Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1905-06-21


when the heavy mist lay thick and
white over the meadows, and the houses
and trees We're but indistinctly defined
in the cloudy atmosphere, young Simon
kempster, his round face beuming
with an eXpectant look of happiness,
came across Il meadow near the Taun-
ston farmhouse. suddenly the sweet
notes of woman's voice carolng
gayly fell on his ears. Raising his
head, he listened, then with quick
motion vaulted lightly over the stilc
and almost over Mistress Hetty Taun-
ston, who at that instant passed in his
direction from behind a clump Of trees
with n pail Of fresh milk in each hand
Thou stupid Simon!" she cried out,
greatly vexed. with thy awkward,
numbering ways thourt enough to
frighten one into fit. See, now, all
the good milk spilled upon the ground
and three cows gone dry since yester-
morn! An look, my clean frocs is all
bespattered! All, lackaday, it's well
for me my mother is from home, since
l would never hear the end O. her dis
| plcasurc!"
Kempstcr. greatly abashed, turned
from white to red and back to white
again, shifting on his feet uneasily.
Forgive me, gentle Mistress" he
said contritcly. Thou didst come so
lightly, like Il little gray shadow of the
mist, that was upon thee ere saw
thee"
To-day n gray shadow and t'other
eve as sweet and wholesome as a
fresh new cheese" she replied petu-
lantly. ~ like not thy comparisons,
Simon Kempster."
In silence lie 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 l say or do, i ne'er can
please thee, Hctty," he observed re-
proachfully rs they walked along.
"'Tfs 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 tlou'rt Oh
thy farm among thy cows and chick
ens," the maid retortcd, although the
red in her cheeks had deepened ut his
| earnest words. "Forsooth, thou canst
see beauty in naught else but thy but
ter, thy cheeses or the last new calf
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 Il
pert toss of her head.
II have room in my mind and in my
heart for thee, sweet Hetty," he re-
piled soberly, land l would be happier
F.! could please thee better"
They We're 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 drenching At that moment
Josiah Taunston, astride his horse and
enveloped in 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 sees in that
threatens"
"Hndst not better eat before thou
goest, Josiah?"
NAY, I'll not wait" he replied. 1.-The
storm is upon us now. Happen I'll
take Il snatch ut Haggott's. We will
ride in late. Keep Il good watch Oh 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 u persuasive smile on his
fair countenance.
GAS 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 warn thee if thou doth
prate Of nothing but thy farmyard
wonders, thy Cummings and thy chick.
ems shall send thee on thy way most
speedily"
Then as she saw his happy face
lengthen with sobcrness 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.
ed to pour the frothy liquid into the
pans that lay in rows on the well
scrubbed table, her companion stand
Ing silently ut her side admirlng visit
fully the graceful turn OF the small
white wrists.
Having finished her task, tile young
woman lifted her eyes to Kempsters
face, with rogulsh raillery in their
bright glance.
"There," she exclaimed, sin my do
sire to fill the pans quickly did for
get to thank thee for carrying the milk
Dorsooth, good Simon. lay such bad
manners to thoughtlessncss rather than
an intent on my part to slight thee"
"IIetty"-lle stepped closer and caugh
her hand IN lis-'at times when thy
words sound trliing and thy mannc
seemetl hard and cold is't because tho,
dost not heed, that thourt only hi
thoughtless, or dost thou really fee
the aversion ofttlmes thy words an,
manner do espresso