davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1903-06-14

1 gathered the papers in my apron
with wild idea of burning them all.
But she had seen my face
She took hold CT the counter. for she
was shaking like leaf. and looked ct
me as dumb animal might lock at
man about TO take its life
mo. my darling! No. no." I cried.
for I saw that her dry lips were trying
to form the dreaded word. Then
reached across the counter and caught
her in my arms as she fell toward me
in dead faint
Her child was born that night 1 saw
by the doctors face that he had little
hope her frail strength would hold out.
When morning came she was conscious,
but too weak to speak. IN answer 10 the
agony in her eyes / stopped ana whis-
Dered;
only wounded, my darling: only
wounded"
I saw the tears steal from underneath
her closed white lids afterward
Later in the day l stole downstairs
while she slept. for the neighhors were
coming in. eager to help. and TO con-
graduate me. And then. for the first
tine, 1 learned that il was through the
bravery of Sergeant Grace that tho
lieutenant's life was saved.
Tom mad placed the wounded officer
on his Own horse, and gallopad with him
to the rear. in the teeth of the enemy's
FIRE. My son. God bless himl l sat
down and cried. for I felt suddenly too
weak TO stand.
As I rose to so upstairs again, car
rage drove up TO the door and
lady wrapped in costly furs came In.
Mrs. Grace?~ she asked.
I nodded
They tell ne in the village that you
are the mother Of Sergeant Grace
Madam said 1. and 1 looked at her
with eyes as proud as her own. II have
that honor.
Your gallant son saved-my son $
| life-if-he Is still diving Her face
worked. Ny daughter-in-law. Lady
Hereford, is with you. l am told" shs
said, after moment.
She is And ! have the honor of an
nouncing TO your ladyship the birth 81
an heir"
She staggered. and l thought she
would have fallen.
| / led the way upstairs TO Toms room,
and the proud woman stood and looked
at the poor, pale child On the bed. But
when l put that baby in her arms she
| just said stanley" and her whole
| heart was in the cry.
And now the household Is IN q hustle
of excitement and expectancy. for word
has come that the young lord has OBJ
tanned sick leave and may arrive In
London any day.
And they tell me-but l can scarcely
believe it-that my Tom will get the
! Victoria Cross.
The Washington times., 1903-06-14
A PAIR OF HOMEMADE FRAUDS :. Blu EMMA n WISE

He did explain. but his explanation
did not convince.
Let us see the Paines about this
thing" she said. There is a mystery
here"
darlington trembled when he saw them
at the door
II don't want TO be inquisitive. said
Todhunter to darlington. but would you
mind telling me where you picked up
those little trinkets you disposed of up
in my rooms this afternoon?'
Mrs. Paine awaited herself of the con-
jugal privilege of answering in her nus
bands stead.
Wasn't it a shame to sell them p
she said II tried my best to persuade
him not to. but he would do 1T. He said
he was sick and tired OF having the
things on his hands. The design of most
of the mementos was exquisite, too Mr..
Paine won them when he was a jockey p"
For the first time in her life Mrs.
Parke boosted of Todhunter's achieve
ments. ''Oh, you are mistaken" she
said My husband won them when he
was a jockey
Todhunter and darlington exchanged
significant glances. Todhunter's nerves
were the steadier, and he undertook to
settle the dispute. He reached out his
hand and slapped darlington on the back
Familiarity.
by Jove," he said, ''are you the Tar
rae es that season | was in my prime
have always admired you immensely.
n. glad to meet you
Tarlington's eyes grew watery with
surprise and gratitude.
Thanks" ne said Il really could sit
a horse pretty well in those days, If l
do say it myself"
Todhunter's praise grew still more fer
vid and his slap more resounding.
Pretty well?" he said. why. there
wasn't man on the turf that could
come up TO YOU"
Mrs. Parke and Mrs. Paine shook
hands as token of sympathy.
Isn't 1T strange" said Mrs. Parke,
that the people who gave your hus-
hand prizes should have hit upon the
very same kind of trophies they gave
Todhunter?"
Yes" said Mrs. Paine. They must
have been fashionable that year. But
anyway, those strange condolences do
happen once in a while
Todhunter and darlington, being men
did not perceive the latent sarcasm I'M
c"rlying their wives sugar-coated tones.
hey believed the matter settled, and
as soon as they could get away they
went around the corner and had a drink
rrt they found out later that their con-
gratulatory lfbations had been prema-
ture.
