Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1895-08-09

and in the dispute father lost his temper
and said that Rufus had given him under.
weight AT that Rufus swore an oath
and seized father by the throat Rufus
wife screamed, "Oh, DON'T don't! Oh,
he'll kill himv'
went up to Rufus and took hold of
his arm.
Rufus Bennett" said 1, you let my
father gor'
But Rufus eyes giared hike mad
mans, and he would not let go. Then
went to the desk-drawer where father
had kept Il pistol since some houses in
the village were broken into; got out
the pistol, laid hold of Rufus again, and
held the muzzle against his forehead
you let go my father" said !, 'Nor I'll
fre!7
Then Rufus let go, and father dropped
like a log. He was purple in the face.
Rufus wife and l worked a long time
over him to bring him to-
Rufus Bennett" said !, Ego TO the
well and get a pitcher of water" He
went, but when father had revived and
got up Rufus gave him look that showed
he was not over his rage.
I'll get even with you yet, Martin Fair
banks, old man us you are!- he shouted
out and went into the outer room.
We got father to bed soon. He slept
In the bedroom downstairs, out of the
sitting Rufus and his wife had
the north chamber, and l had the south
one. l left my door open that night, and
did not sleep any. listened; no one
stirred in the night Rufus and his wife
were up very early in the morning, and
before o o'clock left for Vermont. They
had q days journey and would reach
home about 8 in the evening. Rufus
wife babe father good-by, crying, while
Rufus was getting their trunks down
stairs, but Rufus did not go near father
nor me. He ate no breakfast; his rery
back looked ugly when he went out Of the
yard.
That very day, about Z O'Clock IN tina
evening, after tea, had just washed the
dishes and put them away and went out
on the north doorstep, where father waa
sitting, and sat down on the lowest step,
There was o cool breeze therei it had
been very hot day.
II want to know If that Ellis fellow haa
been to see you any lately" said father
all at once.
mot n great deal" answered
"Did he come to see you the last night
You were there?" said father,
"YeS, SIR" said l, ''he did come
'If you ever have another word 10 say
to that fellow while live III kick you
out of this house like dog, daughter Of
mine though you ber' said he. Then he
swore u great oath and called God to
nit NGDoo1r NhoA ~ l.,
if you dare, while liver said he.
] did not say q word; Just looked up
at him as l sat there. Father turned
pale, and shrank back, and put his hand
to his throat, where Rufus had clutched
him. There were some purple finger
prints there.
81 suppose you would have been glad
!f he'd killed me-" father cried out.
81 saved your life" said L
'What did you do with that pistolH''
he asked.
~ put it back in the desl-drawer.-
got up and went around and sat on
the west doorstep, which Is the front one.
AS sat there the bell rang for the Tues
day evening meeting, and Phoebe nolo
and Maria Woods, two old maiden la
dies, dressmakers, our next door neigh
bors, went past on their way to meeting
Phoebe stopped and asked If Rufus ard
his wife had gone. Maria went around
the house. Very soon they went on, and
several other people passed. When they
had all gone it was as still as death.
sat alone u long time, until ] cotth
see by the shadows that the full moon
had risen. Then ! went up to my room
and went to bed.
lay awake long time crying 1t
seemed to me that all hope of marriage
between Henry and me was over, could
not expect him to wait for me thought
of that other girl; could soc her pretty
face wherever l looked. But OF last l
cried myself to sleep.
AT about o'clock ! woke and got up,
Father always wanted his breakfast at
& o'clock, and l had to prepare IT now.
When father and | were alone he Oh
ways built the fire In the kitchen stove,
But that morning did not hear him
stirring us usual, and fanced that he
must be 30 out of temper with me that
he would not build the fra
] went TO my closet for daIh blue cal-
ico dress which / wore to DO homework
in. 1t had hung there during nil tho
school term. AS took It OF the hook,
my attention was caught by something
strange about the dress ! had worn tho
night before. This dress vOs made Of
thin summer silk; It was greco IN color,
sprinkled over with white rings It had
been my best dress for two sumInersI
but now l was wearing It on bot after
moons at home, for It Is the coolest
dress have. The night before, too,
had thought of the possibility of Henry's
driving over from Digby and passing the
house. He had done this sometimes dur,
ing the last summer vacation and
wished to look my best If be I'D
AS took down the calico dress saw
what seemed to be stain Oh the green
silk threw on the calico hastily and
then took the green silk and carried IT
over to the window. II wns covered with
spots-horrible great splashes and
streaks down the front The right sleeve,
too, was stained, and oil the stains were
get
what have got 90 my drsssY'
said L
It looked like blood Then ! smslled of
h, and 1t was sickenine In my nostrfls, !
but was not sure what the smell of |
blood was like thought ] most have
got the stains by some 1ocident the night |
before.
"If that Is blood on my drees- I said,
Il must do something to get u off OF