The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1901-06-07
- HE young man with the milk pail


sister with fierce Indignation in her
brown eyes.
II wish you wouldn't do that, moth
er," she said in low voice. 1T 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 well as not Ever since
John HarwOod has been coming here
you and Sylvia have seemed to want
TO make n 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
I'm 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"
We'll" 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 monthsw
"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"
4'Well, we gave him your fathers
overalls and frock to wear, didn't WEI"
"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
.
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 HarwOod
came in with the milk, Sylvia, with
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 it 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 cid
est daughter.
Indeed" said John, land did she
make that delicious bread?"
mo" said his hostess, a little shortly,
@Judith made that"
''Now, if you will go in the sitting
room and wait little while, 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 her
habit to sing to herself. SO. forgetting
all about John Harwood, she was soon
singing happily about her work.
Suddenly II strong bass voice Joined
In. She looked quickly toward the sit
ting-room. hut 10 one was in sight, so.
with only slight hesitation, she kept
on, feeling thrill of delight as her
clear soprano was supported by that
vigorous bass.
When the song was ended John APP
peared at the door He looked at Judith
with interest.
Il did not know you could sing" he
said.
Il don't think you know it now" she
said, deprecatingly. Il just hum a little
to myself once in while. but the 9th
ers don't like to hear it,
You ought not to dlsparage your
ability. | took few lessons once, bur
if I'd had as good a voice as you
would not have given it up"
Il wish | could take lessons. but
never had time. l know l don't do it
right, and that is why l 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.
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 anti
Quated fashion, and on her head a
huge sweeping cap.
Then she took the milk pail and Ian.
tern and went out to tie barn. 'Therell
be time for me to get through before he
starts out, and l can get these things
off. l should hate to be seen in such
regimentals."