Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1894-11-08
THE SPINNING MATCH.

THE SPINNING MATCH.
Ny father is not a rebel, Lydia Gard
iner" The clear, girlish voice rang
out sharply on the still September
air. No one was in sight down the
quiet country road, only tall stems OF
golden-rod nodding socially over the
stone walls, and here and there big,
yellow brown butterfly drifting lazlly
above them. In the still, golden after
noon, Barbara Havens, with her blue
eyes flashing till they were as dark as
her cotton gown, looked like threat
ening little storm cloud. She had
pulled off her sunbonnet, and her hair
looked black and moist about her fore
head; her cheeks were burning with
anger.
Lydia Gardiner took few dainty
little steps and secured an especially
fine spray of golden-rod before she
answered. She was sixteen-a year
older than Barbara-and wore her
hair tucked up, much to Barbara S
envy. She was slight and graceful,
and moved with light, swaying mo-
ton, that reminded one irresistibly of
flowers bending in the breeze. Her
saucy brown eyes looked teaslngly at
angry Barbara over the feathery plume
she held
"What is he, then ?" she asked.
"He's a-Whig!'
Lydia laughed-a little mocklng
laugh that urged Barbara on.
"And anyway" she said, "no one
could ever call him coward He
doesn't tarry at home when fighting
is be done, hke-like some people
l believe will not speak to you again
lydia Gardiner and she turned
away without a glance at her friend.
Lydia waited a minute or two, then
seeing no backward look or sign of re-
lenting from the little blue figure walk,
ing proudly down the road, ran light
ly after her.
Barbara" she called-"Barbara! :
The blue figure stopped but did moi
look around. Barbara, )" she said
coaxingly, "yod are not angry with
me, are you?" Truly meant not t.
anger you. l will never call your
father a rebel again. In truth, | cal
see n. good in the fuss; but, if it needs
be, | think It's far braver to be away
fighting than to tarry at home at one
ease. But l can neither help no
hinder what my uncle does 'Tis un
fair to lay that to my charge, surely
Il lay that not to your charge,
answered Barbara, slowly, CAS- yor
say, It's little consequence what girl
NOV think, but 7 can at least be prouC
of my father. He is no rebel!'
Nay, I will never say that again,
answered Lydia. "And you will g
with me to the spinning match to-mor
row, will YOU not?''
Eyes" said Barbara, l will 60.
And the little cloud having blow
over, the two girls separated as goo
friends as usual.
! That night Barbara woke suddenly
: Her little sister, Dolly, was sleepln
quietly beside her; the moonligt
shone on her pretty, round face, an
, seemed tangled in her golden curl
) The house was very still even outsid
|, the trees scarcely stirred, and ther
!, was only the occasional chirp of SON
: cricket to break the hush. Yet Ba'
a bara was certain she had heard II
sound of horses hoof down the Ian
e She sat up in bed and listened. 81
had been sure she heard low volc
down stairs. Her little sister move
slightly. Hush p whispered Ba
!: bara, softly; "ah, Dolly, hush
!. The sound of voices grew loude
: Barbara crouched down, tremblin
and tried to cover her head with Il
!. quilt, while all the stories she ha
T ever heard of the 'deyastations OF Il
Redcoats came thronging back upC