Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-06-09


in front of the house; not 3 single con-
venience to make work handler or
easier, and poor mother has had to put
up with it all these yearsi Why doesn't
pa have tina. door cut through for her %
She shrugged her pretty shoulders
Say, do tell me if this ham Is thin
enough. 1 want my sandwiches to be
irst-class."
Giles Hewitt was distinctly taciturn
at the dinner table that noon, and in
view of his lowering countenance the
meal proceeded in unpleasant silence.
Immediately after dinner he made
ready to drive to Hoyt with load of
grain. 1t was second nature for Esther
to anxiously wait on him when ha
dressed to go anywhere. She always
put out his clothes, brushed them, tied
his cravat, saw that he had a clean
handkerchief, but to-day he told her
coldly to go about her work, he would
help himself. Presently he came into
the kitchen where she was washing the
dishes to blacken his shoes. Phew, how
hot it was, and how dark that little cor
ner where the cracked square of look
ing glass hung. before which she FUN
bled with his cravat!
Esther stood at the sink with her
back to him. and just opposite the trap
door was a white cross chalked on the
rough wall boards. marking the spot
where she wanted the outer door cut.
Somehow the sight of the innocent
mark angered him again. She seemed
to have chalked it for a purpose, and
he went out, slamming the door child
ishly.
Presently the girls came in all in a
autter, looking very pretty and dainty
in their simple lawns and big hats and
quite overlooking with the pleasuTable
anticipations of youth.
1T was a shame, mother, to leave you
in this hot place to do the dishes alone"
said Ria, penitently, but we had to
make ready. See, the Warmer boys
are driving in the gate now" They
kissed her and huttered out. and she
followed to take look, fond, proud
look after them as they rode away with
their cavaliers.
It was almost insufferably hot that
afternoon; the mercury mounted high
er and higher in the tube on the stoop;
the fowls went with dropping wings
and gaping beaks; the cattle sought
grateful shade and ruminated in shall
low pools; the house dog dug a grave
behind the currant bushes, in which he
lay painting with lolling tongue; vege-
tation shriveled and wilted; the earth
was cracked and baked; but by and by
clouds gathered in the west and gusts
of wind oapriciously swirIed the dust
and caught up sticks and straws in ell
fin dances. An old farmer driving by
called to a man digging a ditch in a
field: Il guess the dry spell is broken.
A shower is coming up" a..
A gloom almost appalling settled on
the landscape; the bees few to their
hives; the cattle snorted and raced
about, frightened at the rolling of
thunder and the shooting of javelins
of fire from the jagged clouds.
There was a going in the treetops, a
strange, distant murmur of millions off
raindrops advancing with the swiftness
of mighty host.
ST wonder if Giles shut the barn
door?" said Esther, hurrying out; then
there was thunderclap that seemed to
shake the universe TO its foundations,
and binding, swirling delugei
1t was four o'clock when Giles Hewitt
logged homeward. Dixey and Topsy,
down to a sober gait and tossed their
heads and snorted as they splashed
through puddles. The clayey mud
caked the wheel rims, streaked the
spokes and chung in tenacious blobs to
the hubs. Everywhere were signs of
the storms havoc, and Giles was con-
scious of certain ugly>misgivings lest
the new barn, the pride of his heart,
hTIf he
turned a corner he saw it silhouetted on
its hill, dominating the landscape, the
shining weather vane all agleam with
reflected glories of the west.
He breathed more freely now and
critically scanned his neighbours fields
to see what damage had been wrought
When he came in sight of the white
frame house he wondered to see num-
Der of people in the yard. Then he said:
''By George, if the old elm hasn't been
struck! What shame!"
Dan Comfy, his neighbor, hurried
down to meet him as he turned up the
drive. His face was CHASTITY. What on
earth allied the man?
IT say, Hewitt"-he clasped his
hands mechanically as he called-"stoP
minute-hold on-I want to tell you
God Almighty man, how can I? The
lightning struck - Esther's dead!
Whoa, there!" catching the reins that
fell from Hewitt's palsied hands and
leaping to the seat beside him. Lean
on mel There, thereI You had to know
it. Godi but it's rough"
Kind neighbors stood aside in silent
groups as Giles Hewitt tottered into
the room where Esther lay.
l., Cell HI
knees beside her with an exceeding
bitter cry.
"Estheri Esther! You are not deadI
q lxVa