Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-08-07
A FROST AND
 A THAW
By ELLIOT WALKER
Copyright, by Joseph 5. Bowles.) )

simply can't endure him any longer"
 Under the scanty gray hair. brushed mercilessly back from the anxious brow, her eyes. strained, fixed and hopeless. presently roved with slow despair from the yellow-painted ceil- ing to the clean, worn dresser, where stood the shining tins in readiness for the mornings milk. Dropping her hand. Dorcas gazed at them queerly.
 Forty years I've flied pans right here. Oh! what ain't done right here? Stood and worked, and thought. and planned, laughed aud cried, happy and mis'rable, summer and winter. rain and shine. Lord! Lord! Lord!" She clasped her forehead. groaning bitterly, with no tears, unconsciously counting the well-used household im- plements hanging neatly on their nails, and the array of canisters and small spice-boxes on the shelf. "To drop dead would be mercy" she whispered. If I dared-' Picking up keen-edged bread knife, the woman patted the sharp point with a finger. smiling grimly while she poked her corset ribs.
 If had heart, 'twould be about here, s'pose. Pshawl That's no way. If you get to thinkin' of that No! While the fits on me I'll tell him. Just as am, I'll go out to the barn and tell him I'm goin'. From his actions lately, he ought to be willin' enough. My soul! when did it all start, and what for? It's like a wall of ice, beginnin' with drop and growth, growth, till we're froze apart as wide as the poles. He knows it. I know 1t. It's beyond ever meltin'. Nothin' to do but one thing"
 . Across the yard, unmindful of the dew still soaking the uncut grass and the fact of her low heel-trodden slip pers, Mrs. Cope marched stolidly. blind to the early sunshine, deaf to her favorite robins, intent only upon the words burning in her brain.
 "I'll be cool and calm" she kept saying. mumbling her lower lip. "l'll say, 'Beecher, what's the use? If there's any comfort left on earth for i either of us we'll never find 1t togeth- err And he'll say-well-not much. I guess. Why no need of luggin' this knife out here." she added. surprised ly. T thought put 1t Gown." The great barn door stuck and creaked dismally as Dorcas squeezed through, pushing an aperture sufi- ciently wide to allow ingress for her narrow figure. He's in here some where" she said to herself. with an added irritation at the delay, as she peered about. "The cows ain't out yet. Whats that ladder doin' there? Whats A
 A low. dreadful cry burst from her. Then she went up the ladder like a mad creature. bent over beam and .slashed with the bread knife.
 Beecher Cope fell heavily in heap. Half sliding. half dropping. his wife descended with perilous agility. few to him, tore the moose from his neck. rolled him over and sank to her knees.
 Mir. Cope was very much alive. albeit somewhat purple and greatly shame faced and dismayed. His rope had not been properly aL.usted. Having tied his feet and hands with strong twine, he was undergoing slow and pain full process of strangulation, with no power to expedite matters. when his better half had appeared on the scene.
 Gasplng a few times. he cleared his throat for speech.
 "Dorcas Cope. don't you never let on! Cut them strings and Il get up."
 Promise me you'll never try this ag'in! If not. I'll leave you tied, Beecher Cope. I'll call in the neigh bors-I'll-"
 The Lord hearin' me. I've had enough, Dorcas."
 Her face was like a white flint as she shipped the bonds. helped him stagger stifiy to his feet, and took his arm.
 Come right in the house, Beecher," she said. quietly.
 Tn, stern-featured old man walked suhmissive.y by her side. He had not trembled at the prospect of death, but nov he shuddered. leaning against the woman with his head lowered. ..
 You druv me to It. he grunted az grsssively.
 "How?'
 T dunno how. I can't tell; but you did. For ten years you've been drivin' me to 1t. Dorcas-I couldn't stand it another day"
 "aumph." Mrs. Cope's throaty ex- eiamation was hardly distinct.
 They reached the kitchen. The half prepared breakfast vas on the range.
 "set down. said the woman strangely. Drink this cup of hot tea. Throat hurt youf"
 -N-o-no. not much. Kind of choky'
 He gulpet the beverage and he,d out his cup for more Dorcas sat and slipped hers.
 Nov then.- she said
 Cope sfrsightened up. -Dorcas." hs began, shskily, nave 1 eve- scolded you. or ben mean CT overbear,n', rr,wr-ss | uos rnrs uha*