Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1904-09-22

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After the sermon she fingered TO avoid
George. Let his walk home with that
silly Sadie Griggs if he enjoyed such
company, and he seemed to. She walked
deeorously beside her sister and brother
| in-laW, who were discussing anew the
little shortcut through the alders.
1T is all right, JEAN" said he, for
you to be kind to Mary Ann. but don't
like her conspicuous way OF supplying
you with herbs, and as for that path
through the alders, l shall have II closed
with a good strong fence before the
ground freezes. We have no use for 1t
ourselves. and if Mary Ann or the other
paupers wish TO visit US, let them come
around by the road"
Now, Jack, what harm does it dor
said his wife in her gentle way. 1T is
full a mile farther by the road, and poor
| McDougall is too rheumatic TO take any
extra steps. and her visits to us and my
little gifts to her are the only solace she
has"
You make a nuisance OF her" said
Viola, who was feeling hard and bitter
against the whole world in spite of her
naturally sunny disposition. you can't
imagine how it mortifies me, she went
on, TO hear her tell folks you are just
like a sister TO her, and see her rush up
to you. when you chance TO meet in pub
lie. and greet you with all the familiarity
of an intimate friend And that short
cut through the alders," here her voice
grew hard with misery as she thought
of George. who had once kept II well
worn with his frequent calls. but now
never designed to use il. that shortcut
is a nuisance, as Jack says, and
wouldn't keep It open for the benefit Of
tramps and paupers any longer"
why, Violal" said Jean Ii surprise,
what ails you to-day? You know il
would break poor McDougalls heart 20
close that path. and you have always
been SO kind to her. too
But they had now reached the house.
and Viola rushed to her room without
pausing 10 reply
The next day she threaded her way
through the winding alder-bordered
patch IN search Of Wild asters, she said;
but If so. she forgot 70 gather any and
was sitting disconsolately on a log By
the old spring when Mary Ann. in pur-
suit Of gold thread. ran upon her But
for once she had no smile or merry small
talk for the poor old creature who, after
a vain attempt al conversation, went on
her way disconsolately.
THAT girl amt well. mumbled the
old woman. as she sank down 10 rest near
the gate which opened on the highway.
She won't take pennyroyal nor eatnip
nor nothin but she don't look right, and
she don't act right. and she's as cross as
a poor ereeterl" And the old crone
shook her head forebodingly.
Now, who that comin'?' she asked
herself. as she heard a heavy step APP
preaching from the highway She craned
her neck and strained her dim eyes in the
direction Of the sound
George Waynei' she chuckled, her
face lighting up with q sudden inspira-
ton
Then she did a strange thing. She
quickly jerked OF one Of her rubbers and
hid in beneath her shawl, then began
to moan and complain.
"Nhs. Auntie, what's the trouble?'
asked George, leaning on the gate and
gazing down upon her quizzieally
"Oh." she whined, holding out her
rubberless foot for his inspection. they
was bran new only last month, and
now ones gone. dasnt go home with
out It. and l dasn't go back for il and wet
my foot
You are in bad fix, surely. Auntie,'
said he. loosely but why can't I find
the missing rubber for you? 1t can't be
Tar Of"
"Oh, no said she eagerly. II you
take the path through the alders and
turn to the left tin you reach the spring.
it will be all right, I'm sure. for didn't
60 a step beyond there, and thank you
kindly, sir
After making sure he was out Of sight
she replaced her rubber and settled back
comfortably upon her knoll with self
satisfied smile Hell find her. and
never lied once she chuckled, shaking
with silent mirth.
She waited patiently a half hour or
more, when she heard the low happy
voices Of the young couple approaching,
but before they reached her, they turned
back toward the house. She could see
through the tangled alders that his arm
was about Violas waist and she heard
him murmur, 4 shall always love this
little shorter for your dear sake. Then
they disappeared totally forgetting the
old woman whose little scheme had re-
stored their happiness Housekeeper.