Fairhaven herald. [volume] (Fairhaven, Wash.) 1890-????, 1892-12-10

shes up already" she reported, re
| turning in few moments. perhaps She
| came down the front way n ez a-clearir
up the settin room, as 'twasn't put te,
rights last night"
"Delpbiny," called Mrs Long Justify
| "Delphiny, where be you? | warnt you
| to git breakfast"
But there was no response, and after re
| peated searching and calling the lady
finally decided that her daughter must
have run over 'tew Carolne's tew get the
sn0wdrop tabiecover, which she promised
to lend her for the important occasion SO
near at hand. Caroline said we'd got to
send for 1t early, 'coz she was goin tew the
Corner to spend the day, but there wasn't
no need OF sich dretful hurry. The stage
don't start till half past )" she remarked,
as she vigorously turned the crank of the
coffee mill. Barbary, still stationed under
the brass kettle, shifted loudly.
DelPhiRe heard it and quaked with fear
for Barbary never shifted without mean
ing. she gave utterance to volumes in this
peculiar, rasping, uncouth sound. Even
her mother WINGED before it, and Seth, a
lover, who hoped and despaired by turns,
was driven to the verge of suicide when it
was directed toward himself Could it be
possible that those sharp eyes had dscov-
cred her hiding placer
Mrs. Long wbisked into the kitchen,
slammlng the door after her. Barbary
turned toward Seth, who was listlessly
preparing food for a sick COW, and slowly,
carefully opened her mouth.
"Ruther queer at Delphiny should put on
her travelin dress N her best bunnet tew
go over t. Aunt Caroline's to borrer a table
kiverw
"Shol what a marster han fur kalilatin
you be, Barbaryp'
But you jist keep dark. Let Mis- Sam
find eout herself; she's baound tew afore
long, but hope 'twont be till the pore girl
glts well eout the way. | don't know ez
Use ever 'spressed my 'pinion freely afore,
but ha'n't no doubt but thet there elder,
piousity "A all, ez a reg Tar old crockerdile,
MIS- sam she's so masterful she runs on an
ldee at Delphiny wouldn't dare 20 a'gin
her commands n run away tew git rid Of
marryin him He may be kivered over
with the gospil shell, but Lor, there ha'n't
no more gospil inside or him than there ez
inside the skin or puff ball"
oh, Lordy." exclaimed Seth. aghast at
such bold heresy
Deiphine's three aunts were hastily sum
moned, and like Jobs comforters they
gave their opinions. Laws a massy," said
the afflicted mother, Ppm feared she's
gone and drownded herself. She's as like
her poor diseased pa as two peas"
EFF her pad been alive she wouldn't hev
been driven to this" said Aunt Jane Sc
verely.
The widows eyes flashed through hel
tears, but the only reply she deigned &C
give was TO rise with great dignity and
place her chair so that she SHOULD be seated
with her back squarely to the offender.
What's the elder a-goin T. dewYh ques,
TONED Aunt Jane after this very emphatic
pause.
Delphine strained her ears to hear the
reply to this direct question. 1t was Just
what she wished to inquire herself
He says it's his dooty to find her in spite
of everything, for fear if she ha'n't a'reddy,
she should fall under the infiourince of
some unconverted N ungodly person, p
stray eout ov the fold ov the gospil N the
paths of peace"
Here Barbary's sniff echoed loud and dis
tinct from some unseen corner. Mrs. Long
started. The four aunts turned and fixed
their eyes upon the help with severity.
What il he can't find herp queried
Aunt Loisy, swapping her needles.
The elders a terrible anderstandin
man ez WELLS a good man." remarked
Aunt Jane as If she had been contradicted,
and with her stern gaze still fixed in the
direction Of Barbary. quite ignoring Aunt
Loisy.
"Hev you looked everywhere raound
heref" came from Aunt Polly, who eyi.
IDENTIFY feared open war was near and was
anxious to avert it.
Eyes, everywhere; they're searching in
the woods now, | s'pose" sighed the widow
dismally
But, Lor. she ha'n't therei shouldn't
wonder if She was married TO Tom Bar
rington afore this time" said Aunt Loisy !
with an aggressive pucker.
The day passed Night came on and |
Barbara could get down and ease her |
limbs. The wedding day dawned |
and its hours wore on. Tom did not come. !
Delphine's heart grew heavy.
Late in the afternoon she heard her |
mothers quick, energetic step across the |
floor and pause in the open doorway. Foi /
some moments she stood there quietly. |
The crickets were singing dismally under |
the rude plank floor. A pale, amethystine
mist had settled round the distant hills.
The sun, which was near its setting, looked |
like great crimson wheel through the
thin, floating haze.
Delphine trembled in her hiding place.
but the next moment the sound of wheels
reached her and she saw some one driving
at breakneck speed. In two minutes more
Tom was standing before this startled pair,
demanding of them what they
had done with Delphine.
oh Lordy, hain't Delphiny with you
after ALP" screamed Barbary, rushing in
from the kitchen. "Oh, where kin the pore
girl be2 I've been consolin myself all the
while a-thinkin she wuz with you" And
Tor the first time in her life almost she burst
INTO tears.
Here am, Barbaryi Here am, Tomr'
poke Delphine cheerfully from the depths
VI the brass kettle. And now il you only
help me down, think all will be right"
"Oh, yeou wicked, wicked girl, to sceare
ne soF cried her mother. But Deiphine
heard nothing, saw nothing but Tom, who
lad her in his arms and was gazing into
Ter eyes. ~ was away from home when
Tour letter reached Stamford, Delphine,
mt have travelled ava1V tnoYoanf xv,fh I