The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1896-07-17


\.6 = rays of the sun began
TO beat down. The air had not lost
the dcwy 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 were in the
fields, 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
churnIng out on the back porch.
It was delightful spot for morn.
ing hour. A screen OF morning glory
and trumpet vines allowed only an oc-
casional dancing ray of sunlight to
enter. Margaret made no discord in
the harmony of the quiet scene. Tall,
erect, head we'll poised, firm scarlet
lips and smooth brown hair. Even
her neatly fitting dress of indigo blue
print, her gingham apron and her
bare, shapely arms were pleasing to an
artistic eye.
While she was briskly raising and
owering the dasher OF the old-fash-
oned stono churn, O song on her lips,
step was heard on the walk.
cousin Elsie" Margaret exclaimed
brightly, "you are an early caller.
Don't tell me you have no genius for
housework when you can get out to
nuke calls as early In the morning as
this"
Elsie Mason shrugged her shoulders
in silence. She was gypsy. faced,
sirlish-looking creature, ten years
younger than her cousin. Elsie had
been for two years tho wife of John
Mason, whose farm adioined that of
Margaret's husband.
Glow do you suppose I did ;t?'
Elsie demanded, sitting down on the
.op step and tanning hcreelf with her
hat.
"Did what?" Margaret queried.
Managed to get over here so early
in the morning"
'Tm sure / don't know"
"Well, I'll tell you" there was an
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
ton. and somehow when he is in
hurry meals have fashion of being
late. 1t didn't take us long to eat.
You see, 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
aat, and here am see. See?"
Mrs. Bruce looked grave. "And
four table," she questioned
1T will be ell ready for dinner"
Elsie said fippant!y. 81 did intend
% put the butter and cream in the re.
'rigerator, but forgot it. TIE bed
IS unmade, the sweeping not done, no
bread set, and nothing planned for
dinner"
There was n moments silence. a
moment in which Margarct's churning
proceeded very slowly, while she
studied the face and form Of her colsin.
Elsie's abundant black hair was
visited in ~ rough knot. Her bangs
lad apparently been uncurlcd for uev.
eral days. AS for her pink cambric
wrapper with Its tern garniture OF lace,
here was only one word to describe
t, and that word was-lirty.
''Well, why don't Won scold?' Elsie
asked in the tone OF defiant child.
81 am afraid it will Go &C good"
Mrs. Bruce said gently.
''Oh, l am SO tired OF cveryth,ng,"
elsie cried. "If there could oriv be
change in my life-I would not care
what it was. But Ia rather die than
90 on in this roliy fashion"
No reply. Margaret raised tho cover
>f her churn to look Mt the smooth
mass of cream. That was all. After
! moment Elsie went on pcttishly.
"It's oil very we'll for you. You
lave a girl"
"And l Eavc three children, three
lired men and the milk OF our COWS.
tou sell your milk, the tenant farmer
oosrds Johns help, and you do the
york for two in the family"
A little emphasis oa the word "do"
!eepened the pink on Elsic's cheek.
II am tittci for better things" she
'egan loftily. "Fate never intended
ne for n farmers wife"
81 agree with you. Why did you
marry John?"
because | loved him, OF course.
ohm Is well enough. 1t is the uncon-
GENIAL surroundings and prosy lie
Mat makes ne miserable"
with all Johns patience he i ONLY
human. You may some day wake UP
% the fact that you have ruined both
Tour lives. The poetry Gnd congenial
urrounaircS YOU rave OF may be all
'Ight IN their place. But You arc los
rG tie chance to live the sweetest OF
III poems, the helpful life OF loved
wife. and wasting your"
'Nou are crnoi, M"rSnrct," Elsie
Interrupted holly. 81 wish [ could
lac. Then, perhaps, you aii would be
:orry Tor yonr Unhiu .nca3 10 nae"
oh, We wonli forget il then and
En% Your praises. You Remember
~esa,cr wonn u"vrr re:; hr,a:l
4i..a NJ 4 wl.r, Elizabeth