The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1897-03-25
THE BROWN CLOAK.

| bonbaZine cloak originally bright brown,
| but now faded in as many streaks as
| cobra hide, which had hung from time i'm
memorial in the back entry.
"Tbere amt no more use in that old
dud," he thought And it'll keep the
cold out, and If Philena makes fuss I'll
| give her a new blanket shawl"
Mrs. Waterman went off rejoicing. Pres
emily Mrs. Foxglove and Seraphina came
home from the weekly meeting of the So
oiety For the Helpers of the Heather in
jubilant spirits
George Paterson was there" said Mrs.
Foxglove. "He said he came after his
aunt, but it's my belief that he wanted to
walk home with Seraphina."
Seraphina hung down her head and said
nothing
"La, me, said Mrs. Foxglove from the
kitchen, what has come to thingsP Here's
the cold chicken and the apple pie gone.
And the cover off the butter jar tool'
Yves, said the farmer, coughing. 81
i got sort o. hungry, SO 1 thought I'd
jest take a snack"
where's the bombazine cloak, pap said
| Seraphina after the somewhat frugal sup
per, as she took the milking pail. cts
raining little, and the COWS haven t como
| home from pasture yet.
|
| said Mrs. Foxglove, coming to the rescue
and viewing the row of empty pegs with
an eager glance. "Well, declared Ne
| hemiah, " turning to her husband, "that
| comes of leaving you to keep house. You
must have gone OF and left the door open,
and some tramp has got in and robbed us. -
Il did just step out to che woodpile for
| some more logs" said the farmer, thank
full for the avenue of escape that was OPEN
ed 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 herer" he said to
himself.
Meanwhile pretty Seraphina singing
softly to herself, folded an old striped shawl
around her taper shoulders and went out
to the pasture after the truant COWS.
Old Tulips bell was jangling among the
silver stemmed brches on the bleak hill
They were already on the homeward path,
but Seraphina loitered unnecessarily on the
footbridge that SPAWNED a 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 5tep-strone
swiitand full of purpose. Seraphina' 8 eyes
frightened; vivid color rose into her
cheeks.
There he comes now," she murmured;
there comes Georger'
To her surprise and dismay, however, the
cavalier did L OF come up the hill, but stad
his steps beside the other woman below
He is throwing his arms around her
neck, thought the indignant Seraphina
He is-yes, he is actually kissing her
But don't care. Why should care? I'm
sure it don't matter to me-"
Seraphina buried the cows home and
finished the milking in less time than it
had ever taken her before She was Just
carrying in the foaming pail when tall
figure approached.
'Seraphina!'
Pray don't trouble yourself to speak to
me, said Seraphina, with toss of the
head. "Or if you do, please call me Miss
Foxglover
And Seraphina vanished through the
Kitchen door.
whats the matter, Phinyf" said her
mother. noticing the girls quick move
ments and heightened color.
Nothing, ma" said Seraphina.
1t was getting toward 9 O'Clock when
there came knock at the door. Mrs. Fox
glove opened it. There stood the Widow
Waterman.
Il hope I'm not intruding," 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. ~
"Eh?" said Mr.. Foxgloye in amazement
sit 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, and to have Deacon Pull
aby's son asking if he could not see me
home when l come out of the store and
Mr.. Ferdinand PluH saying was to be at
the dance at Melinda Edwards on Tues
day night, and might he call for me at 8
oclock-well, it's rather upsetting But
the worst OF it all was when went to get
little water at the brook A young fell
low seized hold of me and was going to
kiss me. l believe it's the brown cloak as
done 1T all, " with meaning glance at
Seraphina FOxglove. $50, if you would
please to take it back, I'll try and get
along with my old shawl spell longer.
And the roast chicken was very good, sir,
and that apple pie couldn't be beat.
There was a moments direful silence
and then Mrs. Waterman sidled out of the
room and betook herself once more to the
mysterious silence of the night
"Well, declared said Mrs Foxglove.
hia, don't scold pap said Seraphina,
half way between laughing and crying.
The farmer feebly rubbed his hands
Il 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.