Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1897-10-14

III hAA1 h>
and looked out. They commanded a
sunny Southern prospect of green sa-
vannas, ~interspersed with groves of
trees. and bounded on the distant horl-
zon by the cypress swamp. 1t was the
same country she had passed In her
flight.
Weary Of this, she left the parlor and
went into her own ROOM which n
found already made tidy by the nim-
BILE fingers of Venus: anu then, IN the
restlessfiess of her spirit. she LETT the
room and walked out of the front door
upon the front lawn.
The moment she appeared, Rumford,
who was walking up and down, smok-
ing. took his pipe from his mouth, II
gave a peculiar whistle that brought
the bloodhounds bounding to his side.
He took them and led them straight
up TO Astrea, making them snuH her
clothing, and then saying:
Good boys! pretty pups! watch
her! watch her."
The dogs looked up i~ntelllgentiy and
wagged their tails.
And now, Fora" said Rumford, turn
ing to his victim. IF you should be
meditating another mad flight, let me
tell you that ii will be utterly impossi-
BILE for you to accomplish your design.
These dogs would not permit you 10
leave the premises. l would rather
trust your safe-keeping 10 them than
to IN army of j~ailers. They are incor-
ruptible guardians, and not to De
bribed, coxed or frightened from their
trust, So look out for yourself. my
girl, for If you so much as attempt TO
escape they will be at your throat!
And IL l should not happen to be on
hand to call them off, they may do You
a serious mischief! SO take care how
you even walk upon the lawn. When
you are tanned, my wild deer, and l
can place confidence in you. then will
teach the dogs a different lesson and
give you 4 larger liberty"
Il have no intention to escape in the
way you think, Mr.. Rumford. My fate
is in the hands of God, who will deliv-
er me from the spoiler." said Astrea,
with grave dignity, as she r%etreated
into the house.
She returned to her own room and
thing in the background was going on
us DtlOTt, tHe hlttlltH tIlIihty StiI
smoking ~furiously: old Cybele moving
about among her pots and pans; Sat
urn delving in the garden; the laundry
maids busy ON the bleaching green.
and Venus coming III of the poultry
yard with a basketful of new-laid eggs
in one hand and Il bunch CT killed
chickens in the other. These she car
ried to the kitchen door, and having
given them into the hands of old Cy-
belle, she turned about and went into
the garden. where she began gathering
loads of flowers. Having filled her
large apron as full as it could hold,
she returned and entered the house by
the back door. She paused ut the door
of Astrea's chamber and, looking in,
said:
What you think, honey?" .
"Whatgr demanded Astrea.
'Ole marse gwinc hab a roun' dozen
oh gemmen to dine long o. him to-day!
n roun' dozen! An he nebber tell no.
body muffin bout it till arter break
fas' dis mornin', an deed, arter he
come out from talkin' to you! Ole
Aunt Cybele is mos druv to her wits
ends! So much to do an so little time
to do it in. But dat is jes' ole marse,
he neber takes a 'sideration on to no.
body's feelin's 'cept his own! An ole
Aunt Cybele she say how he's eberlast-
in gwine on jes' SO! allus a dinin'
out or havin' gemmen to dine long o.
him! an a eatin' an a drinkin'. an n
stufiin', an n bOoZin' all de blessed
night! But l know what gwine be de
end oh it all! He get an appleplexy
fit. an dat will be de end OBJ he!
see it all right afore me!'
What are you going to DO with all
those roses, Venus? They are very
sweet" said Astrea, who dearly loved
flowers.
iii, money, ornamentate de dinin'
room an parlor wild 'em-whieh |
must go an do it immediate. cause
arter done dat, | got de china an cut
glass an silver to see to, an de table
to set. De lors! hurryin' a body up so.
till dey don't know whedder dey STAINS
on dere heads or dere heelsr said We
nus. gathering up the corners of her
uoWef-iaden apron and preparing to
go.
Let me help you, Venus. 1t will be
a relief TO me to do something to while
away this tedious day, and | used to
great pleasure in arranging flow
ers. | will arrange them all for YOU,
lt you please, and then you can go at
something else" said Astrea, kindly.
Wen, honey, If o like TO do il.
sure I'm berry thankful to you: an
'haps 1t may muse your mind. too"
Venus, gratefully.
Astrea Immediately arose and ne
companied Venus to the dining room. |!
where the load Of flowers was emptied |
out upon the table. and where n pair
or scissors, n pitcher of water. and n
dozen or so of vases We're placed.
Astrea was oon %congenially epgaeed |
In clipping and dressing the flowers
and filling the vases. And in arranr.
ng tremendously tea roses, hellotropes
cape jasmines, geraniums and other
beautiful and fragrant flowers. AS.
urea almost forgot her miseries. Two
hours passed In this way, and whom
she had placed the floral vases upon
chimney pieces and the tables of
the dining room and parlor. poor. sim
pie Veuns was lost in admiration
which she vented as follows:
We'll. chile! / has heerd tell oh do
Hover angels, an you mus be one O.
Astrea was betrayed into a smile nj
rhlS nfhn1taaff -... 4