Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1905-08-02
! copuri0hs 1905. bu Anita Clay rlunoz

Hetty that, forgetting to pour the milk
Into the pans and set them away for
the cream to rise, she sat on the edge
of the churn, her head resting against
the wall, lost in her rosy hued day
dreams. With her hand in her imagina-
ry lovers, who wore suit of light
blue velvet trimmed with silver braid
ing, she was just making low cour-
tesy before the king of France when
her illusions were roughly dispelled by
the loud, hearty voice Of Simon Kemp
ster, who having seen his adored Het-
ty enter the dairy, followed in her
wake to have a chat with, her. From
the excessive heat and the exercise of
carrying sack Of potatoes long dis
lance Simon's face was red and per-
spring; his rough suit Of homespun,
unbuttoned Mt the throat, soiled and
shabby, hung loosely on his sturdy fig
ure, and his broad farming hat made
Of reeds was torn and broken at the
edges. He laid down the sack and en-
tered. sn =
Startled from her brilliant dreams
by Simon's appearance, Hetty's
uSu COURT VI tllC
king Of France and fastened them
selves upon matters of the present the
most important of which were the full
milk pals. Springing off the churn and
returning Simon's pleased grin with an
absent smile of greeting, she proceeded
to fill the row of pewter pans with the
white foaming milk.
Tanning himself With his broken hat,
Simon watched her from his place at
the door with admiring eyes. 1t oc-
Cured to him that Hetty had never be-
fore looked so pretty. The red color i'll
her cheeks had heightened; her eyes
were brighter; she held her Sittle head
higher, and In his estimation went
about her homely task In the same
manner as would have queen. Look
ing ut her white throat, he thought OF
the silver heart lying on her fair bosom
that he had given her and that she had
received with SO much pleasure
sweet secret safe between him and
Hetty-and his honest heart gave n
great throb.
Stepping to her side, he asked her for
mug of milk. Hetty's pleasant after
noon and her consequent happy day
dreams had left her In sort Of an up
lifted state. She wished good fortune
to all and gave Simon the refreshment
he demanded, with smile Of happi-
ness.
"Poor Simon" she thought as she
carried the first full pan to the but
terry. what kind friend he hath
ever been to me. There's many lone
ly hour would ha' spent without him.
When my lord doth come and I ride
away shall not forget Simon. Hap
pen anon may have influence to have
him made lacley at the court"
Returning for another pan, with her
heart and mind full of her good inten-
lions, Hetty bestowed more than or
binary sweet glance of esteem and
kindly feeling upon her visitor, whose
heart, always full of love for her, ached
now to bursting with fancied encour-
agement. Only when wearing his new
churchgoing black suit, he thought, had
she ever given him kinder glances; So
regardless Of his untidy appearance,
he clasped the astonished Hetty in his
arms, and thoughts that for months
. had been filling his mind now took the
form Of words and sprang from his lips
in sentences expressing his passionate
love for her.
art gone daft, Simon? Ha' done,
tell thee" she cried i'll angry surprise
struggling to free herself from his
strong embrace.
"Hetty, say the word" he entreated
promise to be my wife. Plight thy
troth with me-"
Coward" she cried, "to hold maid
against her will! Dost think I want Q
cowboy for lusband?"
He loosed his hold and drew back as
II stung, with staring eyes and a face
from which all color had gone.
'.Thou dost not love me, Hetty?" he
asked solemnly. "An all our sweet
friendship Is to go for naughtT
"Lovc thee" Hetty gave her head Q
toss. "Whoe'cr put thoughts of my
loving thee into thine idle brain? Nay
silly. Look not SO downcast." she
cried. "an' take my best assurance that
our friendship hath not been in vain
for so dear l hold thee in my heart
that but cen now before thou. spokest
thy foolish utterances l was making
plans for thine advancement"
Unable to understand and much be
wildered, Simon watched Hetty as she
airily lifted her skirts and. holding her
head very high, walked up and down
the dairy in imitation of grand lady.
For thou knowest, Simon,,"' she con
tinued, with patroniZing nod, ''me.
thinks to marry French courtier Yhc
will come anon on white steed to voc
me and take Inc back with him to Par
is, there to set me up in grand palace
with countless serving men and won.
en- to do my bidding"
"Hetty,. what nonsense is this?" ST.
mon cried in desperation. what man
Is this thou lovestW
"'1'is no man that e'er seen as yet
Hetty continued her pacing up and
down.
But know this, Simon Ilempstcr
that I'll ha' none Of thee. Dost think ]
would bother with thy little scraggly
farm when l can be mistress Of a
grand estate? However," she conclud
ed condescendingly, her foolish little
mind slightly troubled by the broken
hearted expression in her companions
eyes, "think not that will forget thee,
Simon. Why, who knoweth but may
make thee overscer of one of my farms
III the provinces. Think on that-thy
bright future-with joyful anticipation,
good Simon"
He came and stood before her with
white, drawn face. depicting desperate
,earnest1less.
"Tllen thou hast meant nothing by
any fair words thou might have spo-
-.s
OF