Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-01-29

making their own ideas understood than in
understanding the ideas Of their audience
Old Mrs. Scots zeal was partly religious,
an inheritance from her Puritan ancestry;
Mrs. Hae's was the afTability of . ,cntlo
woman and the obligation of her portion.
To this was added the slight languor OF tho
cultivated American wife, whose health has
been affected by the birth of her FIRST child.
and whose views of marriage and maternity
were slightly tngcd with gentle GCcpicsni.
She WINS sincerely attached to her husband,
"who dominated the household" like the rcs;,
of his "women folk" with tho faint con-
sciousness Of that division Of service which
renders the position of the sultan of sorag-
Ito at once so prominent and SO prccarioc3
Tho attitude of John Hale in his family cir
Gle was dominant because it had never ccen
subjected TO criticism or comparison; and
pcrilous for the same reason.
Mrs. Hale presently joined her sister on tho
vcranda, and, shading her eyes with nnr-
row white hand, glanced on tho procpcc6
with polite interest and la1ylikc urbanity.
The searching sun, which, as Miss Kate onco
intimated, was ''vulgarity ITSELF" stared at
her in return, but could not call bjusi, 20
her somewhat sailow check. Neither could
il detract, however. from the delicate prctti-
ness of her refined face, with its sof5 grey
shadows, or the dark, gentle eyes, whose
bluc-veined lids were just thon wrinklcd into
coqucttishly mischicvous lines by tho strong
light. She was taller and thinner than Kate,
and had at times certain shy, coy sinrosity
of movement which gavc her moro virginia.
suggestion than her unmarried sister. For
Miss Kate, from her earliest youth, had been
distinguished by that matronly scdatcncss Of
voice and step, and completeness of figure,
which indicates some members of the gallina
ceou5 tribe from their callow infancy.
81 suppose John must have stopped at tho
Summit on somo business" said Mrs. Hale,
"or he would havo been here already. It's
scarcely worth while waiting for him, unless
you chdcco to ride oyc. and mcco him. You
might change jour drcs," sho continued,
looking dcuhtfrlly al Kate, costume. "Put
on your riding ha6it, and tako Manuel with
you"
HAnd take tho only man wo have, and
leave you alonc.' returned kato slowly.
mop
"Thoro arc tho Chinese field hands, said
Ms. Halo; "you must correct your ideas,
and really allow them sono humanity, Kate.
John says they have avery good compulsory
school system in tncir own country, and can
read and wriGc.'
THAT would Ike of little use to You hero
alone if-ir'-Eato hcetated.
at wtat.' said Mr9. Hale, smiling. Are
yon thinking Of hIanucl's dreadful story of
the grizzly tracks across tho fields this morn
ing. | promise you that neither | nor
mother, nor Minnie, shall stir out of tho house
until your return, il you wish it,"
"l wasn't thinking of that" said Kate
"thouGh don't boliovo tho beating of gong
and tho using OF strong, language is tho best
way 10 friBhtcn u grizzly from tho house.
Besides, tho Chinese arc going down the river
to-day to funeral, or q wedding, or feast
OF stolen ohckcns-thoy're all the same-and
won't be here"
Then tako Manuel" repeated Mrs. Hale
"Wo havo the Chinese servants and Indian
!
knows what. | havo the greatest confidence
in Chy-Ice rs q warrior, and in Chinese war
faro generally. One has only to hear hin
| PIPE Ill tlnlo OF peace to imagine what tcrrOl
he might become in war time. Indeed, any
thing moro deadly and soul narrowing thar
that love song he sang for us last night can
not conceive. Bat really, Kate, am no
afraid to stay alone. You know what .olr
says: VIC Ought to bc always prepared 10
anything tA2t might happen
MY de-. JOSIE" returned Kate, putting
her arm around her sisters waist, II am per
foctly convinced that if Three fingered Jack
or Two-tocd lii, or even joaquin Muriett;
himself should sep, red handed, ON that We
ranaa you would gently invite him to take
cup Of. tea, inquire GLout the state of tn
road, and refrain delcately from any allu
sionj to tho sheriff But shan't tai;
Manuel from you. | really cannot under
take to look after his morals at the station
and keep him from drinking agualdcnt
with suspicious characters at the bar 1t
true he 'ksscs my hand in his speech, cvc1
when j. is thickcst. ard offers hi, back 20 M
for q horse bloc, bat | think | prefer til
sober end honest familiarity Of even tina
I.Ec county landlord who is satisfied to say
Jump, girl, and III kotch yer'
II hopo yoa didn't change your manner I
either o. them foc that" said Mrs, Hale vii
& faint sigh. John wants to be good friend
with thcn, and they arc behaving quit
docently Ictciy, considering that they can