Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1900-07-26

IL 'front.' OF the mouse; not a single CON
yenience to make work handler OF
easier, and poor mother has had toput
up with it all these years! Why doesn't
: pa have that door cut through for herr?
She shrugged her pretty shoulders.
Say, do tell me if this ham is thin
enough. l want my sandwiches to be
frst-class."
Giles Hewitt was distinctly taciturE
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 he
dressed to go anywhere. She always
put out his clothes, brushed them, tied
his cravat, saw that he had 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 challked 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 pleasurable
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 futtered out, and she
followed TO take a look, fond, proud
look after them as they rode away with
their cavaliers.
1t 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 !
IF wind oapriciously swirled the dust
md caught up sticks and straws in ell
in dances. An old farmer driving by :
allied to a man digging a ditch in a
ield: II guess the dry spell is broken. =
\ shower is coming up"
A gloom almost appalling settled on =,
he landscape; the bees flew to their !.
lives; the cattle snorted and raced :
bout, frightened at the rolling Of .
hunder and the shooting of jayelins =
# fire from the jagged clouds.
There was a going in the treetops, a =
TRANCE, distant murmur of millions of =
aindrops advancing with the swiftness Il
I a mighty host. Il
81 wonder II Giles shut the barn Is
oor?" said Esther, hurrying out; then o
here was a thunderclap that seemed to
halIe the universe TO its foundations, s.
nd binding, swirling deluge! I;
II was four o'clock when Giles Hewitt U
,gged homeward. Dixey and Topsy, I
is big black mares, resented being held e
own to a sober gait and tossed their b
eads and snorted as they splashed
trough puddles. The clayey mud
aked the wheel rims, streaked the
pokes and chung in tenacious blobs to
he hubs. Everywhere were signs of Il
be storms havoc, and Giles was con- a
'ious of certain ugly misgivings lest 4"
ne new barn, the pride of his heart,
light have suffered; but no, as, he h
armed a corner he saw it silhouetted on i.
S hill, dominating The landscape, the e.
inning weather vane all agleam with 81
Effected glories of the west. Y
He breathed more freely now and
scanned his neighbours fields h
} see what damage had been wrought. Is
When he came in sight of the white +,
'ame house he wondered to see a num- {,
er of people in the yard. Then he said: 81
By George, if the old elm hasn't been 8
ruck! What shsmel" Is
Dan Comfy. his neighbor, hurried
OWN to meet him as he turned up the u,
rive. His face was CHASTITY. What on n,
nth allied the man2 4
Il say, Hewitt"--he clasped his =,
ands mechanically as he called-''stop :.
minute-hold on want to tell you /,
God Almighty! man, how can I? The =,
ghtning struck Esther's deadl :,
'hoa, there!" catching the reins that :,
IL from Hewitt's palsied hands and =,
aping to the seat beside him. Lean :.
D me! There, there! You had to know II
God! but it's rough" ~
Kind neighbors stood aside in silent
roups as Giles Hewitt tottered into
lie room where &sther lay.
Oblivious Of spectators, he fell on his
nees beside her with an exceeding 10
liter cry. ia
Esther! Esfherf Won ara ,,1+ III