The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1898-06-09

| lO" hhtt tHCl tiCy boii
laughed. and went off talking togeth
er into the barn The emore though
it over, the more | couldn't under
stand, and here I've left my team t,
come and worry my best friend abou
| it,"
Il don't know what Chloe woulc
say to that" said Madam Blake, smil
ing II mistrust that she claims t.
be your best friend Go ont and speal
| to her minute. | can't tell, an,
more than the dead, what the critter.
are up TO-"
Into the kitchen went John, with {
somewhat comforted heart. Ii wa.
cheese morning, and Chloe was deeI
In the mysteries of fine art The
north door, leading to a grassy bach
yard, was the scene of her operations
Here stood the cheese press, upon the
broad, smooth tiagstones, with pig
gin beneath it to catch the dripping
whey. Chloe WAS fair as the day il
her checked skirt and pink "short
gown" with sleeves tucked above her
dimpled elbows. She had just filled
the hoop with the fragrant curd, and
was pressing down the follower
t. cover it when her quick ears caught
the sound of her lovers firm step on
the kitchen floor.
why, John Walworth, has any
thing happened, that you come at
this hour? You are just in time to
lift the cheese, for the maid is in the
bayfield,
This was said in a quick tone, with
her dainty head turned\ toward him.
over her shoulder, but his eager eyes
saw the surprised gladness in hers.
and the soft flush on her cheek They
were to be married within the year,
but John would sooner have thought
of suicide than of using that fact for
any present advantage. He answered
her with certain fine Difference.
Il was fain to come for crumb OF
comfort, sweetheart" and then went
on to detail his experience at the barn
Her clear gray eyes regarded him
steadily till he ceased speaking, and
then with heightened co'or, and lay
ing her hand timidly npon his shoul
der, she said:-
Take courage, dear John; we'll
bear IL together so soon." For an
swer he took up the heavy cheese and
placed it in the press, tightening the
screws and fixing the weights in pro
per position. Then in a low voice he
sald:-
Il don't deserve such girl as you
are, my Chloe; Pm not balf good OF
strong enough, but, oh, now you help
me- And III moment he was gone
welding his long whip like magic
wand to guide the patient oxen.
Meanwhile Madam Blake, having
finished her peas, divested herself of
the blue apron, and appeared in a
we'll worn gown of gray paduasoy
whose durable texture still retained
much of its original gloss. 1t WAS
fastened in long coat, or polonaise,
with quilted skirt of the same hand
some material Chloe had now come
in, and the mother and daughter
were about to sit down to their sewing
together, when the rattle of carriage
wheels WAS heard. Looking out they
saw high, two wheeled chaise, drawn
by large white horse, whose owner
was at that moment carefully descen
ding to the ground.
IT'S Priest Walworth. mother
and [ have only my short gown on, y
gaspad Chloe, running to the ''cham
ber door, which. after the architec
ture of the time, opened from the
living room to a private staircase.
Hasten, child, and put on your
white sprigged muslin, and fetch
some wine and spice cakes, said Mad
am Blake, rising to welcome her dis
tinguished visitor; land catch bit of
sweetbrier from the window to pin at
your neck" she added, as the girl sped
swiftly up the stairs. Then smoothing
down her silken skirts, and inwardly
rejoicing at their respectable appear,
ance, she waited decorously just out
Of sight. until the Priest had lifted
the heavy knocker and sent its echoes
reverberating thrugh the house. Then
stepping forward, she curtesied with
old time grace, holding ont her hand
in welcome
Priest Walworth stood in the door
way, hat in hand, his gray wig fall
ing in curls upon his shoulders. His
white neck cloth and ample longsklrt
ed coat had much the effect of a
gown and bands, and something in
his aggressive presence suggested
the prelate rather than the Puritan
minister. He was of unusual hight,
and corresponding breadth of stature,
with keen blue eyes and ruddy com
plexion. and spoke in deep sonor
Gus voice.
''Peace be upon this house, Cousin
Blake; how fares 1t with you and my
daughter elect?'
ave are always we'll, as You know,
Cousin Walworth, and my daughter
will be with Us directly answered
the good matron. opening the door
on the left of the entry into the pre-
cinct of the best parlor. From its
cool darkness issued the scent of rose
leaves. and ghostly array of linen
covered chairs and sofas seemed to
forbid the entrance Of every day life.
Nay, Rhoda Blake" said the min
i5ter, with ring of humorous conde-
scension in his tones. what l have to
say BELTS rather the light of day than
this somber apartment" and turning
from her, be mached into the living
room and planted himself upon the
very cushioned window-seat where
John had poured out his woes an
hour before. after the stout walking
stick, which was his constant compan
ion, and his broad brimmed hat were
safely deposited beside him, he beam.
81 upon Chloe, who had just entered
with his most gracious smile, and ac
cepted with courtly thanks her offe,
of rereshment. When the spice cake:
and currant wine had been duly dis
posed of, he brushed the crumbs from
his coat with his large. white hand
aud said, My daughter dove. have
brought your wedding gift" Will