The case was not settled and is not
settled yet. Every two or three days
Mrs. Paine wonders audibly if darlington
ever really rode horse in his life and
MIS-. Parke wonders il Todhunter lied
| to her about selling the trophies The
domestic discord resulting from those
con1ectures is telling on everybody con-
cerned.
The Washington times., 1903-06-14

Elizabeth, not able to free the knit
blade. beat at the leering face with tho
hilt
"Deyili'' clifford cried in rage an
pain. she devili' and would have added
other names more foul. had he not then
gone staggering backward under the
tinker's blog.
Fog moment he lay. the other stand
ing above him. Then, "out with you'll
Jeremy said, laying hold of him with
sinewy hands. -out with you, before
pitch you Quit"
Clifford. recalling the voice. suddenly
recognized the man in the gloom.
You here?7 He got to his feet, for
the other had suddenly loosed him. you
have had the face TO claim your win
nings. tLen?" ne said. THAT accounts
for your care of these preserves
The tinker maze no reply; he stood
stock still; ans he knew, without turn
ing his head. that Elizabeth, by the
fireplace, was as one frozen. Clifford
felt his advantage, though in the dark
he could not see the others face. IN
good sooth." he Knocked, Il gave Mis-
tress Elizabeth credit for more pride
did not know she was TO be had by
any Jack that could iuggle the cards.
But it's ever the way with women:
they're all for the winner, even of pot
house brawli" He was moving back
ward toward the window as he spoke
ne had almost gained it now I'll be-
going, my turtle-doves." he said; It's
a shame to keep you longer from each
other Before l go. one word TO you.1
Master Cheat. II is lightly won and
lightly lost. remember; SO you'd best
keep an eye on this light lady, or she
may be changing lovers again
He had reached the sill now; but be-
fore he was over 1t the tinker was upon
him, his paralysis past, and sudden
silent fury. which weil-nigh proved the
end OF Clifford, mastering him. For
little they struggled. or rather Clifford
struggled, frantic in the smithy GRIP
which was battc-ing the life out of him.
He cried out once. and choked once; af
ter that It seemed the breath was out
of him. And all the while Elizabeth
stood by the fire, making neither sign
nor sound. and none knows whether she
was TOO SluuHeu lot speech OF uHQ SOiiie
content in this chastisement.
At last Clifford, who was half out of
the window when the other seized him.
writhed or rolled free enough TO fall
from the sill TO the herb bed, which lay
but two feet below.
Elizabeth must have been watching
very closely, for as the man fell, and
before the tinker could be after him.
she said:
please TO bar the window
Jeremy halted One cannot bar win
dow from outside, so perforce be must
remain within to do it. He hesItated
moment. glancing out; then he shut the
window and fastened the shutters, thea
turned and faced Elizabeth.
$50 you are he that won me?'' she
said. and her speech was slow and cool.
He bent his head
And you thought TO leave here to-
morrow"
AT daybreak.' he said
Her lips set upon one another, and
her nostrils dilated. She moved toward
the door, but before she opened it she
spoke: Having viewed your winnings,
you Go not find them as good as boosted,
nor worth the taking? I thank you, sir
for the honor you dc me- s
And with that she went out. With head
erect.
CONCLUDED NEXT SUNDAY.
The Washington times., 1903-06-14

He asked him what he did in those
parts, and when he heard that he was
put up in the brewing house at Five
lanes for the pursuit of his trade he
showed much satisfaction. This is ia
nous, said he; I'VE Will walk together,
and you shall tell me how you have
prospered in your wooing, and whether
you are yet determined what course to
follow
Jeremy looked round to see if Eliza
beth heard. but fortunately she was not
too close. Il have decided to give up
any idea of marriage he said.
Obi" Tobiah made answer. Perhaps
you are right: there is little to recon-
mend the married state to such men as
you and me-"
There is much to recommend it..
