the table, where cold pork was
served deal oftener than hot sausages2
As for sympathetic glances, words of
gentle consolation, those unobtrusive,
unstudied deeds of affection that are Of
ten sweeter than auy syllabled sentences
what right had she to expect such3
Even if Mrs. Croft had known what such
things meant, which she didn't, she was
not very likely to waste them on her hus-
bands penniless niece.
.;Of all things" said Mrs. Croft, "de-
liver me from genteel paupers."
''Zephyr!" the good farmer called
once more, as he neared the tall reeds and
rushes that fringed the river shore; and
a tall, slight figure, like an Undine,
started up.
';Yes, uncle; is it youl"
"Zephyr, what are you doing here2"
II don't know" the girl listlessly an
swcred.
1.-THE airs kind O. chill, for all the sun
shines so high" said Mr.. Croft, anxious
ly. 81 dunno as I'd stay here, if I was
you, Zephyr. I'd 60 back to the house
and keep your aunt company, or help
Miranda Jane with her quiltin'."
Zephyr smiled.
s'My aunt and I don't seem to be much
company for each other, Uncle Croft"
said she; ssand I did try to help Miranda
Jane; but she says my stitching and hers
don't match at ALL"
"Zephyr," said the good man, with a
troubled air, "I'm afraid you amt real
happy here on the farm"
=, tho, uncle, I am not, Zephyr frank
" admitted; "but it isn't your fault. It's
the fault of circumstances, and of myself,
suppose. I am like fish out of water
or a poor butterfly drowning in the sea.
Don't look so distressed, uncle" Qaying
her soft, flushed cheek against his handl;
"things will right themselves after a
while; they always do. But in the
meantime" with soft, appealing look,
"could YOU lend me dollar2 am so
poor, SO very poor, haven't q penny OF
my own in all the worldl"
Mr.. Croft's countenancc grew more
disturbed than ever.
"Well, swan to goodness if that amt
too bad!" said he. II gave mother the
last money had to pay years subscrip-
ton to the Missionary Trumpet, and l
don't Exactly like to ask her to give it
back"
mo, uncle, don't do that" said
Zephyr. -,
but, I tell yc what, My girl" said
the farmer checrily, "thc very next sill
yer dollar that comes my way, you shall
have"
Zephyr stood on tip-toe to kiss her
uncle, but she said nothing. Side by
side they walked up the broad garden
path where the tiger-lilies were growing
up, side by side, past the hyacinths and
narcissus cumps jostling each other in
fragrant strife. On the threshold they
met an old woman with prodigious
cap-frill and spcctacles like moons.
"Hcre's the dollar we owe your folks
for vinegar, Neighbor Croft" said she.
81 guess you thought it never was COM
ino. But we've just got pay for them
vests me and Melindy have been workin
on"
mo hurry, Mis- jenkins, no hurry, ,
said Mr.. Croft, good -humoredly.
And as she tottered of, he turned to hi:
niece: .,
"see, Zephyr, there's your money!
said be. Everything comes, fwe've
got patience to wait for it.
"And I hain't no patience with you
Daniel Croft!" screeched shrill voice
in the petulant, complaining accents o.
Mrs. Croft herself, who CHANGED to bt
IL - hat n