Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1905-07-19

Il was but thinking on my little young
leifer, Hctty, SO lost the run O. my
words" he concluded lamely.
''There, l knew it!' she exclaimed
angrily. Thou vast going to COM
pare me TO thy heifer"
She sprang from her seat and, hastily
pulling in the window easement, said
sharply, with no desire to conceal her
pcttishness: 'If thou hast no better
talk than that, forsooth, thou'd better
be on thy way, Simon. A body d love
to look like an old cow" she wound up
sarcastically.
To Simon, who saw beauty in every
thing connected with his snug little
farm. Hetty's dislike to his gentle fiat
teries was always mystery to him,
so he scratched his forehead nervous
ly, knowing that lie had offended again
mwittingly and wishing from his
heart that he had not come, when the
reason of his visit occurred to him.
Approaching his companion, lie thrust |
his hands awkwardly into his brooches
pocket and, pulling out little packet,
handed it to her.
"'Tis a rinket for thee, Hetty."
A hot flush was on his face. There
vast u peddler at the Sign of the Red
Heart aselling them, and when l saw
the gewgaws thought ut once on thee.
Thou'rt so fond of trinkets, Hetty."
Had he succeeded in pleasing her
this time? Simon's heart beat rapidly,
and he could scarcely breathe with sus-
pense as she slowly undid the wrap
ping, picked up the chain and hung 1t
on the end of her finger, dazed ex-
preston in her eyes; then she laughed
low, thrilling, happy laugh
"Thou didst buy 1t for me, Simon?"
"For thee, sweet Hetty."
The honest fellows voice trembled
with feeling. and tears of delight
sprang to his eyes at sight of her pleas.
ure. "'Tis good luck charm for low
ers, they say"
"Ha' done, Simonw
Hetty, dangling the chain and heart
before the light of the candle, blushed
furiously. "Aiust do foolish things like
spending thy money for trinkets for n
cross patch maid who e'er finds fault
with thee wiout adding on thy silly
nonsense!"
wilt wear it, Hetty:" he whispered,
coming nearer.
aye, gladly, Simon!' she cried, de-
lighted with the gift, then, undoing the
clasp and putting the chain about her
white throat, said: "Could-couldst thou
fasten it, Simon? My fingers are all
thumbs, am I'm all a-lustcr with sur
prise"
He sprang to her assistance, taking
the ends of the chain from her small
hands.
..Ah, lackaday," she continued in a
Tower voice, II must wear it meath my
kerchief, ween, as mother Is so wrath
full at a body's wearing gcwgaw. She
says they are implements of the devil
to make maids vain and worldly.
Shame, Simon! Thou needst not pinch
my neck with thy clumsy manners.
Hist! Ills mothcr!'
They sprang apart. Hetty sank into
a chair, hastily covering up the chain
and pendant, and Simon. bending over
an open Bible. turned over the pages
slowly, as if intent Oh looking for Il Ger
tain verse
Mrs. Taunston entered, closing the
door after her. Good even, Simon
Kempster. Tie night air groweth
| chill"
"a fair greeting, good mistress"
Simon pushed Il chair toward her.
"YesternOrn Josiah told me that some
of thy lambs We're i'll, and l did but
| stop in to see If they were better of the
malady."
The dame seated herself gloomily.
"Ah, woe is mew she sighed. "Alrs
adversely and trouble! Two more sheep
lay down with the disease tonight. But,
worse than that, Josiah, my good son.
who hath ever had hearty appetite
for the past fortnight almost refusetll
food"
"What doth all Josiah?' Simon asked
with interest.
| mo one can say" she answered,
"but metlIinks tits the sight of so much
wicked vanity and worldly display that
our cousin hath seen fit to bring into
this hitherto reverent village that hath
upset Josiah. All, lackaday, such
scenes as we perforce must witness!
| Why, just tonight in going to the vii
| iage took the short path through the
| Maryland farm, and there before the
door sat this papist lover of Margaret
in a suit of lavender satin trimmed
with gilt neetllework, stringing II Lutte,
and she, standing by with her hand on
| his shoulder, was hummng the air of
some French song. Both were so in
tent upon their wicked music that they
] did not even see me, Mnrgaret's aunt.
Such a sight sickened me, and la
mented my slothfulness in taking the
short way. 10 be constant eyewit-
ness Of such foolishness. as perforcc
Josiah is, can ne'cr help grieving him.
| Prithee, pioIs, God fearing man, as
he Is well known to be, feels Il respon-
sibility for his Cousins soul and re-
sents her cool and braZen determine
ton to go her evil way"
"Nay, good DAME" Simon ventured
to reassure her, "thou must ha' no
fears for the loss of Mistress Maylands
soul, for l warrant thee that the spirit
that must dwell i'll such a beautiful
body could ne'er find else but Il place
in heaven"
"Therc, that is the way WI the men,"
cried the woman angrily-"ever seeing
outward signs, which are devils snarcs,
and attributing them to the work of
the good Lord"
Her eyes, glaring around wrathfully,
Glanced to catch glimpse of the roses
dangling from Hetty's little knot of
black hair, which that maid in her
pleasure at Simon's gift had entirely
Is q
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