Jeremy returned; but I see clearly it
is not Cor me-
What" said Tobiah. you have
changed round, brother A few days
gone you were all against it; you were
for liberty and a wandering life-you
had no fancy for hearth and home
The tinker did not deny it. Never
theless," he said, hearth and home
have something nowhere else to be
found; it is pleasant to see the fire glow
and the folk gather round" he spoke
dreamily, with his eyes fixed on dis
lance as if he saw picture-the kitchen
at Ffvelanes and the freight that flick
cred on The hams, and herbs, and onion
strings. ''Ay, my friend" he said, rous-
ing himself, Il did not know till lately
that a man alone could be lonely; a
woman who is no fool is surely good
company and good friend"
But Tobiah did not think highly of the
sex; in his opinion they were all fools
of divers orders, oply differing from one
another in magnitude. This much he
said during the homeward walk, proving
the same incontestably to unhearing
ears. Even If Jeremy had heard, the
logic would have been wasted, for there
was more than an answer to it when
they came to the farm and saw the fire
light glow and the preparations made
for the return of the hungry nut-pick-
ers.
At that season of the year the dairy
maids heads were full of lovers and
counting, and so, consequently, OF
charms and spells to divine who the
future mate was TO be. The great feast
for such maiden magic is All Hallows
Eve; but there were some who could
not wait for that, but must try their
fortunes with philters and spells be-
fore then. Elizabeth. though herself
but little older than the girls, paid no
heed to such things. and even discour-
aged the whispering and mystery that
went on. That night the maids whis-
some old dame had told them of a won
drous posset which, when brewed,
threw off steam with a magic power
TO show IN its clouds the face of the
beloved. Elizabeth heard what they
said when later they mixed this and that
and stirred their piplin together. She
stood a moment to watch them, as if she
too would have taken part; then she
turned proudly away, and they worked
their charm. as they wished, alone.
Elizabeth sat with Tobiah that even
ing and talked gravely, and Jeremy
at Tobiah's request, was hidden to sit
with them. though, since the Dissenter
spoke a good deal of the scandalous
doings at the Fox and Grapes and the
rascal who had presumed TO think he
could win Elizabeth at play, it is pos
sibIe the tinker wished himself else
where. The maids also wished it; they
The Washington times., 1903-06-14

IT. He Todhunter Parkes and the. Tar
nngton Paines have not been
= happy since the Parkes' auction
sale on the 22d of last month. and the
women Of the disquieted households say
they fear they never viii be happy again.
The Parkes and the Paines were neigh
bors for one year. on april 8. 1902, the
agent OF the Harmony apartment house
rented two apartments, the one on the
third floor to Todhunter Parke and the
suite on the fourth floor to darlington
Paine. The two families moved in on
the same day. They were not acquaint-
ed They we're newly married. and that
was their first attempt at housekeeping
Mrs. Parke and Mrs. Paine were delight
ed with the experiment. Mrs. Par1e was
especially so. She admired the piano
and the cabinets and the rugs TOdhunter
had run into debt for the day before.
and when she came TO a battered oak
chest standing in one corner Of the
dining she admired that. Mrs.
Parke did not expect 10 see a box OF
that kind in her new apartment, and, al
though she admired, she asked what was
in u.
trophies. my DEAR said Todhuntec-
Trophies OF What?'
cor the racecoursc" said TcdhunteT.
lis wife backed of 10 the furtberest
corner. Those things can't stay in this
house," she said. Then they argued the
point ell that day and Tar into the night
Mrs Parke held out longest, and Tod
hunter finally promised 70 send curic
dealer around the next day TO set a
price on the things.
The Harrington Paines, being domicil-
ed CT the floor above. were too tar away
TO overhear that arrangement and the
warm discussion leading thereto. but
even II they had been in the adjoining
room the chances are they would have
heard nothing, because they were hold
Ing spirited conversation OF their own
about that time. Mrs Paine began 1t.
Darlington" she said. y think it
strange mat you lead such a sedentary
life"
darlington gave sideIong glance at
the mirror wherein was reflected his
short, rotund figure.
do you. nay dear?" he drawled.
would you like me to do stunts on
horizontal bars and jump hurdles and
that sort o. thing"
III you would DO that sort OF thing
she replied. you might not be SO aw-
fully fat You don't seem 20 have a
drop OF sporting blood In your veins. I
wish you had. l like TO see man take
an interest IL such things"
darlington WINGED. He did not care
for sports SIaaTtins as he was, how
ever, he simulated a virtue that was not
his.
