Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1891-04-09


The long storm in August set In next
day. A fine. close drizzle vailed the
world by seven O'Clock. At $50, the
twins and Fanny needed their water
proof cloaks for the walk TO school. by
noon the patter on the piazza roof ana
falling floods upon lawn and garden
and streets were slow, but abundant IL
was scrubbing day and closet day, and,
as Hester fretted sometimes to method
zeal Mary Ann on Friday-"all the rest
of the week." below stairs. hetty had
to prepare q dessert and to set the lunch
table. Before going down she made up
a little Are in the sewing-roonl. and put
ont Hester's color box, glass OF water,
stretching board. paper and easel, with
in easy reach, should she decide TO use
them. Silently. and not too suggestive
ly, she set upon the table near by vase
containing some fine specimens OF the
moccasln flower sent in by May Gill
| christ with a note addressed to queen
Nab" Hester hated hints, but II she
lacked study she would not have to
look far for it
IL was "a bad day" with her. Her
mother attributed it partly to her disap-
pointment at not seeing her crony
teacher.
Hetty, who had put the excited child
TO bed as soon as she got into the house
the night before, held her peace. Mrs.
wayt. lowering from nursery and her
husbands chamber to the sewing-room,
saw that in her taciturn daughter 5
countenance that warned and kept her
aloof. Another of Hester's biting say
inrs was that her mother, on the day
succeeding one of her spouses' "seiz-
ures- was "betwixt the devil and the
deep sea" She never admitted, oven 70
her sister. that dear Percy" was more
than unfortunate. yet read the girls
disapprobation in averted looks and stu
diously commonplace talk.
Wan and limp the cripple reclined
among the cushions Iletty packed about
her in her wheeled chair. Blue shad.
ows ringed mouth and eyes, and
stretched themselves in the followed
temples; the deft fingers were nerve
less. Most OF the time she seemed tc
watch the rain under dropping eyelids
so transparent as to show the dark iride'
beneath.
At half past eleven her mother stole
in like a bit of drifting down.
Dear, have promised papa to go VI
to your room and lie down for half al
hour. Annie is with him. She amusel
him. and will be very good, she says
told her to let you know II she wanted
any thing. May leave the door open
She can not turn this stiff bolt"
Annie was one OF Hester's veal
points Baby" never made her nervous
and impatient. and much Of the littl'
ones precocity was due to intimate com
partnership with the disabled sister
whose plaything she was.
'Yes. All rightfr murmured Hester
closing her eyes entirely.
She was deathly pallid in the uncol
ored gloom Of rainy noon
''Or-if you feel like taking a ma
yourself2" hesitated Mrs Wayt
. Tactful with her husband, and tende
with all her house; bold. she yet hal
the misfortune often to rub Hester's fu
the wrong way. The delicately pencile'
| brows met over frowning eyes
mol mol you know | never sleep 4
t the dayi II you would never bottle
} yourself with my peace and comfort
} mamma, we would be on better terms
am not a baby. OF a-husbandl~
/ She was not sorry for her ill-humor Q
) for the long gap between the last articl
: and noun when left to herself
/ She lay upon bed Of thorns, each G
= which was endued with intelligent v
tality. Earth was waste Heave
4 had never been Hate herself for it a
i she might she had never. in all her ru,
- awfefr~1o t~r4rrr-, 50 -