The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1906-07-05
CHAPTER XIV.

mousse on JerlcnO ROAD, with
front door rusting on idle hinges and
blinds ever drawn. 1t was a hundred
feet or more from the highway, and in
summer there were flowers along the
path from its little gate and vines
climbing to the upper windows. In
winter it's garden was buried deep un.
der the snow. One family-the
vaughns-came once In awhile to see
'the two old maids" Few others ever
saw them save from afar. A dress
maker came once a year and made
gowns for them that were carefully
hung in closets, but never worn. To
many of their neighbors they were as
dead as IL they had been long In their
graves. Tales Of their economy, Of
their odd habits. of their past went
ever hill and dale to far places. They
lad never boarded the teacher and
were put in a panic when the trustee
same to speak of II.
"He's a grand young man. said he;
good company, and you'll enjoy It."
They looked soberly at each other.
According to tradition one was fifty-
four, the other fifty-fve years Of age.
An exclamation broke from the lips Of
one. 1t sounded like the letter ~"
whispered quickly.
"Yw the other answered.
1T might make match" said Mr..
Blount, the trustee. smiling.
"Yi Samuel Blountr said the young
er one, coming near and shifting him
playfully on the elbow. you stopw
Miss Letitia began laughing silently.
They never laughed aloud.
"If he didn't murder u.s." said Miss
Bmantha doubtfully.
Nonsense said the trustee. "Pll
answer for him."
Cant tell what men'll do" she per-
sisted weakly. "When was In Albany
with Alma Haskins a man came long
an tried to pass the time O. day with
us. We jes' looked t'other way an
didn't preten' to hear him. It's awful
to think what might "a happened"
She wiped invisible tears with an
embroidered handkerchief. The dear
lady had spent good part Of her life
thinking of that narrow escape.
"If he want too particular" said
Miss Letitia, who had been laughing
at this maiden fear Of her sister.
"If he would mind his business We
we might take him for one week,
said Miss S'mantha. She glanced In
Quiringly at her sister.
Letitla and S'mantha Tower, "the
two old maids" had but one near rela
AlxrA T1.a n
same neighborhood. -
There were two kinds of people ID
PARKWAY, those that Ezra Tower spoks
to and those he didn't. The latter were
of the majority. AS forswearer oi
communication he was unrivaled. Hill
Imagination was very slaughter
house, In which oil who crossed hin
were slain. II they were passing hs
looked the other way and never ever
saw them again. Since the probate ol
his fathers will both sisters were oI
the number never spoken to. He wal
q thin, tall. sullen, dry and dusty man
Dressed for church Of Sunday, h
looked as II he had been stored yea
In some neglected cellar. His broad
cloth had dingy aspect, his hair ant
beard and eyebrows the hue Of cob
web. He had voice slow and rusty.
look arid and unfruitful. Indeed,
seemed as II the fires Of hate and env.
had burned him out.
The two old maids, feeling the dis
grace of It and fearing more, ceased t
visit their neighbors or even to pas
their own gate. Poor Miss S'manth
tell into the deadly mire Of hypochor
uria. She often thought herself yer
Ill and sent abroad for every medicin
advertised In the county paper. Sh
had ever a faint look and thin, sicl
ty voice. She had the man fear
deep distrust of men-never ceasing
be on her guard. In glrlhood she ha
been to Albany. Its splendor and tn
reckless conduct OF one Alma Haskin'
companion Of her travels, had bee
ever since day-long perennial topi
of her conversation. Miss Letltia wa
more amiable She had playful
CHEEKY heart In her. mlnclng and PR
else manner and sweet voice. Whi
with the cleaning. dusting and pr
serving they were ever busy. d.
driven hither and thither. fell Of o.
haustion II not disabled with broom
They were two weeks getting ready Il
the teacher. When at last he can
that afternoon supper was ready. an
they were nearly worn out.
Here he is!' one whispered SUI
denly from a window. Then. with
last poke at her hair. Miss Letitia a
mitted the teacher. They spoke the
greeting in a half whisper and stot
near. waiting timidly for his coat al
cap.
"No, thank you" said he. takii
them to nail. II can do my ow
hanging, az the man said when he cor
united suicide"
Miss s'mantha looked suspicious al
walked to the other side Of the stow
Impressed by the silence Of the rooI
much exaggerated by the ticking Of 4
clock, Sidney Trove sat q nome
looking around him. Daylight had B
gun to grow dim. The table. with
cover of white linen. was a thing
give one Joy. A ruby tower Of jell
q snowy summit of frosted cake, r
pond Of preserved berries. a mound
chicken pie and corduroy marsh
mince, steaming volcanoes Of new b
cult and great heap uf apple fr
tiers lay in setting Of blue ohir