Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1892-04-29

4
putting patches on old garmentsl One
thing I'm determined on-I won't q
near the house all the time those board
ers are there. If mother will take EN-
she must wait on 'em herself ANT
neither will consent to use cent o
the wretched money they pay. And as
for going to sleep at Aunt Betsys,
simply WON'T"
When the moon rose, orange-gold anc
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 grill She fancied herself the
most miserable being in the world.
''Mr. Belford, eh2" Mrs. Mills had
come to the door in bewildered way.
"Proud to make your acquaintance, sir,
I'm sure but didn't noways look for
you before tomorrow morning. Rid
over a-horseback, did youl Oh, no, il
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. Martha! Martha!
Where is the chiIdl l do b'lievc she
gone to Aunt Betsy Billingses already.
Just like Martha. She never was DC
calculator
Matty Mills, however, was not so fal
distant as her perturbed mother imag-
ined
She had slipped in at the back door
of the barn, patted the red COW who
stood ruminating 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 a hesitating 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 divan.
"Who's therel' she called. "Jim-
oh, jim! Don't be frightened, it's me
Matty. I'm hiding from mother. We've
had difference Of opinion. Mother has
taken four horrid, stupid ministers to
board for a wcek-it's some kind Of
convention, Jim-and-Oh, do wait a
minute"
She swung herself lightly over the
beam and aIighted, like a huttcring,
bright crested bird, on the floor of tue
barn.
"Oh, jim, if you only knew"
IL beg your PARDON spoke quiet,
composed voice, in the deep, well-modu-
lated tones that bespeak much practice,
"but l think there must be some mis-.
take. Mrs. Mills sent me here to mt up
my horse. I'm afraid l am one of the
-four horrld minister's But l assure
you
Matty caught up the barn lantern and
held it on a level with his face.
"why," she exclaimed, otis Mr..
Beresfordi7
"That is my name. Aud you are
Matty Mills" said stranger, a sudden
light of recognition illuminated his face.
"But, il 1t is an allowable question
how on earth came you herel"
"In the most natural way in the
world. live here. And youl"
81 am here TO attend the convention y
''Mr. Beresfordl'
"AIiss Matty!"
"Are you a-ministerl"
al have that honor, Miss Mqtty."
"It can't be possible"
"Why shouldn't it be possibIel Al
though you, perhaps, were not aware Of
it, was a theological student when l
met you in Massachusetts,. Yes, Miss
Matty," with a mischievous nod of the
head, "it's an incontrovertible fact.
am one of the four horrid ministers"
Matty lowered her lantern.
MAY l ask your elrand at the barnl"
said she, in an altered voice. Though
perheps my mother sent you to find
mel"
"No. She told me to come here to
put up my horse; he is waiting cut
side"