Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1905-11-17


garding the young woman affectionate-
", his eyes glistening with admiration
Of her fresh beauty.
Under the warmth Of his glance Het-
ty. flushed slightly. Mother would be
angered an she saw them" she said.
For a time a silence fell between
them, both looking out Of doors at the
peaceful night.
Then Simon observed: "At home now
when I sit before the door alone o
nights I look at my bushes hanging
full of rose blossoms and think how
woman about the house could make
good use O. them to beautlfy herself.
As It's" with sentimental sigh and q
nervous wriggle, ''they wither and die
away, the petals blown hither ana
thither by the wind"
Under the glimmer Of the candle bis
round face wore pensive expression.
Hetty tossed leT head as II she did
not understand e..sher look or meaning,
exclaiming with disinterestcd friendli'
ness: There's Sarah Ann Dugaine, 81
mon. She maketh her boasts on her
love for flowers. Happen thou could
get her to wear thy blossoms"
Kempster shook his head.
"T' truth, my mind dwelt not on good
Sarah" he said. signing again. NAY,
Hetty, tits thoughts O. some one else
that doth disturb my peace-a little
black eyed maid as pretty and as
graceful as-as"-
Hetty, who had been listening to
his words with an alert, suspicious
look on her face, grew quite fldgety as
she saw him mentally casting about
for suitable comparison.
Now, Simon, thou hadst best be
CAREFUL she cried hastily in voice Of
warning.
At her words the enthusiasm on
Kempster's countenance faded away.
II was but thinking on my little young
heifer, Hetty, SO lost the run O my
words" he concluded lamely.
There, 1 knew itw she exclaimed
angrily. "Thou vast going to COM
pare me 10 thy neiIer!
She sprang from her seat and, hastily
pulling in the window easement, said
sharply, with no desire to conceal her
pettishness: III 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 fat
teries was always mystery to him,
80 he scratched his forehead nervous
". knowing that he had offended again
unwittingly and wishing from his
heart that he had not come, when the
reason of his visit occurred to him.
Approaching his companion, he thrust
his hands awkwardly into his breeches
pocket and, pulling out little packet,
handed it to her.
",Tis trinket for thee, Hetty."
J A hot flush was on his face. There
vast peddler at the Sign Of the Red
Heart a-selling them, and when l saw
the gewgaws thought at 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 II
on the end Of her finger, dazed ex-
preston in her eyes; then she laughed
low, trilling, happy laugh.
"Thou didst buy it 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, Simon!'
Hetty, dangling the chain and heart
before the light Of the candle, blushed
furiously. "Must do foolish things like
spending thy money for trinkets for
cross patch maid who e'er finds fault
with thee wi'out adding on thy silly
nonsensew
"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 an I'm all a-fuster with sur
PRISE
He sprang to her assistance, taking
the ends Of the chain from her small
hands.
"Ah, lackaday," she continued In
lower voice, II must wear 1t meath my
kerchief, ween, as mother. is 20 wrath
full at body's wearing gewgaw. 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! TITS motherw
They sprang apart. Hetty sank into
q chair, hastily covering up the chain
and pendant, and Simon, bending over
an open Bible, turned over the pages
slowly, as If intent on looking for GER
tain verse.
Mrs. Taunston entered, closing the
door after her. Good even, Simon
Kempster. The night air groweth
chill"
"A fair greeting, good mistress"
Simon pushed chair toward her.
"Yestermorn Josiah told me that some
Of thy lambs were III, and / did but
stop in to see If they were better OF the
malady."