Holbrook argus., 1901-07-20
GO HE young man with the milk pail

in his hand went out of the room,
q and as the door closed behind him
Judith turned toward her mother and
sister with fierce indignation in her
brown eyes.
81 wish you wouldn't do that, moth
err" she said in low voice. at 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 it
then just as we'll as 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. 1 feel ashamed to look people
In the face"
''There, that will do" said Mrs. Sim
mons, sternly. 81 guess John isn't too
good to help US little"
But he has his own work to do be-
fore he comes here"
WELL" said Sylvia with a shipper,
che seems to like to come, just the
same. How many times has he been
here to supper the last two months?
"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
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 it makes them like you
all the better? And, besides, it isn't
any Of your affair, so you needn't get
so excited about it. He doesn't do the
things for you, so you can forget all
about it," and Sylvia laughed rather
unpleasantly.
When, little later, John HARDWOOD
came in with the milk, Sylvia, with a
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 milk? Don't make me stand
here holding 1t all night" She did not
know it, 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 fond glance at her eld-
est daughter.
Indeed" said John, land did she
make that delicious breadH
NO." said his hostess, little shortly,
judith made that"
''Now, if you will go in the sitting
room and wait little while, 1 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 Judith was left alone with the
dishes. When she was alone it was hel
habit to sing to herself So, forgetting
all about John HARDWOOD, she was soon
singing happily about her work.
Suddenly a strong bass voice Joined
In. She looked quickly toward the sit
dng-room, but no one was in sight, so
with only a slight hesitation, she KEPT
on, feeling a thrill Of delight as hel
clear soprano was supported by thai
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" hi
said.
81 don't think you know 1t now" sht
said, deprecatingly. 81 just hum little
to myself once in a while, but the 9th
ers don't like to hear It."
you ought not to disparage you
ability. took few lessons once, bu
If I'd had as good a voice as you
would not have given it up"
81 wish 1 could take lessons, but
never had time. 1 know 1 don't do /
right, and that is why I never wan
any one to hear me. forgot you wer,
listening"
Just then Sylvia appeared.
Judith was left with her dish
washing. Once she passed the back O
her hand across her eyes and the hant
was quite wet.
1t was the next Wednesday but one
and Sylvia and her mother and JOIN
Harwood were in the sitting-room
Judith was getting supper in the kitch
en-. When it was half-past five sh,
went out into the back room and pu
on an old calico skirt, a jacket Of anti
quated fashion, and on her head
huge sweeping cap.
Then she took the milk pail and Ian
tern and went out to the barn. 'There'l
be time for me to get through before h.
starts out, and 1 can get these thing
off. 1 should hate to be seen in sucl
regimentals."
Fifteen minutes later John HARDWOOD
went to the barn. Sylvia and her moth
er had failed to find the milk pail s.
he had taken the next best thing,
large tin pail with straight sides ant
no strainer. The lantern was missin.
also, but he said he could manage with
out it.
When he got to the barn he saw in tn
light cast by the lantern a grotesQu
figure seated beside the COW.
what are you doing?" he asked a
soon as he had recovered from his frs
surprise.
Milking" was the brief answer