The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-02-10
THE BROWN CLOAK.


Farmer Foxgioye, in pity for tho Widow
Wstrman, who was too thinly clad for
cold weather, racklessly took down an old
bomhazins cloak, originally bright brown,
but now faded In as many streaks as q
zebra hide, which had hung from time i'm
memorial In the back entry.
"There amt no more use in that old
dud." be thought And it'll keep the
cold out, and II Philena makes fuss I'll
give her a new blanket shawl"
Mrs. Waterman went off rejoicing Pres
emily Mrs. Foxgove and Seraphina came
home from the weekly meeting Of tho So
oiety For the Helpers of the Heathen In
jubllant spirits.
George Paterson was there" said Mrs.
Foxglove. HE said no came after his
aunt, but It's my belief that he wanted to
walk home with Seraphinu.
Seraphina hung down her head and said
nothing.
LA, me-" said Mrs Foxglove from the
kitchen, what has como to thingsS Here's
the cold chicken and the apple pie gone.
And the cover off the butter jar too''
."Y-yes" enid the farmer, coughing. II
Il got sort o. hungry, SO thought I'd
Jest take snack
"Where's the bombazine cloak, pa9" said
Seraphina after the somewhat frugal sup
per, as she took the milking pail. "It's
raining little, and the COWS haven t come
home from pasture yet.
"If had pair Of eyes, I'd use them"
said Mrs. Foxglove, coming to the rescue
and Viewing the row of empty pegs with
an eager glance "Well, l declare! Ne
hemiah," turning to her husband, that
comes of leaving you to keep house. You
must have gone off and lett the door open,
and some tramp has got in and robbed us. !"
~ did just step out to the woodpile for
some more logs" said the farmer, thank
full for the avenue of escape that was OPEN
cd to him. "But wasn't gone long"
He wriggled uneasily in his cushioned
rocking chair.
II wish old Mrs Waterman had been in
Jericho before she came herep' he said to
himself
Meanwhile pretty Seraphina, singing
softly to herself, folded IN old striped shawl
around her taper shoulders and went out
to tho pasture after the truRnt COWS.
Old Tulips bell WIS jangling among tho
silver stemmed birches on the bleak hill
They were already on the homeward path,
but Seraphina loitered unnecessarily on the
footbridge that SPAWNED brawling brook.
All was still and dusk, certain frosty
sweetness was in the autumn air, and the
only visible person was woman farther
down the brook, who was dipping out wa
ter
Suddenly there was another step-strong,
swift and full of purpose Seraphina 8 eyes
brightened; vivid color rose into her
cheeks.
There he comes now," she murmuredi
there comes George!'
10 her surprise and dsinay, however, the
cavalier did not come up tho hill, but stnid
his steps beside the other woman below.
"He is throwing his arms around her
neck" thought tho indignant Seraphina.
''He is--yes no Is actually kissing her!
But don't care. Why should carer I'm
sure 1t don't matter to mo"
Seraphina hurried the cows home and
finished the milking In less time than 1t
had ever taken her before. She was Just
carrying in the foaming pail whom tall
figure approached.
"Seraphina!"
"Pray don't trouble yourself to speak to
me, said Seraphina, with toss Of the
head. cor If you do, please call me Miss
Foxglovop"
And Seraphina vanished through the
kitchen door.
whats the matter, Phinyf" said her
mother, noticing the girls quick move
monts and heightened color
Nothing, ma, said Seraphina.
twas getting toward 9 o'clock when
how n ~ ba
glove opened 1t. There stood the Widow
Waterman.
~ hopo I'm not intrudng," said Mrs
Waterman, "but here's the brown bonn
bazine cloak, Mr.. Foxglove, and, humbly
thanking you all the same, I'd rather not
wear It, p"
"Eh?" said Mr.. Foxglove in amazemont
at was very kind of you to give it to
me-" went on Mrs Waterman, to the ut
ter discontinue of the poor farmer, "but
there's some things as human flesh and
blood can't bear, ard to have Deacon Pull
aby's son asking ii he could not see me
home whom l come out Of the store, and
MIR. Ferdinand Fluff saying was to BIO at
tho dance at Melinda Edwards on Tues
day night, and might he call for me at
o'clock-Hell, it's rather upsstting. But
the worst Of it all was when went to get
little water at the brook. A young fol
low seized hold of me and was going to
kiss Inc. believe it's the brown cloak as
done 1t all, )" with a meaning glance at
Seraphina Foxgloye 80, If you would
please to take it back, I'll try and got
along with my old shawl spell longer
And tho roast chicken was very good sir,
and that apple pie couldn't be beat
Thore was moments direful silence,
and then Mrs. Waterman sidled ont Of the
room and betook herself once more to the
mysterious silence of the night.
well, declare' said Mrs. Foxglove
Ma, don't scoid pap said Seraphina,
half way between laughing and crying.
Tho farmer feebly rubbed his hands.
II think I'll go to bed," said he.
And he went Seraphina, running out
for pitcher of water, the last thing before
shutting the house for the night, nearly
stumbled against George Paterson.
Goodness mel What are you doing2"
said Seraphina.
II can't go home and sleep, Sernphina,
while you are angry with mo-" said the
poor fellow, who was very desperately in
love what have donep'
Nothing" she replied. "Except-ex-
cept that you can't blame me for being
jealous when see you hugging and kiss
ing the Widow Waterman
1T was the cloak, Seraphna--the brown
cloak that misled me-" pleaded George
II thought II was you"
"Oh, it's all very well to talkr' gaid
Seraphina.
Mrs Foxglove thought Seraphina had
never before been so long in bringing