The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1904-11-20

Sereny. or our fats all in the fire. 'Tain't ofn l
set out to cross yer mother in her idees. but we've
got to now. and you've got to help. an the best way to
help is not to bender. If we don't come out ahead
now. | don't b1eeve I'd ever git up spunk enough
to try agin. Don't you let on that you've said a
word to me. an Ill go over an have a talk with John.
an kinder reckon we'll get the start o yer mother
an Mr.. Parks. Mr.. Thomas tried TO speak bravely.
and assumed a meekly defiant air. but the fact was
that he was trembling in his boots as he thought of
the day of reckoning that must follow the success of his
scheme if his wife discovered his agency in the case.
He came back from his visit to John just before
"chore-tine. " looking scared and excited. Mrs.
Thomas noticed his appearance. and asked what the
matter was.
Il shouldn't wonder if l had a touch O. rheumatic
a-comin' on or neuralgy, or both together" he an
swered, pretending to have a severe twinge of pain in
his neck and face. Its the weather. l guess.
don't want no supper. Sereny. | wish't you'd git
the bottle O linimunt an rub on some while Billy's
mixin' the mash fer the COWS. Better bring it inter the
woodshed. cause yer ma alays complains of it scentin'
up the house so"
1t would be hard to say which of the two was more
excited as they held council together in the privacy
of the woodshed.
Its all settled, Sereny. said her father. looking
cautiously about him, as if fearing that his wife might
be in hearing distance. You're to go over to the
Perkinses after supper. an John1l be there, an when
you start fer home he'll go with you, an you're to
go right over to Elder Ho'com's an lie married. The
elder1l be expectin' We, anil set up till after nine
waitin'. l told him all about it. an he SAYS we're
dom Jest right. That's ccnsolin'. comm from a
minister @ the gospel. but | don't s'pose it'd count
much with yer mother, Dear me! | dread to-morrer,"
and poor Mr.. Thomas hands shook so that his milk-pai1s
ratified as if he was trying to play a tune with them.
Il guess I'll run over and see how Mrs. Perkins is"
said Serena after supper. Her voice sounded strange and
unnatural as she said it, and as she caught sight of her
self in the glass she saw that she was as white as a ghost:
but her mother was so tired out with the labors of the day
that she noticed nothing unusual in Screna's face or tone.
and the girl got away from the house without arousing
any suspicious.
1t was perhaps ten O'Clock when she came home. Mr..
and Mrs. Thomas had been in bed for nearly two hours:
but Mr.. Thomas had not been able to sleep. Indeed,
he was SO excited that he felt as if he might never sleep
again. Thoughts of tomorrow kept running through
his head. 1t was like waiting for the day of Judgment.
or worse. He felt as if he had more courage to face
the great and notable day of the Lord" than his
wife when she discovered the truth.
Everybody was up bright and early.
You did as | told We, didn't yc?" asked Mr..
Thomas in a quavering whisper of Serena, when her
mother was out of sight in the pantry.
~ Yes" answered Serena, with a blush
VI and a catch of her breath. as if she
half-expected her mother to rise up