The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1899-06-15

She shrugged her pretty shoulders.
"Say, do tell me il this ham is thin
enough. I want my sandwiches TO be
first class"
Giles levitt was distinctly taciturn
at the dinner table that noon, and in
view Of his lowering countenance the
meal proceeded in unpleasant ST.
lence. Immediately after dinner he
made ready to drive to Hoyt with
load OF grain. IT was second nature
for Esther to anxiously wait on him
when he dressed TO go anywhere. She
alwaya put ont 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, hot it was, and how
dark that little corner where the
cracked square OF looking glass hung.
before which he fumblel with his
cravatl
Esther stood at the sink with her
back to him, and Just opposite the
trap door was 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
purpose, and lie went out slamming
the door childishly.
Presently the girls came in all in a
nutter. looking very pretty and dainty
in their simple lawns and big hats and
quite OVERLOOKING with the pleasuar-
able anticipations OF youth.
1T was a shame, mother, to leave
you in this bot place to do the dishes
alone" said Ria, penitently, "but VIC
had to make ready. See, the Warren
boys are driving in the gate now. "
| They kissed her and huttered out,
and she followed to take a look, a
fond, proud look after them as they
rode away with their cavaliers.
| 1t was almost insuffcrably hot that
afternoon; the mercury mounted
higher and higher in the tube on the
stoop, the fowls went with dropping
wings and gaping beaks. the cattle
sought grateful shade and Illuminated
in shallow pools, the house dog dug a
grave behind the currant bushes in
which he lay painting with lolling
tongue, vegetation shriveled and
wilted, the earth was cracked and
baked; but by and by clouds gath
ered in the west and gusts of wind
capriciously swirled the dust and
caught up sticks and straws in elfn
called to man digging ditch in q
field, II guess the dry spell is broken.
A shower is coming up" The he
lashed his wet, jaled team SO as te
distance the/storm if possible.
A gloom almost appalling settled OIL
tire landscape, the bees flew to the
hives, the cattle snorted and raced
about, frightened at the rolling o.
thunder and the shooting of javelins O
fire from the jagged clouds.
There was a going in the tree-tops
a strange, distant murmur of millions
Of rain drops advancing with the swift
ness of mighty host.
81 wonder if. Giles shut the bar,
looE?" said Esther, hurying out; the1
there was a thunder-clap that seeme'
to shake the universe to its founda
tons. and binding, swirling deluge
1t was four o'clock when Giles Hewitt
logged homeward. Dixey and Topsy
his big black mares, resented bein
held down to sober gait and tossed
their heads and snorted as the.
splashed through puddles. The claye
| mud caked the wheel-rims, streake,
the spokes and chung in tenaciou
blobs to the hubs. Everywhere wer
signs of the storms havoc, and Gile
was conscious of certain ugly misgiv
ings lest the new barn, the pride o
, his heart, might have suffered; but no
as he turned corner he saw it sill
houetted on its hill, dominating tn
landscape, the shining weather-van
all agleam with reflected glories of tn
west.
: He breathed more freely now an
7 critically scanned his neighbor'
: fields to see what damage had bee
wrought.
: When he came in sight of his whit
frame house he wonderedto see mum
Der of people in the yard. Then h
said, "By George, if the old elm hash
been struck. What shame!"
, Dan Comfy, his neighbor, hurrie
to meet him as he turned up the drive
His face was CHASTITY. What on cart
allied the man?
81 say, Hewitt"-he clasped hi
hands mechanically as he called
"stop minute-hold OIL want t
tell you-God Almighty! man, no,
: can L? The lightning struck-Esther
dead! Whoa there!' catching til
e reins that fell from Hewitt's palsie
l hands and leaping to the seat besid
3 him. 'Lean on me! There! Their,
@ You had to know it. God! but it
4 rough"
Il Kind neighbors stood aside in sile1
? groups as Giles Hewitt tottered int
T the room where Esther lay.
4 Oblivious of spectacles he fell o
1 his knees beside her with an exceed
It ing bitter cry.
It ESTHER! Esther! You are not dea,
Speak! Look up! You were alwa.
d good. Esther. You were never III
I reasonable. You shall have that doc
}. made. You shall, I say. Somebod
p get Johnson"
! Crazed with shock and anguish
}; stroked her cold hands. 'Speak
IT me, Esther, speak to me. Do yc
Q want the door?'
e Some of the neighbors left the roo
:" weeping. In the next room Mr.
r Comfy rocked Historically back al
Z forth.
g ''The Lord knows I can't stand
IS to see a man going on So" she erie
'e cts just awful. I says to Dan, sa
O. I, Break it to him gently, Dan, XII,
ID O. lead up to it, and there; he's ju
sr gone and right out with it and shock
le him crazy. Hank! there he goes agai
Dr. talking senseless like about . doc
n ~ e l.: NJ