The St. Johns herald., 1901-08-03
co HE young man with the milk pail

: brown eyes.
 ''I wish you wouldn't do that, moth er," she said in a low voice. Tt is per fectly horrid to ask a visitor to milk the COW. You know father will be home in half an hour, and he can do 1t then just as we'll as not. Ever since John Harweod 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 eau. I feel ashamed to look people in the face"
 ''There, that will do," said Mrs. Sim mons, sternly. q guess John isn't too l good to help us little."
 But he has his own work to do be- fore he comes here"
 Well" said Sylvia with a simper, "he seems to like to come, just the same. How many times has he been here to supper the last two monthsY
 "And today" Judith said hotly, "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 overalls and frock to wear, didn't we"
 "You are altogether too particular" said Sylvia, contemptuously. Don't you know that if you get folks to do things for you 1t makes them like you all the better? And, besides, 1t isn't any of your affair, so you needn't get so excited about 1t. He doesn't do the things for you, so you can forget all about it." and Sylvia laughed rather unpleasantly.
 When, little later, John Harwood came in with the milk, Sylvia, with sweet smile, went forward and took the pail from his hand. "So good of yOu," she murmured.
 She carried the pail into the pantry. "Here, Judith" she said, "can't you strain the milk? Don't make me stand l here holding 1t 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 it," she said, with a fond glance at her eld- est daughter.
 Indeed" said John, "and did she make that delicious bread?"
 "No," said his hostess, little shortly, "Judith made that"
 "Now, if you will go in the sitting room and wait little while, I will be all ready" said Sylvia when they rose from the table. "If you can help me, mamma, 1t won't take so long,"
 Thus Judith was left alone with the dishes. When she was alone it was her 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 ting-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-
 
 with interest.
 q did not know you could sing" he said.
 q don't think you know 1t now," she | said, deprecatingly. 'I just hum little to myself once in while, but the oth- CTS don't like to hear it."
 "You ought not to disparage your ability. took few lessons once, but | If I'd had as good a voice as you | would not have given 1t up."
 ''I wish I could take lessons, but I | never had time. 1 know I don't do 1t | right and that is why I never want any one to hear me. 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.
 It 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 1t was half-past five she went out into the back room and put on an old calico skirt, jacket of anti quated fashion, and on her head a huge sweeping cap.
 Then she took the milk pail and lan- tern and went cut to the barn. 'There'll be time for me to get through before he starts out, and I can get these things off. I should hate to be seen in such regimentalS."
 Fifteen minutes later John Harwood went to the barn. Sylvia and her moth CT had failed to find the milk pail, so he had taken the next best thing, a large tin pail with straight sides and no strainer. The lantern was missing also, but he said he could manage with out 1t.
 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 doing?" he asked as soon as he had recovered from his first surprise.
 Milking" was the brief answer. He listened a moment. "I-I 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 a chatter and the COW kicked spasmodically.
 "Of course Pm crying" she sobbed. ''Who wouldn't cry to find they hadn't wit enough to milk horrld old COW? And-and she kicked me over three