"oh. but 7 do take an interest" he
said. Il am very fond Of them. Before
The Washington times., 1903-06-14

this hour and in this glow could not
keep away"
You fiatter me-" Elizabeth said. with
sneering lips. But somewhat emptily.
since you have parted with all right TO
me at this hour or any other 1 I'M
derstand that you lost me at play. SO
| thus to succumb to my charms is a
felony as any other housebreaking.
The words whipped Gifford-h- NUT
tered an oath. L5ok you" he said.
striding forward, my rights are mine
still; your father gave you to me. and
you are mine. What is that paper
worth, that scrawl given 70 no one
knows who? Dye think the fellow will
dare show his face here and come TO
claim you? Should l have put you on
the table otherwise? You are mine.
tell you, and your house must give me
shelter tonight, for I'm hard put TO II.
Elizabeth smiled in comprehension.
Here. them said she, I'VE have an ex-
PLANTATION of this sudden tenderness, But
you mistake little, think. II not in the
ment of me. I assure you the man who
stakes and loses me at cards loses me
altogether, though the devil himself were
winner. And though this loser, this ten
der lover. were flying for his life, my
door would not open to give him shelter. .
She leaned forward, so that they were
close, and in the freight he could see
her eyes cleaning like steel You
would do well to 60" she said, for
you are the last criminal 1 would har-
Dor beneath my roof. l would advise you
to go now. and go speedily, by window
or door. as you choose"
But he did not go. he gripped her
wrist. You fool" he said. and his
breath was hot upon her. do I not
know this house as well as you? Do I
not know that you are cut off from all
here, alone-alone with me?" He laugh
ed and dragged her closer. II have no
rigE IS. have 1? Nights right, my beau
ty, at this hour
She struggled in his grip; but even
then she did not cry out Loose me. :"
she painted. Loose me. or, by Heaven
above. 1 will kill you,'
He laughed again, and cIasped her
tighter. Well make terms first" said
he.
But she had wrested her left hand
free, and with it felt on the mantelshelf
beside her He thought she was but
struggling for room to strike at him:
he did not know that she felt III the
dark for the knife Jeremy had sharpene1
yesterday. For a moment she felt, then
her fingers closed over it, and she drew
1t toward her. AS she did so she over
turned pewter mug. which came crash
ing to the ground
Clifford did not heed IT; he knew the
kitchen was too far removed from the
, household for the sound to disturb their
SAUNDERS greatly Elizabeth did not heed
it either; she was vainly trying to free
the knife from its close-htting sheath.
There was another. however, who needed
Jeremy, lying in the brewing house.
used to spending his nights in the open,
He heard the noise, and was up at once:
and locating the sound to the kitchen.
he started to see what it might be. Be
fore the clatter had much more than
died away he was across the brewing
to the kitchen door.
First kiss for friendship" SO
voice within said as he came there, then
to sober business. and then a lovers
talk in the freight" and in the dark
his quick ears heard kiss.
There was a sound half outraged cry
half snari, then blows sharp and swift
The Washington times., 1903-06-14

had hoped he would tell them their
fortunes by his heatheuish cards, as he
had done once before. But he did not
do it that night, even when, later, all
gathered about the fire. for Tobiah was
there, and in the presence of that good
man how could such a thing be spoken
of? But they told tales as they sat
eating nuts of the days gathering, and
apples that roasted and spat before
the fire. At first the tinker was silent,
as one with a weight on his mind; but
gradually he threw it off, and told tales
and sang songs, so that all hung on
his words spellbound. Even Tobiah fell
under the fascination, though by de-
grees the tales and songs grew to be
such as he at another time would have
condemned with freedom. But it seemed
it did not matter what the strange
man said. Tobiah, like the lads and
dairymaids, was ready to dance to his
piping, and Elizabeth in her Swallowed
corner watched without speaking. She
knew-but she aIone-that the man was
like one possessed by some reckless
spirit. And recalling how he was now
firmly determined to go on the morrow
whatever befell, she wondered and won
dered the reason of his mood, half fear
Ing, half hoping.
Now. the girls who had brewed their
posset and tried their spell, with what
result is not told, had left the pipkin
holding the mixture on a shelf in the
b-h oil 10
and some indeed were already snoring.
