Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1902-04-03

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cove, an yen never see nary bit
more of neither of en-
, THAT letter said, fer Sally Apn let
Polly read it, that Bud had heared that
Sally Ann wuz bein' pestered by sew
eral other fellerS, but that he wuzn't
scared about them a-sparkin her; he
knowed that when he come to fetch
her away, that would be the eend OF
their sparkin', when she read the let
ter my woman said ez how Sally Ann
he'd tied a red ribbon round her neck,
an he'd put on her Sunday clothes, she
wuz that set up over the news"
VNu lie!" said the pale-skinned
young man, as he mounted his horse.
81 hey that letter in my pocket right
now a takin' it to her; hit hain't never
been opened yit; yer woman's never
laid eyes on it, an all that rot which
we've been talkin' is lies, an We know
it. Hyar's the letter, and you-uns kin
see fer yerse'ves that hit hain't been
broke open nary bit. Good eyenin',
square. ] reckon yen be a-tellin' the
rest of what yer woman read, but
| hain't got time TO listen"
With this parting shot the young
man rode off at a trot, leaving the little
group to receive the squire's further
information as they chose. Jim Far
ner was indeed in love with Sally Ann, |
and the constancy which she had |
shown in her feelings for her old lover
had been a source of much bitterness /
to him. "IHit seems like she mout a
TUX up with me after he went away |
from the cove. Ef he didn't think the
mountains wuz good enough fer him,
why does he come along an take off
one Of our gals? She'll die ef she hev
20 leave, an he he'd ort to know it; She
can't stand beiu' away from this set
Element"
Now Jim could see the light Of her
mothers cabin far up on the mountain,
and he turned into the trail which
would soon lead him to the side Of
Sally Ann. His heart beat faster as he
approached the dwelling. This would
be, perhaps his last visit. Afterwards
he planned TO go into the far west, any
where, he thought, to escape the mem
ory of his blighted hopes.
The door was open, and after stop
ping a moment to speak to the dog,
who had recognized him, he crossed
the narrow porch. His steps were ar
rested, however, as he saw the Widow
Larkin bending over the bed, tanning
Sally Ann, whose face seemed very pale
to him, as he stood there in the shadow
watching. The widow looked up, and,
smiling family, came outside, shutting
the door after her. "She's asleep
whats the matter Martha?
hedn't heared that She wuz sick abed."
"She hain't been on her feet fer these
two weeks. We ricollect she wuz right
puny when ye wuz hyar the last time.
Two or three days after that She tux
to her bed, an she amt eat skasely
anything since. Hits the knsump-
ton. Use afeared; an then too she's
that crazy over Bud that hit makes it
all the wusser. At times | think that
his fergittin' her has brung il on soon
er. She KEEP expectin' him to write,
an ontil she TUX to her bed, she never
failed a-goin' down fer that letter
which never come. Thar, she's woke
up, an | reckin she'll be glad to see ye,
only she's that weak she can't talk long
at a stretch. Here's Jim, Sally Ann,
come up fer TO see how yer FARM"
"Oh, I'm a-gittin pretty weak, Jim;
reckon we won't fuss at each other
much longer. we've alluz treated me
fair an squar', Jim, an I'm 'bleeged to
ye fer that; we've never lied to me, an
p'raps that's more than kin say fer
some Of my friends"
Air We talkin' about Bud, Sally I
inn?"
Did | say anythin' about Bud, Jim?" :
he said, family.
"Nary word, Sally, but / lowed We
meant him, an eff We did, hit may be ez =
kin hep We a little. Here's a letter
hat l lowed come from him."
A cry of joy was the only response, t
nd he saw that the news had made
Ter faint away. In an instant her a
mother was at her side, and in a short =
while brought her back to conscious
ess. Sally Ann snatched the letter
rom his grasp, and pressed it first to
Ter lips, then tightly against her \
iosom. A smile Of satisfaction lighted \
Up her thin wan face and the watchers
ould see that the death angel lowered
yer her head, that her frail body n
would soon be tenantless.
Slowly she extended her arm to Jim
nd handed him the letter.
"Mammy's no scholar, Jim; We read :
fer me? Yer my friend, amt We, n
im?"
With trembling lips he began to M
cad, while She strained every nerve 20
IS utmost tension, listening eagerly,
er eyes fairly glowing with expec- 3
ancy: Dear Sally Ann, / love-" u
lie got no further. Those words n
-ere like a breath from heaven. Her \.
ace flushed, then grew deathly pale, \
nd with the word bud" upon her lips !,
he died, fully convinced Of his faith m
illness. r