Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1901-05-25


she turned away in disgust. Another
woman, an that un. of all others. in
my place.
Only by experience could one under.
stand what Maria now felt,
During the years that hal passed,
hard crust had formed over her heart,
and buried almost out of sight the af'
lection she felt for her brother and
her home. But the scene within,
which told her that what had been
could be no more, that there was an
other to share her brothers tolls and
cares, broke the crust ana left her
heart sore and aching. She laid her
head on the cold. bare window sill
and wept.
But the thought the bitterest drop
in her cup. that she had brought it on
herself, made her wipe her face rough
ly ON her shawl.
I'll go back ter Mary's. fer CANT
think of Twin in the same house with
her, even cf Jim wanted me-" Her
lip trcmbled pitcuusly. "Gooi-by dear
oil home. guess I'll never BE- this
near ye agin.' And she turned away,
taking little heed of the noise she
made in the leaves till she heard stir
within.
who's that" called Jim's voice.
Maria paused. They must never
know she had come back. But in the
stiffness her every moyeme mt could be
heard. She stood shivering ill an in
spiration came.
"M,-aul!" She mimickcd cat per-
fectly
Them blasted cats agin!"exclaimed
jim. Scat, scat And he stamped
on the floor with his heavy boots.
81 blievc every cat in the neighbor-
hood comes to that corner as soon as
it's good dark" said Kathe.
The sound of that voice impcllel
Maria Il few steps further, she gave
another dismal "miaul' rs she went.
Jim started up. ana she heard his
heavy steps as he attempted to cross
tie floor stpalthly. She crouched
CCse to the wall, hoping If he came
out he would overlook her. But jim.
instead of coming out, was going up
stairs.
Hes arter his gun" she thought.
IL guess he won't shoot straight down,
Anyway, I'll hey to stay fer EFF run
he'll be shore to fire on me.
She waited anXiously for Jim's next
move, and he did not keep her long
in suspense. From an upper window
Il bucket of icy water leluged her,
while jim, engaged in IA species OF war
dance, shouted Scat" at the top Of
his voice.
Maria barely suppressed scream
as the cold water ran down her back
and soaked through her clothing. The
thought of walking a half mile after
such a bath would have been out of
the question at any other time; but
now she bounded to her feet, and res
gardless of the noise of her steps, was
running through the leaves when
jim, with a final vOciferOuS Scat.
dashed the bucket from the window.
1t struck Maria on the head and with
a frightened scream she fell to the
ground.
Jim heard the cry and rushed out,
closely followed by his bride.
oh Kathie, it's Malier! DO you
a'pose I've killed her?'
NO. answered Kathie, soothingly,
"she amt dead Go buill a fire in her
room right quick, while | get her
some dry clothes
Maria scarcely knew, or was too
sick to care, where she was all night,
and Jim brought the doctor to see her
before breakfast.
The injury from the bucket was
triling. The doctor said her illness
was a general breakdown, caused
probably by overwork and exposure.
"She never would take keer of her
self" jim said to Kathie. But now
you kin watch arter her. and mebbe
persuade her ter be keerful."
81 don't know" answered Kathie,
doubtfully. I'm afeard she don't like
me much
She'll soon larn to love yer,
though said Jim, fondly stroking the
Sunny hair.
Jim's words were prOph ctic. Long
before Maria was well enough to be
moved to her sisters she had learned
to love gentle Kathie. her faithful and
affectiOnate nurse.
And in the peacefully happy years
that followed if Maria and Jim seemed
on the verge of quarrel. it was
Kathies soft words that soothed the
ruflled tempers, and made all calm
and serene again.-Waverley Maya