Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1906-08-11
A FROST AND
a THAW
BY ELLIOT WALKER

The end is comm" she muttered
behind the tightly closed fingers Il
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 a slow
despair from the yellOw-painted cell
ing to the clean, worn dresser, Were
stood the shining tins in readiness fer
the mornings milk Dropping her
hand, Dorcas gazed at them queerly.
Forty years I've filed pans right
here Oh! what amt ! done right
here? Stood and worked, and thought,
and planned, laughed and cried, happy
and miserable, summer and winter,
rain and shine: Lord! Lord! Lord"
She clasped her forehead, groanins
bitterly, with no tears, unconsciously
counting the well-used household i'm
plements hanging neatly on their
nails, and the array of canisters and
small spice-boxes on the shelf 'To
drop dead would be a mercy" she
whispered. If l dared
Picking up a keen edged bread knife,
the woman patted the sharp point
with finger, smiling grimly while
she poked her corset ribs.
If | had heart, 'twould be about
here, | s'pose. Pshaw. That's no
way. If you get to thinkiB 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. Ny soul! when did it all
start, and what for? It's like a wall
of ice, beginnin' with drop and
CROWN CROWN till we're froze apart
as WIDE as the poles. He knows it. l
know it. 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 ner low heel-trodden slip
pers, Mrs Cope marched stoliaiy.
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. ''Pn
say, 'Beecher, what's the use? If
there's any comfort left on earth for
either of us We'll never find it togeth-
err And he'll say-well-not much, l
guess. Why no need of luggin' this
knife out here she added, surprised
ly. Il thought | put it GOWN
The great barn door stuck and
creaked dismally as Dorcas sque ozed
through, pushing an aperture srff1-
GENTLY wide to allow ingress for her
narrow figure. Hes in here some
where, she said to herself, with an
added irritation at the delay, as she
peered about. ''The COWS ain't OFT
yet What's that ladder doin' thare?
What s."
low, dreadful cry burst from her
Then she went up the ladder like a
mad creature, bent over a beam and
slashed with the bread knife.
Beecher Cope fell heavily in a 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.
Mr. Cope was very much alive, albeit
somewhat purple and greatly shame
faced and dismayed. His rope had not
been properly adjusted. Having tied
his feet and hands with strong Irvine,
he was undergoing a 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 II 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 white flint as
she shipped the bonds, helped him
stagger stif1y to his feet, and took his
arm.
Come right in the house, Beecher,'
she said, quietly.
Tho stern-featured old man walked
submissive.y by her side. He had not
CIChlUICu dI CuG pIOSp6CI Ol Q6dID, out
now he shuddered, leaning against the
woman with his head lowered
"You druv me to it," he grunted ag-
excessively.
"How?"
Il dunno how I can't tell; but you
did. For ten years you've been drivin'
me to it, Dorcas-I couldn't stand it
another day"
"Humph!" Mrs. Cope's throaty ex-
clamation was hardly distinct
They reached the kitchen The half
prepared breakfast was on the range.
"Set down." said the woman.
strangely. Drink this cup of hot tea.
Throat hurt your"
"N-o-nO, not much. Kind of
chOky
He gulped the beverage and held
out his cup tor more. Dorcas sat and
slipped hers.
Nov then" she said
Cana iob+ sGDox.-.a ,,