Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1893-09-29


swered, sulkily.
at matters not, You and Ezra are well
come to all you can eat
Ezra can speak for himself. Here he
comes" AS Ezra passe | the door, Doro-
thea Lee addressed him in even tones:
1T is rothing l was hut saying you
are welcome to all You can eat and drink.
I cut twice as much cake on the plate as
is here"
Then, like Ann Bigger, the apprentice
answered sulleny: Master Lee has the
best of nv mus cles-'tis not the fashion
To stint one in meal ard milk. mistress.
THAT is true, too, said his mistress,
orayelv. Then she adde quickly, and
With note of pride in her rising tones,
$50 be very CAREFUL both of you, never to
saw that any one serving John Lee, is
stinted in meat or drink.
"If meat or milk dis slppears," said Ann
Bigger. nodding her head in a mysterious
manner there's ways for them to go
without hands touching them. Stranger
things are witnessed every hour in the
day"
aCease, Ann" her mistress said, and
thea the appr ntice and maid disap-
peared.
When these two were alone Ann So d:
"The mistress tongue is sharp-set ever
since yesterday morning.. :,
"Ill not have it sharpened at my cost,
the apprentice answered, shaking his
head. Then, catching Ann in his arms.
he was on the point Of kissing her when
she sprang from him.
There's masters step.
John Lee entered the kitchen, and See
ing Ezra fumbling with pair of bullet
molds he sGid, as he glanced at the
maid
Il marvel Ann permits you to make
YOUR bullets inside the house. However,
! there's poor light out of doors now.
Then he smiled grmly End passed out.
When he was out of sight and hearing
the maid and apprentice turned to each
! other.
Now. see what you have done, follow
ing me here" Ann said.
Whereupon the apprentice slammed the
mods down and retorted:
ave are not up to you women. You
can put a good face on the worst OF things.
But WHY need we care, when, if you only
mind voHr ways, we'll be married some
day? You are as good as promised to
me-"
There's many slip between the cup
and lip"
ave, is there? I'm none SO sure you
would suit me every way" Then the ap-
prentice walked out and slammed the
door after him.
Poor Ezra-he is SO thick witted,
said Ann Bigger, as she pursed her TIM
lips and smiled. How wonder what
Mistress Lee means. 1t is not often
carry cake to Abagail. And the speak:
to me again-l'll say it is witches work.
An hour la.erJ Ohm Lee le-entered hi
house with grave face and preoccupiec
manner, and, seeking his wife, immedi
afelv broached the matter that was on his
mind.
aDorothea, has our Janet refused Gile;
Ellis?"
Il do not know, John" Mistress Lee
answered, calmly.
at will not be we'll to trifle with Giles
now above all times. My brother Mar
TINS folly may prove serious mattef
and Giles could do me good service
He wants our Janet 10 wife. lie has tn'
favor of men in high places and sub
stantial means.
aThere are others equal y well-to-do,
said Dorothea Lee. Hall dozen 10
that matter I hope there may never b.
need of his good Offices"
"If we count those in favor in hlRl
places. there are few can compare wit
Giles Ellis" John Lee replied. "l passe'
him within the hour, and there was tina
in his manner do not understand.
came straight 10 ask you II you knoN
aught that has passed between Giles an
Janet"
"I know nothing-but l do not lik
Giles Ellis, nor never did,.
ais he not Industrious? Has he not
, presentable figure? Is his family not q
: good as any between Salem aud BostonF
r Il have no objection to his people,
Dorothea replied.
as he rot sober, saving, fair-handed L
! everything?"
His wife was silent.
what more would you have for on
} Janet?"
Then his wife looked up at him and re
piled: al have never opposed YOU
3 wishes, but there was time when a
these things would not K did not-satisf
} me, John, and Janet is very like he
5 mother.
"Giles Ellis is nephew to Depu' y CO.
J ernor Danforth no less, and if the wors
happens my brother Martin here Joh
, Lee lowered his voice, and, leaning clos
to his wife, added, with a perceptlbl
! tremor in his tones-"Giles Ellis ma
save Martin from the gallows. This m
, fortune of John Winslow's preys on mi
there are strange reports. l am 1eal
full" -
| Then you are not like yourself, Jon
Lee. Dorothea answered. lis not Lib
D YOU. And tbs less like you to force OF
Janet's wishes.
1 "Iwould not press her-far from /
But surely you may speak 10 her and &c
= She gives ear to Giles when he come
again" ,,s. ..
!. Dorothea.
d 1T cannot be"--John Lee pause
s Surely YOU do not prefer Procto
Il Where is Janet? will speak 10 her. >"
o lam here, father" Herparents turne
/. Janet stood near the door Il have heal
y all you said"
n Something in her manner told job
d Lee she had met Giles Ellis.
You have spoken TO Giles Ellis. u
you speak him fair? see you did nc
Yet YOU knew my wishes"
Il could not help it, father; 81
looked at him appeaingly, but he pr
r vented her from speaking, as with u
:. lifted hand he said:
> @Have OF Teen a good father to yo'
9 And just9 will not be unjust 10 10
n We will take time to think-conslder We
before Giles comes this way again.
S But, father =, ;a
e Peace, child. I say we Will conslo co ISL