Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1905-05-11
Author of "In Love and

W uGA A+A'N A>A.' sAA-NA go .
white over thc meadows, aui TIE houses
and trees were but in'iistinctiy defined
in the cloudy atmosphere. young Simon
Kempster, his round face beaming
with an expectant look OF happiness,
cane across a meadow near the TGun-
notes OF a woman's voice caroling
gayly fell on his ears Raising his
head, he listened, then with n quick
motion vaulted lightly over the stile
aud almost over Mistress Hetty Taun-
ston, who at that instant passed in his
direction from behind a clump of trees
with a pail of fresh milk in each hand.
Thou stupid Simon she cried out,
greatly vexed with thy awkward,
numbering ways thou'rt enough TO
frighten one into a ft! See, now, all
the good milk spilled upon the ground,
and three cows gone dry since yester-
morn. An look, my clean frock Is all
bespnttered, All, lackaday, tbs well
for me my mother Is from home, since
would never hear the end O. her dis
pleasurev'
Kempster, greatly abashed, turned
from white to red and back to white
again, shifting on his feet uneasily.
Forgive me, gentle Mistress" he
said contritely. Thou didst come so
lightly. like little gray shadow of the
mist, that l was upon thee ere 1 saw
thee"
To-day "a gray shadow and t'other
eve 'as sweet and wholesome as a
fresh new cheese" she replied petu-
lantly. II like not thy comparisons,
Simon Kempster."
In silence he picked up the half
emptied pals that she had set upon the
ground, and they started down the long
lane that led to the Taunston farm
house together.
Whatever / say or do, / ne'er can
please thee Hetty," he observed re-
proachfully as they walked along
"'Tis one day that my ways are
clumsy and t'other that my words are
coarse. What can l DO or say that
would win thine approval? For my
happiness doth depend on thy smiles
and favor, Hetty."
"Thou'rt happy only when thourt on
thy farm among thy cows and chick
ens," the maid retorted, although the
red In her cheeks had dsepened at his
earnest words. "Forsooth, thou canst
see beauty in naught else but thy but
ter, thy chooses or the last new cali
or lamb that doth bleat about thy
dooryard What room hath thou In
thy mind for thoughts O. pleasing a
silly maid?" she concluded, with q
pert toss OF her head.
81 have room in my Md and In my
heart for thee, sweet Hetty," he re-
piled soberly, land 1 woul1 be happier
could 1 please thee better"
They were startled by the patter OF
great drops of rain, and the wind, ris-
ing with loud howl, caught up Het-
tvs light skirts and tossed her soft
hair roughly over her face. Without
stopping for more reproaches or ex'
plantations, they made what haste they
could toward the house, reaching the
long shed that projected from over the
door of the dairy just in time to es-
cape a drenching. At that moment
Josiah Taunston, astride his horse and
enveloped In a black storm cape. COM
ing around the corner from the barn,
caught sight OF them.
Good even, Simon Kempster." He
spoke without smiling, in the stern
manner habitual to him. 'Hetty, go
now to fetch our mother, who sent me
word by Brother Sparrow that the
Lord In his wisdom had seen fit to take
good Mistress Haggott, whom our
mother hath been nursing for the last
few days, and she would fain return
before the heavy storm sets In thGt
threatens"
"Hadst not better eat before thou
goest, JosiahT'
Nay, I'll not wait" he replied. THE
storm is upon us now. Happen I'll
take snatch at Haggott's. We will
ride in late. Keep good watch on the
house, Hetty."
Urging forward his horse, he rode
rapidly away. and as the last sounds
Of hoofs pounding the ground passed
beyond their hearing Simon turned to
Hetty with q persuasive smile on his
fair countenance.
"As night doth approach an the
storm will be a rough one, with moi
some high Winds" he said, "methinks
'twould be right fearsome. for thee to
sit alone"
Hetty appeared to deliberate the
question carefully.
Happen thou had better stay
awhile" she said, with affected indif-
ference, "but 1 warn thee If thou doth
prate Of nothing but thy farmyard
wonders, thy churnings and thy chick
ems l shall send thee ON thy way most
speedily"
Then as she saw his happy face
lengthen with soberness and a look
Of distress come into his eyes that told
her that he could not understand what
he lacked in his efforts to please her
she added more kindly, But, prithee,
enter Simon, an in passing do me the
favor to bring in the milk"
He lifted the pals with alacrity, and
Hetty, taking them from him, proceed
cd to pour the frothy liquid into the
pans that lay In rows on the well
scrubbed table, her campanion stand
ing silently at her side admiring wist-
fully the graceful turn Of the small
white wrists.
Having finished her task, the young
woman lifted her eyes to Kempster's
face, with roguish raillery in their
bright glance.
There" she exclaimed, Sin my de-
sire to fill the pans quickly l did for
get to thank thee for carrying the milk.
Forsooth, good Simon, lay such bad
manners to thoughtlessness rather than
an intent on my part to slight thee"
"Hetty"--hs stepped closer and caught
her hand In his-"at times when thy
words sound triflng and thy manner
seemeth hard and cold is't because thou
dost not heed, that thou'rt only a bit
thoughtless, or dost thou really feel
the aversion ofttimes thy words and
manner do express?"
She let her roguish glance turn into
u kindly one and allowed her hand to
remain in his as she answered softly:
"Some apples, Simon, that are tart to
the taste are sound at the core. Thou
farmer, must / teach thee that? And
for my words and ways, they are part
OF me that, added all together, make
the whole"
She turned away her head, signing
gently, and Sipon imagined that she
ad hfa hand HWh0 doth like me -