The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1902-03-07

Polly Fox, who six months before
had gladly left the villages ever in
creasing sisterhood of spinsters to be-
come the wife Of the Reverend Mr..
Fox and mother to the little and big
Foxes, said to her husband. as Ma
tilda, tall and trim. swung down the
village street at a pace that comes
from strength:
It's plum scan'lous-she's got on a
short skirt an her hair down her back.
It's her birthday an she amt done a
lick o work to-day. Jes' left it all for
her mar an Mary. Sed she'd been
slavin' ten year, sence she come home
from college, an she intended havin'
a day OF. They lone a bad thing for
her when they sent her to college. She
got Quare notions an has iouted ev-
cry man in the village. l don't reckon
she'll aout any more"
Matilda left the village behind her
and plunged into a near wood. She
flung herself full length on the ground
and lay there motionless. Life had
brought her nothing of what she had
dreamed.
Their was q fash of moving color
and q burst OF song in the silent wood;
below, the river roared and tumbled in
its eager seward rush. June lay on
the wide, wonderful mountains-June,
with Its glory Of color, it's abundant
young life: and the June time which
lives in the souls Of unwed women was
In Matilda. The June time! 1t revolt
ca at life and death in q country VIII
lage; 1t scorned the spinsters with
their sharp tongues, their sagging
shoulders and sagging hips, their dull
hued lives Of toll.
Suddenly Matilda got to her feet and
began heaping UP the earth into a
mound; she worked industriously and
when she tossed back the heavy braid
OF hair that had slipped over her Shout
der she laughed-a reckless laugh.
It's almost amusing" she said.
II | we're In the secret / am SURE I
would agree with YOU" The voice was
not tar on that had spoken the words.
Matilda turned with the air Of an in
suited princess. The short skirt, the
braided hair accumulated the youthful
look.
! This" she said, hAughtily. sis a pri-
vats wood"
And | am on ! fence" was the calm
reply, and beyond IL the kings high
way"
Matilda gavs the stranger q grave
looking over but ne stood unninch-
insly.
The ceremony was about complet-
ed" Shs spoke more graciously, the
song comes nsxt," She threw back her
head and sang IN = clear. fresh voice.
How tedious ana tasteless the hours"
At the end Of the arst line she stopped
and laughed.
You n putting away the dolls and
playthinss Of lifs!" the man asked.
II found that the dolls were sawdust
and Dut them away twenty-five years
ago" This In Z d~isdainful tone.
What N ancient you are" said the
man.
"Yes," humbly.
The man rot down from the fence
ana came over to Matilda.
What did you bury there?" he
asked, indicating the mound.
NY youth" she spoke deiantly.
"Ye gods!" the man burst into
laughter.
Matilda came . little nearer.
.You are . southernsr and = gentle
man." she said. II know from your
voice and your eyes. I'm celebrating.
It's my birthday. At hrst | wept. You
should have seen the glances that fol-
lowed M down tho street / know how
their tongues wagged when they saw
my hair down my back: they all know
that I nm thirty"
Well" said the man, what II you
are! I've known women Of thirty