The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-11-14


 weeds and cultivating weeds for vege- tables. But that was islander. The dan ger was not that they would not become good farmers, but that they would cease 10 be anything else.
 Thus the summer was wearing on in rather unsatisfactory manner, when one day, returning from the potato field, Coverdale and Hollingsworth came face to face with old Noodle, lettering in the road In his languid, listless manner Noodle greeted the two Arcadians as old acquaintances. and asked news of Pris- eilla; was she well, and did Zenobia treat her kindly? Your little girl has improved wonderfully" answered Hol- lingsworth, '1s happy and has a bloom on her checks" And does Zenobia love herr" "I should think so-they are all ways together" Like a gentlewoman and her handmaid, fancy?" suggested the old man. Rather like an elder and a younger sister," corrected Hollings- worth My little Priscilla with a bloom on her cheeksp' unused Noodle. I fear
 
 come to the house, gentlemen but I should like to see them together"
 They led him to a turn of the road which commanded a view of the house, and there at an open window stood Ze- nobia, with Priscilla at her side. As the old man gazed, Zenoba, seized with one of her sudden ebullltions of anger, pushed Priscilla roughly from her. Old Noodle turned and went away shaking his head.
 Soon after there was another visitor to Blithedale, whose appearance there great ly disturbed Coverdale. Coverdale was alone in a woodland path when he was accosted by Professor" Westervelt, the man who had managed the performances of the Yelled Lady. Westervelt was still young, apparently about 30, and as hand some man as the poet had ever seen. Yet there was something in his counte- nance which excited an aversion-almost fierce hatred-in the poet. He could hardly define it, but there was an in- decorum in it, kind of rudeness hard coarse. putting-forth freedom of express sion. Not that 1t was vulgar, but he had no fineness of nature. There was in his eyes (although they had enough artifice of another sorD a naked exposure of something that ought not to be left prom inent. People who have least of this ex- precision can best understand what Cover dale saw in the mans face. He was well and fashionably dressed, his beard and mustache, as we'll as his hair, were jet black. his eyes black and sparkling and his teeth dazzling white.
 The man introduced himself and in quired concerning zenobia. Coverdale an- swered him shortly-almost rudely. Wes- terFelt said that he desired to See her on some business, peculiar, personal and private" He would not call at the house. as he fancied that an incident such as a visit from him would tend to create spec ulation and gossip. Where would he be likely to encounter Zenobia, as she walked in the woods and fields? Coverdale told him briefly of a spot much frequented by Zenobia when she desired to be by herself and left him abruptly.
 Soon after, as the poet was lying in a secluded nest he had made for himself and his meditations in the boughs of a grapevine-covered tree Zenobia and the professor passed together beneath him talking earnestly together Zenobia's s manner expressed scorn and loathing for the man beside her, and she drew back her dress as if fearful that even the hem of her garments should come in di- rect contact with him. Why not fling the girl off and let her go?" Westervelt was saying; "she will trouble you in more ways than one" "She clung to me from the first and can do me no harm,' re- piled Zenobia For answer Westervelt said something in whisper at which Zenobia with an expression of horror, cried out: With what kind of a being am l linked? If my Creator cares aught for my soul let Him release me from this bond" And as they passed on the woman gave moan of agony as if her very heart was wrung.
 In 6 thickly wooded place on the farm was c great powder called Eliots Pulpit from tradition that from its summit the venerable apostle to the Indians used to hold forth to his congregation of red men. It became the custom for Zenobia, Priscilla, Hollingsworth and Coverdale to assemble there on Sunday afternoons and at the request of his companions, Hol- lingsworth used frequently to ascend the