Waterbury evening Democrat., 1890-09-17

 pupil.
 < You've been worried out" he pro no lnced. ''rhe children of that whole dis triet need killing. I've said so repeatedly. They're noisy, scandalous set"
 tOh, mo-" said Phoebe.
 "Yes, they do. Some of them ought to be skinned slowly and hung up in the sun to dry, Adam and Nose Guy, for instance"
 "Adam and Nose Guy ain't children" piped Orcutt, ''and they don't go to school any more"
 ttThey used to-" maintained the master.
 tT can't control myself very we'll" plead ed Phoebe, drying her face. "But nobody is to blame."
 'sShe has to carry too old head said Mrs. Barker, putting her guest in the gilt backed chair and spreading her napkin. s'She ought to be thinking of young folks and good time, and here she is worrying to save money, and studying Dutch between whiles. Next time you come, Mir. Barker shan't hold a school examination over you"
 "Do let him! How little shall ever know if Mir. BarkeF dees not train me. And l have been seeing young people" She began to tell about Psyche Fawcett, | and talked rapidly while the meal lasted. After supper the master and his son went into the twilight, chopped wood and 1 kindling, fed the pig, and carried fodder to | and tptiked the cow. In the midst of these
 
 reverberated among solemn trees with Old Hundred, Phoebe's voice and presence | broke into his hymn. She was standing | wrapped in her scarlet shawl ready to go home.n
 Goodnight, Mir. Barker. I must hurry this evening"" But you are not going home now. You are going to spend the evening, and may be l stay all night" ,,,a,xf ao;d TobnoIa "Wait till I've milked the strippings, | then," commanded the master. " You can't | go alone. It's dusk" But repeating goodnight, Phoebe was already on the path through the woods when | Mrs. Barker ran out of the cabin after her. | However, the master had scarcely carried his fFothing pails into the house when Mrs. | Barker came back, drawing her shawl to focus over her nose. ''She wouldn't let me go a piece with | her." said the masters wife. II don't know what possesses that child tonight" 1 She looked anxious as she hung her wrap 1 on the deer-antler.
 "I'n just step out and overtake her." said Mir. Barker. | Don't"
 But she oughtn't to go alone through the woods, ought she?"
 "She isn't alone, Ogre, dear. A man met her just out of the clearing. That's why 1 turned back. saw she wanted me to-" t'May be it was her brother, or one of the | neighbors' boys" 1t was a stranger. I took good look at | him. and enough worse looking he is than | her poor simple brother. l don't like it. l And her getting so excited before supper, as if she saw something out of the window l and all"
 q don't like it either,'' said the master, rubbing his grizzly head.
 The man took several steps beside Phoebe before either of them spoke. She drew her | shawl close around her and shrunk off from him, but she did not look directly at him, l but glanced sidewise, pickering her face in | anguish.
 He was a grotesque creature, with the various pieces of his clothing shabby and unmatched; but the most skillful of tailors could scarcely have nodded him in gar | ments suitable to his face. It was emaciated and withered, though neither by disease | nor age. One corner of his mouth twisted | downward as if in a continued jeer, and nervous spasms came and went over every atom of countenance which could be moved | and distorted. Whenever he became ex- cited in talk, this singular infirmity played faster and faster like evil lightning over his | face.
 ''well!" said Phoebe, in a high, agitated tone.
 "All right" said her companion. ''You saw me beckon to you through the window" :"
 "You know saw you"
 "You were long time getting out. If you hadn't come pretty soon I'd bolted in and asked for you"
 "I knew you would What do you want | now?''
 "What do I want noww mimicked the twisted mouth "When you ain't seen me for two years Where's Thorneys''
 IYaFz .f Al shaking girl. "Why can't you let us alone9"
 "What should I want to let you alone for. Ain't got my rightsr'
 "Your rights" said Phoebe, fiercely. 70, you wicked millstone; you want to drag us under forever. You know when l was sorry for you and tried to help you. But you can't impose on me any more. And I'll defend Thorney against you."
 "Oh, you willr'
 Phoebe began to sob aloud, swallowing piteously, and using her hands against her throat to press back the explosive sounds.
 'You look like defending any thingr' laughed the man. Don't do that, now. You never made any thing believing at me. Didn't you know I'd drop around some day?"
 ''Oh,yes, Il1new it-you always do-there's | no help-and no escape7"
 "Well, then, shut up your doleful racket. ain't going to hurt you"
 "No; I'm past being struck with your fist now-but never past being robbed and l shamed."
 The man broke off bit of bark and chewed it, as he kept pace with her.
 How much money have your he in- quired.
 "You'n dog Thorney and me just the same if give it to you. I've bought you of | for the last time"
 'You'n give me what money you have. Pm clear down. If you don't I'll make a stake the way you despise, and I'll take Thorney."
 Phoebe faced about, and they stood still, with the path between them.
 ''There's hundred other things can do, '' added the man, grinning. "You know you don't want to own me around here."
 'Not drop of my blood owns a drop o1 yours" burst out Phoebe. q have lived a blameless life. You do your worst. Iwon't | give you my earnings, and you will leave m V