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

felt strange all day. must gather
some eggs first, Lydia. I will not de-
lay you long.
I'll come, too, }" answered Lydia,
readily. Barbara went ahead with
the basket, Lydia followed, lifting her
dress and picking her way diligently
while her bright eyes glanced every
where. Suddenly she gave a little
scream.
What is the NATTER" asked Bar
bara.
q thought heard someone cough
up in the loft The children never
60 there, do they? And see, this
looks like a footprint"
Barbara leaned, white and tremb-
ling, against the barn door. Lydia
looked up and ran to her
"How pale you are AreyOu fright
ened, Barbara? Come outin the sun
light. Don't be frightened. l will
run home and tell Uncle, and he will
bring some men and search. Perchance
It's one of the robbers we've been
hearing of. 'Tis not safe for a woman
to be without man in the house these
times.
Barbara regained her self-control
by strong effort
81 am not frightened, Lydia. In
truth heard no noise. l do not be-
lieve there is robber there, and your
uncle would not thank us for bringing
him on a FOOLS errand. Anyway, one
could not escape in broad daylight, and
YOU will be too late for the spinning
match if you go home first. Twill be
time enough to speak of the matter
after that
"Well, said Lydia, "perchance |
was mistaken, but l will surely speak,
and will not stay till the match is
over. You know I can outspin any
girl there"
Rarbara's month took its inhexible
expression. Something kept saying
itself over and over again in her head
till it sounded to her excited fancy like
the whirring of the spinning wheels.
Unjust, must, Imust outspin Lydia y
She did not know how she was going to
doit. Lydia had never thought of her
as even a possible rival. She had
never cared to try before; now she
must not only try-she must do it
At Miss Hackett's s they found half a
dozen girls waiting for them. 1t was
seldom they had spinning match IN
warm weather, but Priscilla Hackett
had the novel thought Of holding one
out under the trees. She was hutter-
ing busily about placing the wheels,
and nodded a gay welcome to the girls.
Come and choose your places she
called. "You are late, and we shall
not be able to finish before dark if you
do not hasten. The sun sets at SIX,
and It's high four now.
1--WE will do our best, laughed
Lydia, with conscious little toss Of
her head.
"Ill do my best, thought Barbara.
And then the old refrain began-T
must, I must, l must outspin Lydia =
The sun set at six; before seven her
father would start. If she could only
keep Andrew Gardiner from coming
before eight Four hOurs-could she
do it? She placed her wheel care
fully, 50 that the light of the setting
sun would not hinder her later. She
even picked up her distaf and was in
position to begin as soon as the signal
was given. The gay chatter of the
girls rose above the whirl of the
wheels but above all, beating a
rhythm in time to the wheels, came
the old refrain again-"I must, l
must, l must outspin Lydia -
Hands and feet few lightly and
steadily. After awhile one of the girls
began to sing. Lydia's voice rang
clear and high above the others. She
dearly loved music once in a while
she half forgot her work. Barbara
noticed it, and her own wheel flew
faster. Still they sang, and the wheels
whirred an accompaniment. Barbara
had full control Of herself now hel
hands were quick and steady; she be.
gan to feel a strange power and exult
in it. Lydia glanced occasionally a
Priscilla Hackett, but did not thinl
of looking at Barbaras work. Th'
shadows grew longer, aud the girl
began 20 grow tired only Barbara
never faltered.
Atsix o'clock Mistress Haekett cam'
out and the girls left their wheels; bu
Barbara leaned back too tired to move
Priscilla came over To her.