Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1890-11-21
ZEPHYR'S DOLLAR.
BY AMY RANDOLPH.

Il l. lulA'
Mrs. Croft looked sharply up from the
butter she was working over in a wooden
bowl. She was one of those querulous,
complaining women whose very voice is
pitched in minor key.
"Where is zephyrl' she repeated,
..whv. whore should she be2 How do l
know. Staring out of the gauet window,
suppose. or picking yellow jOnquils at
the foot Of tae garden, or incoming away
her time in anything. but good, solid
work. never did see such shiftless
creetur'w
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.
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 fretting after her
mother yet"
"Humph!" said the woman. 81 do
ike 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 go to
work and earn her own living, and the
sooner she does it, the better! That's my
way of loo&in' 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.
"Sbe's down by the river bank, said
he "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 e1-
ceedipgly glad Of the privilege of hard
bed in Mrs. Croft's attic bedroom, and a
seat at the table, where cold pork was
served a deal oftener than hot sausagesl
As for sympathetic glances, words of
gentle consolation, those unobtrusive,
unstudied deeds of affection that are Of
ten sweeter than ary syllabled sentences
what right had she to expect suchs
Even if Mrs. Croft had known what such
things meant, which she didn't, she was
not very likely to waste them on her nus
bands penniless niece.
"Of all things" said Mrs. Croft, "de-
liver me from genteel paupers."
"Zephyrl" 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 yOu''
"zephyr, what are you doing here'"
81 don't know" the girl listlessly an
,wered.
.sThe airs kind o chill, for all the sun
shines so high, said Mr.. Croft, anxious
". 81 dunno as I'd stay here, if 1 was
YOU, Zephyr. I'd go back to the house
and keep your aunt company, or help
Miranda Jane with her quiltin'."
Zephyr smiled.
"Mv aunt and don't seem to be much
company for each other, Uncle Croft. )"
said she; saud did try to help Miranda
Jane; but she says my stitching and hers
don't match at all. ~
Zephyr" " said the good man, with
troubled air, I'm afraid you amt real
happy here on the farm"
mo, uncle, l am not, Zephyr frank
" admitted; 'but it ISN'T your fault. It's
the fault of circumstances, and Of myself,
I suppose. l am like fish out of water
CT poor butterfly drowning in the sea.
Don't look so distressed, uncle" Qaying
her soft. flushed cheek against his hand);
"thiDgs will right themselves after
while; they always do. But in the
meantime, with a soft, appealing look,
scould you lend me dollarl / am so
poor, SO very poor, haven't penny of
my own in all the worldp
Mr.. Croft's countenanee grew more
disturbed than ever.s
"well, l swan to goodness If that amt
too bad !" said he. al gave mother the
last money had to pays years subscriP-
tiou to the Missionary Trumpet, and ]
don't Exactly ike to ask her to give it
back
"No, uncle, don't do that said
Zephyr.
"But, Ltell ye what, my girl, said
the farmer cheerily, "the very next sill
yer dollar that comes my way, you shall
have"