Elizabeth, being restless. went the
rounds of her house to see that all was
safe for the night. Coming to the
sh-house, she saw the pipkin, and
seeing 1t, she suddenly halted. For a
little she looked at it, then stretched out
hand to take it, but drew back again;
but next moment she had it, and hiding
II. though there was none to see, had
carried it to the kitchen Here the
fire still smoldered. and through the
unshuttered window small moon
looked. Elizabeth, paying no heed 10
the window, raked the embers together
and set the pipkin upon them, kneeI-
ing down on the hearth to watch for
posset was cold and the fire low, but
she waited patiently. At last it began
10 come, little curl here, a thread that
rose at the edge of the vessel and
melted almost before it had left its
source. But soon more came, and yet
more, Jets and puffs of fast-rising
steam. She leaned eagerly forward, in
60 -
So intent was she that she did not
hear the window behind her softly
pushed open. So intent that she heard
nothing and saw nothing till she felt
touch on her shoulder, and looked up
with stified cry, to see the face OF Will
Clifford in the gloom above her
She rose to her feet and moved back
ward from the circle of light. The cry
it had been low. and suppressed almost
before it was uttered-Was her only sign
of fear. If her hands shook she cIasped
them over one another and held them
quite still, and her voice when she spoke
was calm and low
What do you want?" she said
You" he answered, leering upon her
in the freight.
He made step forward. but she
stood her ground and he stopped. why
have you broken into house at this
hour?" she asked.
Broken in" he cried; 1.-The window
was open. I swear it, I saw you
through it, saw you in the frelight.
and. by the Lord! when I saw you at
The Washington times., 1903-06-14

this place is but poor shelter now
that the weather grows cold"
4 thank YOU for your hospitality" he
said: eff I may spend yet one mora
night here, I will, but would sooner it
were in this place; it inks me to sleep
with curtains and ceilings too close
about me-
She seemed amused by his whim, but
consented; then she bethought her that
she had little knife that she would
like cleaned and sharpened. She fetched
it, little stiileto of Italian make and
he fell 10 work on it. she watching the
light shoot along the blade as he moved
it While they were. thus busy there
came the sound of the girls returning
from the woods. The tinker hearing
their voices and laughter said: 1.-The
ut-gatherers sound merry"
They do more idling than work in
the woods Elizabeth answered; lit is
almost the best of holidays to them"
Jeremy had been told so. They asked
me to go with them" he explained
Elizabeth wondered which of the maids
had been guilty of such boldness; but
she only said coldly. why did yeu not
go?'
Perhaps the tinker guessed what was
in her mind, for his eyes twinkled as he
| answered, Because 1 had no fancy fol
it. Moreover, SO he said as he APP
piled the knife 10 the stone-"while
am under your roof, and eat your bread
and use your fire, 1 cannot take holt
da- without your leave
you are mighty particular she re-
turned; do you ever take hoIiday?'
Half the year or near it--as often as
like. usually. for usually am nobody S
man but my own"
She seemed Modified. .'The woods are
beautiful now, if you want to make
holiday she said, gently stirring the
nut seasons I go out one day myself
to admire the trees. and see what the
maids do
The tinker felt the knife edge with
careful thumb. ct sounds very fair
he said. Shall tomorrow keep holt
day. and you. tomorrow. go to see what
the maids do?"
He did not look up, turning to set
the knife once more TO the stone, so he
could not have read assent in her face;
yet he guessed that she would come
| And come she did. though she de-
/ cided hundred times between that
evening and the time of setting forth
| the next day that she would never LEND
! countenance to the mans surprising i'm
/ Dudence
But in spite of her decision and re-
OF the morning, long after the nut
pickers had started, they two set forth
for the woods. The day was very fine
still, and golden with clear. low sky
and the air SO thin and crisp that the
robins song came piercing and sweet
as fairy piping. The nut season thai
year was late, for though the summer
had been one of extraordinary drought
rain in torrents had come in September
so that for almost six weeks the
days had been too wet and cold for the
nutting. Now, however, that October
was well advanced, the skies had cleared
again. and the people from the village
and the neighboring farms hurried forth
| to the woods to gather what was left
them of the nut harvest. When Eliza
/ beth and the tinker came to the woods
they saw many OF the folk-here fam
! lily party, there careful mother watch
| ing lest her daughter wandered into the
thick underground. Farther on a freer
maiden rejoicing in her freedom with