Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1896-07-22

SkTeeeo. ed grain came the song
M/SA of birds, gradually
% growing fainter as the
20 rays of the sun began
to beat down. The air had not lost
the dewy freshness of early morning.
But early as it was the days work
at Bruce Farm was we'll under way.
The farmer and his men wetc in tho
folds, in the kitchen Huldah, the stout
German girl, was busy over the dishes,
while the mistress of the house, calm,
Saxon. faced Margaret Bruce, was
churnlng out on the back porch.
1t was o delightful spot for q morn
ing hour. A screen OF morning glory
and trumpet vines allowed only IN oc'
casional dancing roy of sunlight to
enter. Margaret made no discord in
the harmony OF the quiet scene. Tall,
ercct, head we'll poised, firm scarlet
lips and smooth brown hair. Even
her neatly fitting dress of indigo b ul
print, her gingham apron and hel
bare, shapely arms were pleasing to ar
artistic eye.
While che was briskly raising and
lowering the dasher of'the old-fash'
ioned stone churn, song on her lips,
step was heard on the walk.
"Cousin Elsie" Margaret exclaimed
brightly, "you are m early caller.
Don't tell me you have no genius for
housework when you can get out to
make calls as early in the morning as
this"
Elsie Mason shrugged her shoulders
in silence. She was n gypsy.faced,
girlish-looking creature, ten years
younger than her cousin. Elsie had
been for two years the wife of John
Mason, whose farm adioined that Of
Margaret's husband,
GLOW do you suppose did it9'
Elsie demanded, sitting down on the
top step and tanning herself with her
hat.
"Did what9" Margaret queriel.
"Managed to get over here go carly
in the morning"
'I'm sure don't know"
"Well, p. tell you there was IN
almost wicked CLEAN in the soft black
eyes upturned to the placid face above
the speaker. "We had breakfast late.
John was in hurry to drive to lay
tor, and somehow when no is in q
hurry meals have fashion OF being
late. 1t didn't take US long to eat.
You soc, there wasn't thing nice.
The coffee was muddy and the mullins
made-there wasn't any bread-were
horrid. Breakfast over [ put On my
hat, and here am soc. See?"
Mrs. Bruce looked grave. "And
your tablet" she questioned
'.It will be all ready for dinner, "
Elsie said flippantly. 81 did intend
to put The butter and cream in the re.
frigerator, but L forgot it. The bed
is unmade, the sweeping not done, no
bread set, and nothing planned for
dinner" ;"
There was moments silence. A
moment in which Margaret's churniDg
proceeded very slowly, whilo she
studied the face and form OF her cousin.
Elsie's abundant black hair was
twisted in a rough knot. Her bangs
had apparently been uncurlcd for sew
eral days. AS for her pink cambria
wrapper With It's tern garniture of lace,
there was only one word to describe
it, and that word was-dirty.
"Well, why don't you scold?" Elsie
asked in tho tone of a defiant child.
81 am afraid it will do no good"
Mrs. Bruce said gently.
"Oh, am so tired Of everything, P"
Elsie cried. "If there could only be
a change in my life--I would not care
what it was. But I'd rather die than
60 on in this poky fashion,"
no reply. Margaret raised the cover
Of her ehurn to look at the smooth
mass OF cream. That was all. After
a moment Elsie won't on pettishly.
"It's oil very well for you. You
have girl"
"Apd have three children, three
hired men and the milk of our COWS.
Yo1 sell your milk, the tenant farmer
boards Johns help, and you do the
work for two in the family"
A little emphasis on the word edo"
deepened the pink on Elsie's cheek.
sI am fitted for better things" she
began loftily. "Fate never intended
me for farmers wife.
81 agree with you. Why did you
marry Jobn?"
"Becauso I loved him, OF course.
John is we'll enough. 1t is tho uncon-
genial surroundings and prosy life
that makes me miserable"
"With all Johns patience he is only
human. You may some day wake up
to the fact that you have ruined both
your lives. The poetry and congenial
surroundings you rave OF may Ee oil
right in their place. But you are los.
ing the chance to live the sweetest oil
all poems, tho helpful life of loved
wife. aud wasting your"
''You are cruel, Margaret" Elsie
interrupted hotly. 'T wish l could
die. Then, perhaps, you all would be
cory for your unkindness to me"
':Ob, We would forget it then and
sing your praises. You remember :
'Sweetel woman never drew breath
Than my sons wife, Elizabeth
With your poetic knowlege I don't
need to remind you OF the fact that ii
was after the fool that Elizabeth'f
mother-iu law said 80. SO if you were
to die do not doui't that by the time
John married again he would forgive
even the muddy coffee and"
"rbat Is enough. I came to you
for comfort. not insult, AMI Elsie,
wipius hsr eyes, hurried down the
path IN the direction OF her own home.
Margaret smiled IL little as she care.
fully moved the dasher to gather the
golden butter, but the smile was fol
lowed by quick sigh.
As for Elsie, ] wish / could affirm
that she was so impressed by her
Cousins words that she went home and