Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1905-10-20

could please thee Detter.
They were startled by the patter OF
great drops of rain, and the wind, RS
ing with a 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 drenching. At that moment
Josiah Taunston, astride his horse anu
enveloped in a black storm cape, COM
ing around the corner from the parn'
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 fam return
before the heavy storm sets In that
threatens"
'Hadst not better eat before thou
goest, Josiah?"
"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 a persuasive smile on his
fair countenance.
~-@A4sy night doth approach an the
storm will be 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 II 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 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
ed to pour the frothy liquid into the
pans that lay in rows on the well
scrubbed table, her companion stand
ing silently at her side admiring visit
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, 'in 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"-he stepped closer and caught
her hand in his-"at times when thy
words sound trifling and thy manner
seemeth hard and cold is't because thou
dost not heed, that thOu'rt only bit
thoughtless, or dost thou really feel
the aversion ofttimes thy words and
manner do express"
She let her roguish glance turn into
q 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 l 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 Simon imagined that she
pressed his hand. "Who doth like me"
she continued pensively, ''perforce must
like them also, for SO long ha' we been
one naught now could separate u.s."
Simon, putting his disengaged hand
under her chin, lifted her face to his.
God knows I like thee, Hetty," he
said soberly, "an' thy words, hard or
tender, so glad am to hear them, fall
on my heart gently, like the rain on
<ha powIv GOWN seed "
Matters having grown too serious for
the trihing little maid, she drew away
hastily, exclaiming, with light laugh:
'Thy farmyard comparisons again, ST.
mon! Now, forsooth, my words are
like rain falling on thy crops"
It was several hours later when Mis-
tress Taunston on horseback, seated on
4 pillion behind her son, rode into the
farmyard. The storm had continued
TO grow heavier, and the rain was now
falling In torrents. Despite the heavy
cloaks they wore, the riders were
drenched to the skin as man, one OF
the farm hands, rubbing his eyes as II
Just reused from sleeping, opened the
barn door for them to enter.
Light the candle, Jacob, and 1 will
hold it while thy master doth put up
his horse" Mrs. Taunston ordered from
her high position. "There, that 10 well.
Now help me to alight."
When on the ground she lifted the
light and, following Josiah, who was
leading the horse to It's stall, paused
moment to dismiss the man.
ssr,hou canst 90 now, Jacob, to thy