Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1892-08-27
FROsTBURG, MD, SATURDAY, AUGUST -, 1892

arms from DONG wnat tlty filoSe folS
hoped lillie wouldn't see them.
But TiIIie did. She had gone behind
the vines at the end of the piazza and
watched the proceedings.
She could no longer keep silent. She
rushed to her mother and exclaimed:
MA. M. 10 Just look at MoIlir!
She, carry ing on AZ Il great rate it'll
that young mani Actually coaxed him
out to help her pick up chips! And
row she has got him at the clothes
line! My! 1never sa " such sham less
fir. Didn't tell you you'd find out
some day what she is?"
TiIlie was flushed and angry-angrier
than even her mother had ever seen her
before.
Mrs. Barber hurried to the kitchen
window. Yes, there they We're. M"liie
blushing and laughing, while Halstead
looked as if he were enjoying himself
decidedly. There as an ominous silence
in the kitchen for few moments. Then
Hastead deposited the basket, piled high
with snowy clothes, upon the doorstep to
keep company with the basket of chips,
and, lifting his hat gracefully to Molie,
disappeared by the vine covered porch.
They heard the back gate click and
thought he had gone out. Not so. lir
still stood near, thinking of pretty
Mollie.
You shameless critter!" cried Mrs.
Barber. "Is this what l have brung
you up for-to 60 an haunt yourself un-
der our very eyes, a-firtin' with Titles
lover in that way? Oh, saw you, you
horrid gal, settin' your cap at him an
coaxin' him out to pick up chips!"
Mrs. Barber paused to catch her breath.
Il amt a-goin' to put up with this
day longer. you selfish, good for -nothin',
lazy critter! You pack up this very nigh,
an leave this house tomorrow mornin',
rain or shine! Do you heart"
Mollie's bright face paed.
"Oh Aunt Barber, what have l done
I'm sure l haven't done any ything wrong.
| never meant to. And, truly, I've
worked as hard as could. don't want
Titles lover or anybody's lover, y
moaned poor Mollie, land l will 60 to.
morrow; will not stay here any
longer"
Mollie turned to go upstairs. Her tears
We're binding her eyes. She did not see
Halstead, but he had entered the door
and stood, pale and stern, listening to
what they were saying. Titles angry
sobs were sounding through the room.
Mrs. Barber"-Halstead's voice was
low with concentrated anger-"Miss
Mollie is not to blame. l went out there
unlimited. Don't blame her for what
did"
He turned abruptly towards Mollie.
"Please come here, Mollie." and he
held his hand towards her.
She shook her head feebly and CROPPED
for the latch, still blinded by her tears.
"Come!" This time there was some.
thing almost imperative in his tone. u
want to speak to you.
She passed out the open door into the
porch, while Tillie jumped up and shut
it W it'll vigorous bang.
"Mollie," said Halstead, "she said you
should go away from here. l wish you
would, and come to me. / love you,
dear, though / have only known you SO
short time. Are you afraid of me?'
he asked, as she shrunk from him a
little.
No." she said, softly.
will you trust yourself to me, Mol
lie? Surely | can't use you any worse
than Mrs. Barber!" He smiled little
at the last words. Somehow Mollie felt
like smiling, too.
Now, come around here to Aunt Vain
wright's room and talk this over" And
Mollie went
1t was arranged that they should all
leave the next morning, rain or shine, !"
as Mrs. Barber had said, and that Mollie
should stay with Mrs. Wainwright until
Halstead took her to their home 1t
was Mrs Barber's comments upon the
abrupt departure of the trio which led
Farmer Barber to repeat his exclama'
ton:
II declare! 1t does beat all natur'
where that woman got her tongue:"-
Chicago News.