Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1896-03-19
THE WIDOW MARIN.
BY the Author of "Natalie's Ordeal"
"Euphie Lyn," "A Vain Sacri-
fee" Etc.
Continued.

Better not tell father that If you
do he'll hire YOU for next to nothing
and work you for all you're worth,
Alec looked at her in some surprise.
Il wouldn't like to begin my career
in Canada with a lie he said, smil-
ing, Il believe the truth is best"
Yes, it is That's why l tell you
the truth about my father. Better you
should hire elsewhere"
The voice which had sounded so
sweet and musical calling the COWS
was now curt and sharp; there was
note of pain in it that hurt Alec some
how.
Anyhow, if you don't object III
wait and see him first"
Very we'll. If you must, you must,
but l am not going to deceive you.
You know what to expect
They had reachG"; the barn door now,
where the cattle s,ood lowing round,
and sitting down on her milking stool
beside one of the COWS she began to
milk.
Alec lay down on the grass and
watched her. She had taken off her
bonnet and he could now get a clear
look of her face as she sat with her
brow bent against the animals brown
flank. A winsome but firm and eX-
pressive face it was-a face prema-
turely nodded by alternate moods of
rebellion and patience, by wild, visit
full CLEANS of hope, by hours of hope
less dejection-a face over which the
thoughts of the moment fitted like
cloud-shadows over wind blown
cornfield.
He remembered what the farmer
had said about her being toiled into
her grave as her mother had been be-
fore her and his heart yearned to her
with sudden pity.
Couldn't | milk? 1t seems easy
enough" he said.
We'll, it's easy to learn. And you
ought to learn. A man who can milk
is always worth more on farm than
a man who can't" she answered.
Won't you teach me how" he said,
getting up and coming closer.
Il couldn't with Susie here. She
would know the strange hand and
would kick. Wait till | begin with
Fairy; she's not so particular. Better
go over to the pump there and wash
your hands.
Alec gleefully sprang to the pump
and, washing his hands thoroughly, re-
turned, clapping them dry.
The girl rose, having finished, and,
emptying the milk into large zinc
can, went over to the cow called Fairy
and set down the stool.
Now, sit down there and do as you
saw me doing" she said, and Alec,
nothing loath, began his milking.
The girl laughed at his awkward at
tempts to bring the milk from the in
dignant COW, who, aware of the strange
grip, turned her head and gazed at
the new mixer. In another moment,
Alec, pail and milking stool, were
scattered promiscuously over the green
and the laughter of the girl rang out
and echoed in the wood
We'll, never" she cried, as Alec,
also laughing, rose and rubbed his hip.
Il never saw Fairy do the like before.
I'm not going to be beaten, though,
lets try again, he said, flushed and
on his mettle.
What, Haven't you got enough for
one day." she laughed.
no. l sha'n't have enough until
have MIXED every one of them-Fairy,
too. ne said, with smiling determine
ton, and taking up a pail he selected
another COW, and resting on one knee
proceeded more cautiously and gently.
The animal fidgeted about a little; but
Alec, with a few kindly words and
pats overcame her scruples and to his
great delight the luscious rich milk
was soon flowing into the pail and
frothing up like snowdrift
We'll done, If you conquer every
thing you so for like that, you'll do,
said the girl, with genuine admiration.
L intend to, Alec responded. And
as if to the manner born, he patted
another COW on the back and bent
down on his knee, repeating the pro
cess.
Well, | think you have earned your
supper" S; ii the girl when the milk
ing was finished, and, besides, you
can stand out for $3.50 a month more
now, being able to milk. Needn't say
| taught you, you know-neither did !,
you really taught yourself.
Alec began to wonder what sort OF
a man old man Hill' could be whose
idiosyncrasies thus drove his daughter
to warn people against him; girl
whose evidently truthful nature was
kept lowering continually on the bor-
der line OF deceit by her very sense OF
justice. There was little time for
thinking just then, however. There
we're the cows to be fed, each one with
pail of warm bran mash, there was
the milk to be put into pans ready Tor
the milk-vender who called for them
at every morning; there was wood 10
be split and brought in for the morn
ing, the fowls to be locked up and the
horses to be foddered and all this Alec