Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1901-06-27

| OF her nand across neT eyes anu the
hand was quite wet.
1t was the next Wednesday but one,
and Sylvia and her mother and John
Harwood were in the sitting-room.
Judith was getting supper in the kitch-
en-. When it was half-past FIVE she
went out into the back room and put
on an old calico skirt, jacket Of an
tiquated fashion and on her head a
huge sweeping cap.
Then she took the milk pail and Ian
tern and went out to the barn. There
will be time for me to get through be-
fore he starts out, and l can get these
things off. should hate to be seen
in such regimentals.
Fifteen minutes later John Harwood
went to the barn. Sylvia and her
mother had failed to find the milk pail,
so 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
without it,
When be got to the barn he saw in
the light cast by the lantern a gro
tesque figure seated beside the COW.
What are you doing?" he asked
as soon as he had recovered from bis
first surprise.
Milking" was the brief answer
He listened a moment. IL beg
your pardon" he said then, "but you
are not milking, you knOw-and you
are crying"
"Of course, I'm crying" she sobbed.
"Who wouldn't cry to find they hadn't
wit enough to milk horrid old COW
And-and she kicked NE over three
times. Why, Mr.. Harwood, what are
you doing ?"
81 am just putting my arm about
you, and as it is going to stay there
for while, you needn't look so hor-
rifed First let me get my handker-
chief and wipe away these tears
that is better. Now, I want to know
why you were trying to milk that COW. y
Because l hate to have you do it,
and I couldn't stand it any longer.
"But I don't mind doing it."
"Well, I mind having you. Now,
please let me go, or you will be late
to that party"
What party"
"Why, over at Upham Centre. Are
you not going to take Sylvia ?"
mo, l am not. I did think Of it,
but as long as l did not say anything
to her about it l am not going. Not
that I should feel obliged to 60, even
if had said anything-now. Doyou
want to know what l am going to do
this evening""
"Yes."
II am going to stay and visit you.
And before go home you are. going
to promise to marry me"
"Why-why, John"
"Well, what?
"I thought have been trying all
the time to think of you as brother
in-law."
Trying, Judith p
"Yes, because-oh John, don't make
me say it.
"And Judith, said John, 81 believe
I have loved you all the time, only
you have been SO shy and reserved
that didn't know it.
The cow stirred uneasily. Judith
gave a happy little laugh. "Oh, John,
she said, aren't you ever going to
milk that cow"
Eyes, I am. And, what is more, l
am going to milk her every time l
come here, and l am coming oftener
now. So if you feel very badly about
it, you can set the day just as 900 as
you like"
perhaps shall learn to milk yet,
she called back as she went hurrying
to the house. She took off her skirt
and jacket and went to look after the
neglected supper.
"You are getting awfully careless, "
her mother complained. "a little
more and that hot water would have
gone on my foot"
81 should think you were crazy,
said Sylvia, little later. "You go
flying around, singing some idiOtic
song, and what under the sun you
have that hideous sweeping cap on
your head for is more than lean see"
Judith put up her hand and snatched
it off, coloring guiltily.
Seems to me it takes John forever
to milk tonight. Well be late to the
party if we don't look out" Sylvia
said, Grossly.