The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1893-05-05

hazel eyes told OF wealth. oil sun III
their clear depths; while the face was
bcautifed by an expression OF CAIN
serenity, gained by passing through
some of the troubled waters Of life. Inc
beauty aud grace of youth were sun
hers, for she had scarcely reached heT
Both birthday. She had seen Danlel
Gorham at the gate, and had drawn her
own conclusions.
II believe there are two pounds OF
raisins in the house," Pedy remarked,
all smiles, giving Ruth gentle caress:
as she entered the door. ''And plenty of
citrOn and currants," she added.
Yes, auntie. You know you sent me
for them last night"
wall, you jest put these apple bios
SONS in some water, and set 'em in the
parlor."
Pedy got the fruit and dishes, tied
clean bingham apron over her clean
gingham dress and sat down to work,
stopping to pat puss on the head. 81 be-
lieve | love everything on airth this
mornin' except Daniel Gorham," she
communed with herself.
Are you going to make wedding cake.
auntieP" Ruth inquired with mis-
chievous smile about the fine month.
Il be-"
81 am so glad. "Can l help you?"
81 am so glad, too" Pedy merrily re-
piled. mo. You jest down and finish
tixin' the lace in the neck O. that white
dress o. yours. l ironed it ut this
mornin'. Two o. fruit, three o. white,
and four o. streaked," she went on.
"That'll be enough"
Ruth silently wondered that even her
own wedding should be discussed quite
so openly by Pedy. But she discreetly
said nothing. and put on her thimble.
For some time nothing was heard but
the buzzing of few flies, and the heavy
breathing of Tabby. Occasionally Pedy
would glance around in search of speck
of dust to dart for; but the FASHIONED
chairs and lounges and 'crickets' of
the cozy little sittingroom were
scrupulously neat. The sun shnne in
through the open windows, and the
breeze come laden with perfume. Ruth
worked on the lace, and Pedy seeded the
raisins. But after time Pedy began to
twitch and tidget and throw her cap
strings back. Ruth understood the
symptoms. She knew little hurricane
was forming in her aunt's mind.
''Raisins is like troubles and trials"
Pedy at length remarked, stopping to
lock at Ruth over her spectacles. Lots
of 'em stick and stick; seems as if you'd
never git rid on 'em. Then comes along
great plump one you think'll bother
dreadful, and it slips right off yer fingers
jest as slick. When a beautiful plump
one, as 'twere, falls inter yer hands,
you'll remember that, won't you, Ruth?
Let the seeds of obstacles slip off easy,
and keep the luscious pulp. You will,
won't youP' She gave her niece fur
tive glance to see if she looked suspi-
cious.
But Ruth only smiled without looking
up as she replied, II am so pleased one
has fallen to'you, auntie.'
81 be. l don't think l was ever glad
der in my life. I've ben thinkin' con-
siderable about things yesterday and to-
day. One of 'em was how the Lord see
he'd left out several good pints out %
Adam; that he hadn't gin qWite scripter
measure in some desirable qualities, so
he dashed in a few extra pinches inter
Eve ter kinder even up the thing. Them
currants look real nice" she ended,
peering into the dish.
st is fortunate if Daniel is well sup
piled with amiable qualities" Ruth
ventured, curious to know what was
methods. IL am glad for YOU"
81 be. But it comes dreadful I'M
handy sometimes ter have it so. You
| see, now and then, along from ginera-
ton, the good things git pretty well
spilled out o. the Adams on the way;
and one turns up pretty short in 'em ;
and then he surely manages ter find an
Eve with enough for both on 'em. Ruth
I've got ter say it' Pedy burst out,
clutching handful of raisins, and her
eyes swapping fire. "I've got ter say it.
pinned my tongue down as 'twere, but
the pin flew out. When l git ter think
in o. that air David Armstrong-for
twas you and him / meant-if | do
want the fire ter burn a leetle hotter
where he's gone, feel sure the Lord
would jest be glad ter have some one
stir up the Goals occasionally. I'd make
first-rate bellus. I'd fry some o. that
ngliness out o. him, if didn't succeed
in gettin' down ter the repentance. Re-
pentance lies pretty near the marrer
sometimes. Takes good deal ter get
at it. There! / feel BETTER"
A cloud overshadowed Ruths face.
"You must speak no i'll of the dead, a."
she said, with decided ring of loyalty
in the tone.
sit is yer conscience that says that,
| Ruth; faint yer heart. do hope them
currants won't be gritty. could never
forgive Josiah, if he was my brother,
for listenin' to that sarpint of David.
He knew he lied. If lie hadn't you'd
have married Silas Merriam"
At the name of Silas Merriam a deep
blush crept over Ruth's face. Uncon-
sciously she let the lace fall from her
hands, and the troubled eyes look
dreamilY at the green hills, so beautiful
in the soft, summer-like air.
Pedy watched her and chuckled
snow, Pedy Porter" she whispered,
''jest hold right on ter yer tongue.
Don't let yer happiness rend We in twain,
and leak out. Comm ter the air pre-
maturely might turn it to gall. She
hain't forgotten him.
''If he'd had the ability ter rose ter
the occasion he might, p'r'aps have won
yer ter love him after a while. But
David was tyrant, and you know it.
Etarnally pesterin' We, and 'fraid streak
O. sunshine would break through the
clouds ter smile on we. He KEEP
middlin' busy cultivatin' you, and lettin'
the weeds grow In himself.
''Slow work. ter seed raisins. Have
you finished the lace?"
mot quite" Ruth answered, brought
back to the present by the question, and
resuming her work.
81 was pretty hilarious to-day thinkin'
you've been mournin' over two year, and
times up"