The White Pine news. [volume] (Treasure City, Nev.) 1868-1906, 1901-06-27
OF AN ANATEU R

sister with fierce Indignation In her
brown eyes.
II wish you wouldn't do that, moth.
er, she said in low voice. at is per
fectly horrid to ask visitor to milk
the COW. You know father will be
home in half m hour and he can do II
then just as well us not. Ever since
John Harwood has been coming here
you and Sylvia have seemed to want
TO make a hired man of him, getting
him to bring in wood and do errands
and milk. Father, too, always keeps
out Of the way Wednesday afternoons
so as to get out of doing all the work
he can. | feel ashamed to look people
In the face"
There, that will do" said Mrs. Sim.
mons, sternly. 81 guess John isn't toe
good to help US llttle.'
But he has his own work to do be
fore he comes here"
We'll" said Sylvia with a shipper
The seems TO like to come, just the
same. How many times has he been
here to supper the last two monthsF
And to-day" Judith said holly. "of
all times, when he is going to take
/ Sylvia to that dance, and has come
with his best clothes on"
well. we gave him your fathers
oyeralls and frock to wear. didn't wer'
You are altogether too particular, F."
said Sylvia, contemptuously. Don't
yon know that II you get folks to do
things for you II makes them like you
all the better? And, besides, II isn't
any OF your affair, so you needn't get
so excited about II. He doesn't do the
things for you. SO you can forget all
about It," and Sylvia laughed rather
unpleasantly.
When, n little later. John HARDWOOD
came in with the milk, Sylvia, with n
sweet smile, went forward and took
the pail from his hand. $50 good of
you" she murmured.
She carried the pail into the pantry.
Here, Judith" she said. cant you
strain the milk7 Don't make me stand
here holding II all night" She did not
know 1t, but the young man heard what
she said.
At supper time Mrs. Simmons passed
the cake to the guest. Sylvia made II"
she said, with fond glance at her ED
est daughter.
Indeed" said John. "and did she
make that delicious breadf"
NO" said his hostess. a little shortly.
judith made that"
Now, II you will go In the sitting
room and wait little while. l will be
all ready" said Sylvia when they rose
from the table. "If you can help me.
mamma, It won't take so long"
Thus JAdith Me%efta Pda94t%taas The The
habit TO sing to herself. So. forgetting
all about John Harwood, she was soon
singing happily about her work.
Suddenly a strong bass voice Joined
In. She looked quickly toward the sit
tng-room, but no one was in sight, so,
with only a slight hesitation. she kept
on, feeling a thrill of delight as her
clear soprano was supported by that
vigorous bass.
When the song was ended John ap-
peared at the door. He looked at Judith
with interest
81 did not know you could sing" he
said.
81 don't think you know It now" she
said. deprecatingly. 81 Just hum little
to myself once in a while, but the 9th
ers don't like TO hear H."
you ought not to dlsparage your
ability. took few lessons once, but
II I'd had as good a voice as you
would not have given 1t up"
81 wish | could take lessons. but |
never had time. know / don't do 1t
right. and that is why l never want
any one to hear me- l forgot you were
listening"
Just then Sylvia appeared.
Judith was left with her dish
washing. Once she passed the back of
her hand across her eyes and the hand
was quite wet
1t was the next Wednesday but one,
and Sylvia and her mother and John
Hnrwood were In the sitting-room.
Judith was getting supper In the kitch.
en-. When 1t was half-past five she
went out into the back room and put
on an old calico skirt. a jacket of anti
quated fashion, and ON her head Il
huge sweeping cap,
Then she took the milk pail and Ian
tern and went out TO the barn. 'Therell
be time for me to get through before he
starts out, and | can get these things
off. | should hate to be seen In such
Fifteen minutes later John HARDWOOD
went to the barn. Sylvia and her moth
er hnd failed to find the milk pail, so
he had taken the next best thing,
large tin pail with straight sides and
no strainer. The lantern was missing
also, but he said he could manage with
out It.
When he got to the barn he saw In the
light cast by the lantern a grotesque
figure seated beside the cow.
"What are you dolng?" he asked as
soon as he had recovered from his first
surprise.
Milking" was the brief answer
He listened moment. II beg your
PARDON" he said then, but you are not
milking you know-and you are cry
ing"
She sprang to her feet and faced him.
The pail fell with clatter and the COW
kicked spasmodically.
"of course I'm crying" she sobbed.
"who wouldn't cry to find they hadn't
wit enough to milk a horrld old COW?