Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1898-09-13


Here, II take some OF II myself. "
And when she had taken few spoon.
fuls and held up the steaming, savory
bowl he looked at her moment and
swallowed the rest
EYES," he said. "That tastes good.
You re master hand at a relish, Sally
But what you doin here?' he added
with start and bewildercd look.
You're Tom Brier's woman now. "
II guess, she said, "Tom amt no
place for mo yet. And you've got to hev
some one to ten round, and might as
we'll stop a SPELL"
"Well-jes' tell he sends for you.
"Now you set down an lemme brile
you this little lamb chop. It's real ten
der. And here's pertater bilin hot
"No, l amt call to cat
"Ain't hungry" stepping about
oriskly. "Yes, you be. And q mealy
pertater, with salt and pepper, and plenty
" fresh butter r"-and she was preparing
i, as she spoke. for the table had been
laid before the bell ringing, and the
gridiron was ON the Goals.
~ dunno bout this" be said as the
smoking chop was slipped on the plate
before him. "n smells sort Of tcmptin, :"
be muttered. Here, Ponto, you try a
bite. No! We mustn't give the chill.
dren's meat to dogs. You're sure it's
all right, SallyY" with o wondering,
wistful look.
"Sure's be Of sunriseI" And while
he was picking the bone like famish-
cd dog himself she was tossing light
large pancake and covering 1t with her
peach sirup, and following IL with an.
other and another, keeping the great
cup Of cocoa filed all the time beside
him. The doctor had said he must be
fed and overfed
Then he leaned forward, his elbows
on the table, and stared at tbs high
sunny window where little jug OF
buttercups and clover stood and bee
buzzed and hummed. And his head fell
between his hands, and she came and
put her arms about II and brought it
forward so that it touched her shoul-
der. You're real sleepy" she said.
lyon jes' go into the bedroom aud lie
down and git nap, and III cover you
up
He put out his long arm, pushing her
off with the open palm Of his hand.
I'D like you TO keep your distance, :"
he said. raising his heavy lidded eyes
II know about morals, If you ain't no
princerpele!' and he rose and moved
majestically to the calico covered lounge
under the window and threw himself
down upon it. lyon there again." he
said presently, as she pulled the curtain
across the window over him. "No bust.
ness here, dropping of to sleep and
waking again with start TO murmur,
"'Tain't proper, and then lost in some
five minutes vagary Of dream from
which he sprung hallooing, with an
idea that he was drowning. Take your
hans of n mel" he roared. You're
a.chokin met ri hev you hung for n
witch YETI Aud when tho air was sui.
phurous with storm Of oaths that cur.
died the blood Of the little woman on
the stool ut his feet-he--her husband
"a church member-sbe hid her face
in her arms. rocking to and fro, the
tears oygrhowing
IL don't like to see you cry, Sally,
and you know itr' he said, stopping TO
gaze at her.
"Oh, IL can't help is!" she ex.
claimed
II sh d think twas me that made you
cry" he said irresolutely. and he add
ed under his breath, "instid Of your
own cussedgess.
where's Polly?" he said presently.
after standing moment and staring in
to vacancy as II trying to recall his
poor wits. That's what want to
know. Where's Polly'"
"She's we'll took care Of. Sbe's-she's 8
better where she Is while you-while
You ain feelin 30 well, a little trem-
ulous thrill in the sweetness Of t.'e
voice.
I'm puflckly well Look at the
dinner I've cat. never felt better in
my life. I could take you down 10 the
river aud drownd you quick as could a
kitten.
"You couldn't drown u kitten, Hum.
phrey."
He made q step toward her. "At
least I could" he said as she looked
in his face, with the tears still OH her
own, "ef you belonged to me. But be-
ing as you're Tom Brier's now-you're
a pretty woman, Sally" he said after
looking ut her moment again. "Ef
you hedn ben so blamed toppin and
bound to have your own way, wouldn't I
"a got red Of you. You can hev your
ch ice now between Tom Brier and the
river. Oh. my head, my head!'
There was a rap on the door, and then
q shadow fell through the little passage
way into the bright kitchen. "Oh, l
forgot to bolt the door'' exclaimed Mrs.
Lavender.
I'm be bound you did," cried Hum
phrey. "Who's this a-comin into folks
houses 'thout by your leave!"
"It's me, Humphrey; it's-yes-it's
me-" piped a high thin voice with
something like an escapement midway
of its utterance.
"Oh, Mr.. Hodge!' exclaimed Sally,
wiping o chair that was clean before.
"Come right in. Only you'll excuse us
Humphrey isn't-isn't quite as well
as"-
"Who be you," cried Humphrey,
"tellin him to set down in my house!
And you ain't welcome here, a-spyin
round. Ivy Hodge, and you know it"
my dear-Humphrey-I-I really
think you can't know what-yes, what
you're a-sayin. said Mr.. Hodge bland
ly and taking the chair. "A selec'-
mans welcome - yes - most any
where's. -
"'Ceptin here," said Humphrey,
looking for his stick.
"How?" said MIR. Hodge.
II said exeeptin here, and aim 60
in to hev you exchangin looks with
that woman eyther. She don't belong
here no way, thanks be to praise I've
allus KEEP thin's respectable. and OF
you've come to deal 'ith me as church
member don't stand in need Of none
of your dealin, and SO good day to you. :"
Ard as Mr.. Hodge did not SO he strobe
off himself through the open doorway.
"Oh. Mr.. Hodge" exclaimed Sally
breathlessly, 81 must go, tool can't
let him off alone"-
"That's jest it; yes, ! may say, jest
it," said the selectman, with his short