The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1892-04-21
for going to sleep at Aunt Bctsy's,
Il.


simply won'tw
When the moon rose, orange-gold and
glittering through the branches Of the
butternut tree, Matty was still sitting
there, her elbws resting on her knees,
and two bright tears on her cheeks.
Poor girl She fancied herself the
most miserable being in the world.
"Mr. Belford, ehi" Mrs. Mills had
come to the door in bewilderod way.
"Proud to make your acquaintance, sir,
I'm sure: but didn't noways look for
you before tomorrow morning. Rid
over horseback, did you7 Oh, no, II
amt no inconvenience to me--not the
least I'll get you bite o. supper
dreckly, If you'll just lead your horse
down to the barn at the foot of the lane.
We don't keep no boy, but you'll find
hay and oats handy. Martial Martial
Where is the childl ! do b'lieve she's
gone to Aunt Betsy Billingses Already.
just like Martha. She never was no
calculatorl'
Matty Mile, however, was not so far
distant as her perturbcd mother imag-
incd.
She had slipped in at the back door
of the barn, patted the red COW who
stood ruminatng in her stall, made her
self cosy little nest in the fragrant hay
up stairs, and, lighting the old lantern,
sat down TO read.
Suddenly there came hcsitating foot.
step on the threshold outside.
The door opened. Matty started from
her book. She leaned over the big
beam, all fringed with hay, which made
the partition of her impromptu divau.
"Who's therel" she called. "Jim-
oh, Jiml Don't be frightened, it's me
Matty. I'm hiding from mother. We've
had n difference of opinion. Mother has
| taken four horrid, stupid ministers to
board for week--it's some kind of
convention, Jim-and--Oh, do wait a
mnute"
She swung herself lightly over the
beam and aIighted, like 1uttering,
bright-crested bird, on the floor of the
barn.
"Oh, jim, il you only knew"
al beg your PARDON spoke quiet,
composed voice, in the deep, well-modu
lated tones that bCspoak much practice,
"but ] think there must be some mis-.
tako. Mrs. Mills sent mc here to put up
my horse. I'm afraid | am one of the
-four horrid Minister'S But l assure
you"
Matty caught up the barn lantern and
held it on u level with his face.
"why," she exclaimed, "it's Mr..
Bercsrordl"
"That is my name. And you are
Matty Mills" said stranger, sudden
light OF recognition illuminated his face.
"But, IL 1t is an allowable question
how on earth came you herep
"In the most natural Gay in the
world. l live here. And PouW
az am here to attend the fonvenhis "
"Mr. Bcresfordp VI
"Miss Matty"
"Are you Administer"
al have that honor, Miss Matty." q
at can't be possiblel"
"Why shouldn't it be possiblol AL.
though you, perhaps, were not aware Of
it, was Il theological student when
met you in Massachusetts,. Yes, Miss
Matty, with miN q JUS not fthA
head, Af..l.evatible fact. i
am one OF the four horrid ministers"
Matty lowered her lantern.
''May ask your eIrand at the barna"
said she, in an altered voice. "Though
perheps my mother sent you to find
met"
"No. She told me TO come here to
put up my hoise; he is waiting cut
side"
"Oh, poor fellow, he must be very
tired!" said Matty, hurriedly, hanging
the lantern on a hook. "Open the big
door, Lead him into one of the empty
stalls. Not that side. Bassie is there
the cow--and she isn't used TO horses"
With quick, deft hands, the girl tossed
down an armful OF hay into the manger
and showed Mr.. Beresford where to find
the painted pail wherewith to bring
water from the well, and then leaving
the lantern as guide, she vanished.
Mr.. Beresford smiled quietly as he
made his horse comfortable, and then re-
turned to the house, where Mrs. Mills
had prepared an appetizing repast. But
when he went to bed at ten o'clock there
was no sign OF Matty's return.
Mrs. Mills herself hurried over to Aunt
Betsy's house in the morning.
"Where's Marthal" said she. ''I want
her."
"Marthyi" echoed Aunt Betsy, put
ting one hand behind her ear after the
fashion of deaf people. "What about
Marthyl She amt been here"
"Then where is shel" cried Mrs. Mills.
"How should l knowi" counter.lues-
toned Aunt Betsy, irritably.
"She was always as full Of kinks as a
clothesline on wet daym sighed Mrs.
Mills. al guess I'll jest have to do the
best can without her. She was dread
ful opposed to my boardin' the four rev.
erends; but guess my willis as strong as
her'n. I'll get along somehow, and
Martha shan't have cent of the money